If a musical piece has only chords written and no melody, does adding a random melody ‘on the fly’ during a performance constitute improvisation? Maybe. I thought so before this forum but now I realise it could be considered a composition since a framework, ie the chords, were already in place. I still like to think the idea of randomness is separate from improvisation. Certainly related, but separate nonetheless. This is all an interesting paradox, but one my brain can do without at the moment. My idea of improvisation is being given a task to do and making it happen with whatever limited means are available at that given time. That could mean to play a musical piece without any sheet music, to record a performance with limited equipment or to break out of prison with no more than a paper clip and a drinking straw.
Whittington, Stephen. 2007. Forum Workshop “Composition and Improvisation”. Forum presented at the University of Adelaide, 31th May.
Harris, David. 2007. Forum Workshop “Composition and Improvisation”. Forum presented at the University of Adelaide, 31th May.
No comments:
Post a Comment