| We all know what improvisational comedy is, but | | | | experienced musicians hit bad notes and it is possible |
| have you heard of improv music? Imagine music | | | | for the greenest player to come up with brilliance. |
| being played in the moment, coming directly from the | | | | Improv music isn't just for the musicians though, it |
| heart of each musician and flowing back and forth | | | | also has benefit for the listener. Due to the nature of |
| between the players and the audience. They say | | | | improvisation the music resulting is often of a mellow |
| that in improv comedy the truth often comes out | | | | and free-flowing style. The creative power that |
| from the player and this is also correct for improv | | | | flowed through the musicians who created it, also |
| music. | | | | flows to the listener. This type of music provides |
| There is no plan with improv music, no set of notes | | | | wonderful backdrop to creative tasks the listener |
| or chords to follow. The music evolves as is it being | | | | might want to accomplish, especially if the music is |
| played and is an end result of the musicians creating | | | | instrumental and allows the listener to drift into the |
| it. The instrumentation can be varied, it can be as | | | | creative groove without the need to comprehend |
| simple as a solo pianist or as all encompassing as a full | | | | words. |
| orchestra, although it is more difficult to create good | | | | The benefits of music therapy have long been |
| improv with many players. For anyone who has ever | | | | known to therapists the world around. Improvisational |
| been to a drum circle on the beach with 30 or so | | | | music imbibes all the creative power that the |
| drummers, you know what I mean. And those guys | | | | musicians put into it and the listener enjoys this |
| don't even need to worry about melody. | | | | creative harvest. As modern music listeners we have |
| The best improv music is usually created by a small | | | | all heard many styles of music and can usually figure |
| hand full of players. The most important aspect of | | | | out where something is going without much trouble. |
| good improv is that all the players listen to each | | | | The music we enjoy most is an in-between mix, with |
| other. Listening and often times watching each other | | | | some confirmation of expectations along with |
| will give them clues as to which way the music will go | | | | pleasant surprises, in a blend that is interesting rather |
| next. When each participant follows the flow of the | | | | than frustrating. |
| music, the best results are created. | | | | Good improv music can often be akin to a good |
| Improv music doesn't have to be only instrumental | | | | mystery novel, it is difficult to predict and yet it fits |
| either, some singers have the ability to invent on the | | | | together in a creatively logical way, so when we look |
| spot. This is true vocal improvisation. While other | | | | back on what we heard we say "yes, of course." |
| singers can improvise melody, but may have a cheat | | | | Improv can challenge our creativity and show us |
| sheet or two of previously written lyrics nearby to | | | | sides of ourselves we haven't seen before, while |
| help with the process. | | | | stimulating our inner muse. |
| The style of the improv will depend on the players in | | | | Listening to improvised music as a background |
| the group. Improv music can range from punk rockish | | | | soundtrack while we perform other tasks, be they |
| or experimental to ethereal or something similar to a | | | | artistic or not, can often increase our creative |
| movie soundtrack. Some of the most common | | | | powers. The same way improvisation for the theater |
| instruments used in modern improv are keyboards, | | | | builds creativity for the players and the audience, so |
| guitars and drums. As there is no beginning or end, | | | | does musical improv. Whether the person is actively |
| well at least none planned, these decisions are made | | | | involved or merely a listener, the benefit comes |
| moment by moment by the players. The best | | | | through. As we involve ourselves as listeners, the |
| improvisers know when to drop out and when to | | | | creative vibe originally created by the musicians now |
| jump in, no matter what instrument they are playing. | | | | flows through us. |
| The most important aspect in creating a good improv | | | | There is no plan in improv music and therein lies the |
| atmosphere is to creatively explore the music in a | | | | beauty. Some things in life can be experienced much |
| low-risk situation. The quality of the musicianship is | | | | more easily than explained. This is the case for |
| not as important as having a nurturing vibe for the | | | | improvisational music. The truth in improvisational |
| playing room. Relaxing into the music, rather than | | | | music is that the creative spirit needed to bring it into |
| worrying about the missed notes, will allow the | | | | being is within each of its players and listeners alike. |
| musician to listen and learn. Even the most | | | | |