ATS2307 Creative improvisation in music practice

You will explore improvisation as a central practice in contemporary music-making. Improvisation has been at the heart of the development of music of many genres, and this unit provides an environment in which students of varied musical interests and backgrounds can explore the role and potential of improvisation in your own practice and developing artistic identity.You will examine key concepts and theories of improvisation, including creativity, interaction, trust, freedom, listening, and decision-making, and investigate how these ideas shape the ways in which musicians generate and develop musical material in real time.

Through practical workshops and collaborative music-making, you will explore improvisation as a process of musical dialogue in which performers respond to one another, make choices, and shape musical outcomes collectively. Emphasis is placed on attentive listening, responsiveness, and the confidence to explore musical ideas through experimentation and creative risk-taking.

The unit integrates conceptual understanding with musical practice. You will engage with theoretical perspectives on improvisation and apply them through collaborative performance, developing their ability to initiate ideas, respond to others, and shape musical form in the moment. While improvisation is explored primarily through music, the unit also recognises improvisation as a broader human activity that informs how we think, respond, socialise, and adapt in creative situations.