Research Catalog

Title

The art of becoming : how group improvisation works / Raymond A. R. MacDonald and Graeme B. Wilson ; foreword by George E. Lewis.

Author

MacDonald, Raymond A. R.

Publication

• New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2020]
• ©2020

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Wilson, Graeme B.
• Lewis, George, 1952-

Description

xxiii, 192 pages : illustrations; 22 cm

Summary

"With a focus on music, this book outlines what improvisation is and why it is an important creative and social activity. Drawing on the emerging psychological literature in this area, as well as evidence from authors' research with musicians, this text outlines innovative ideas on what defines improvisation and the psychological, creative and social processes involved. It explores the role of specialist skills, the importance of musical identities and the nature of understanding in improvised interaction and between improvisers. It discusses how we develop as improvisers and the role of improvisation within therapeutic applications of music. Each chapter proceeds from discussion of an illustrative instance of musical improvisation. Providing fresh and provocative insights for anyone interested in playing, studying, teaching or listening to improvised music, the authors offer suggestions for approaching this practice in new ways at any level, and identify potential developments in cross-disciplinary improvising. Asserting that everyone can and should improvise, the book provides a resource for courses teaching improvisation in contemporary practice, and has strong relevance for those applying musical improvisation in community and therapeutic contexts. The book deals with such questions as: What constitutes improvisation? Do all forms of improvisation represent the same thing? Faced with myriad possibilities, how do improvisers decide what to play? How does an improviser in a group know what the others will do? How might improvisation influence our wellbeing? In response to such questions, a definition of improvisation based on its unique behavioural features is set out as an exciting context for psychological investigation"--

Subjects

• Improvisation (Music)
• Improvisation (Music) > Psychological aspects
• Improvisation (Music) > Social aspects

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-187) and index.

Contents

Foreword : on the art of becoming -- Preface : a dancing star -- Improvisation and new frontiers in creative practice -- What's so special about Improvisation? -- Talking about Improvisation : constructing identities -- Stones, Clouds : a new model for improvising -- Distributed creativity and the myth of shared understanding -- A new virtuosity : improvising over time -- Improvisation and health : why improvising is good for you -- The way forward.

Call Number

JMD 21-106

ISBN

• 9780190840914
• 0190840919

LCCN

2019042456

OCLC

1121420501

Author

MacDonald, Raymond A. R., author.

Title

The art of becoming : how group improvisation works / Raymond A. R. MacDonald and Graeme B. Wilson ; foreword by George E. Lewis.

Publisher

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2020]

Copyright Date

©2020

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Creator/Contributor Characteristics

Authors: Gender group: Men

Authors: Nationality/regional group: Britons

Authors: Occupational/field of activity group: University and college faculty members

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-187) and index.

Added Author

Wilson, Graeme B., author.

Lewis, George, 1952- writer of foreword.

Other Form:

Online version: MacDonald, Raymond A. R. The art of becoming New York : Oxford University Press, 2020. 9780190840945 (DLC) 2019042457

Research Call Number

JMD 21-106