Preface
Foreword
Chapter 1. Improvisation and new frontiers in creative practice
Chapter 2. What's so special about Improvisation?
Chapter 3. Talking about Improvisation
Chapter 4. Stones, Clouds: a new model for improvising
Chapter 5. Distributed creativity and the myth of shared
understanding
Chapter 6. A new virtuosity: improvising over time
Chapter 7. Improvisation and health: why improvising is good for
you
Chapter 8. The way forward
References
Raymond MacDonald is Professor of Music Psychology and
Improvisation at Edinburgh University. His ongoing research focuses
on issues relating to improvisation, musical communication, music
health and wellbeing, music education and musical identities. He
studies the processes and outcomes of music participation and music
listening and has a particular interest in collaborative
creativity. His work is informed by a view of improvisation as a
social,
collaborative and uniquely creative process that provides
opportunities to develop new ways of working musically.
Graeme Wilson is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Edinburgh.
He has research interests in the theory and practice of group
improvisation, and in musical participation to improve wellbeing.
He has published and lectured widely as a psychologist on
improvisation as well as on health, identities and discourse. He
leads the Concurrent network for the study of interdisciplinary
improvisation, initiated through a Network Grant from the Royal
Society of Edinburgh. A founding
member of Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and Glasgow Improvisers
Orchestra, he has toured internationally and his saxophone playing
features on over 30 CDs including his own quartet releases.
"The Art of Becoming is a delightful and inquisitive whirl through
the many layered worlds of improvisation. It offers keen insight on
the limitless possibility of improvisation as a community and
social practice. Highly recommended." -- Matana Roberts,
Musician
"Framed within a lifetime of professional practice, intellectual
reflection, and rigorous research, this seminal volume explicates
the mechanisms of group improvisation in ways that will inspire
musicians for generations to come." -- Gary E. McPherson, Ormond
Professor of Music, University of Melbourne
"Like an undeveloped piece of real estate, The Art of Becoming
beckons one to see the potential of improvised creativity in so
many forms. The relay, mapping the pass and run encounter of
improvisation, encourages and embraces the potentials of unique
individuality in sonic creative expression. No wrong paths here,
new arenas and happy accidents available to the keen listener and
explorer." -- Renèe C. Baker, PhD, Director, Chicago Modern
Orchestra Project
"An in-depth, lovingly crafted book, thoroughly researched and
accessible." -- Maggie Nicols, improvising vocalist
"The Art of Becoming by MacDonald & Wilson presents a wide ranging
discussion and analysis of the myriad ways in which improvisation
is currently viewed and approached by practitioners. Academic and
street wise by turns, this book makes a very brave attempt to
document the all and everything of an activity that by its nature
eludes systematic analysis." -- Evan Parker , improviser
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