A Listener’s Guide to Free Improvisation
A Listener’s Guide to Free Improvisation
Corbett equips his reader for a journey into a difficult musical landscape, where there is no steady beat, no pre-ordained format, no overarching melodic or harmonic framework, and where tones can ring with the sharpest of burrs. In “Fundamentals,” he explores key areas of interest, such as how the musicians interact, the malleability of time, overcoming impatience, and watching out for changes and transitions; he grounds these observations in concrete listening exercises, a veritable training regime for musical attentiveness. Then he takes readers deeper in “Advanced Techniques,” plumbing the philosophical conundrums at the heart of free improvisation, including topics such as the influence of the audience and the counterintuitive challenge of listening while asleep. Scattered throughout are helpful and accessible lists of essential resources—recordings, books, videos— and a registry of major practicing free improvisors from Noël Akchoté to John Zorn, particularly essential because this music is best experienced live.
The result is a concise, humorous, and inspiring guide, a unique book that will help transform one of the world’s most notoriously unapproachable artforms into a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Reviews
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Preparing to Go into the Field
Range and Diversity
Fundamentals
Rhythm: The Hurdle
Duration: Another Hurdle
Basic Identification: Who Is Doing What?
Entrances and Exits: Mapping the Flow of Events
Interaction Dynamics: The Core
Dynamics Dynamics: Passive-Aggressive Improvising
Transitions: Observing How the Music Changes
Structure: The Butcher Shop
Personal Vocabulary: Each unto Themselves
Advanced Techniques
On Watching While Listening
Live or Memorex?
Kindling: 20 Starter Records for Your Improvised Music Collection
Once vs. Ongoing
The Level of Mystery
The Ambiguous and the Unresolved: Is Tony Dead?
The Rule of Threes
Dancing Between the Hypothetical Poles
Poly-Free
Kindling II: 20 Classic Poly-Free Records
Distraction and Sleep
Thinking and Chewing Gum (at the Same Time)
You and the Night and the Music: Audience Participation
Additional Reading: Seven Great Books (Plus One DVD)
A Little Rouge, a Touch of Blush
On the Moral Superiority of Improvised Music
Life List: A Selected Checklist of Major Living Free Improvisors
Be the first to know
Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!