Embodied musical improvisation: How the body fosters improvising groups

Abstract

This article explores the question of how the body is involved when improvising together in a group. Focusing on improvisational pedagogical practices, our interest lies particularly in the question in what ways the body empowers participation. With “Embodied participation in musical group improvisation” we are introducing a new model which allows for reflection on musical group improvisation. It also encourages a body-based perspective on improvisation in relation to the facilitation of participation. We illustrate our reasoning with examples from the ImproKultur project. In particular, we take a closer look at two approaches to musical group improvisation : body conducting and improvising with a chair, both as an object and as a musical instrument. Using these two quite different approaches to improvising in a group, we emphasise their specific aspects of embodiment.