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Free Improvisation as Experience: A pragmatic insight into improvisational gesture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2021

Kristin Kuldkepp
Kristin Kuldkepp*
Affiliation:
Research group ‘Kinetics in Sound and Space’, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
*
Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]
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Abstract

This article presents the possible proximity between the philosophical tradition of pragmatism and the present-day practice of free improvisation, a musical activity that enjoys its ambiguous nature of not being clearly defined, that is, however, of value to examine as a practice in its own rights. It is used in educational and compositional contexts as a tool, as well as being an established independent performance practice, albeit for a relatively small body of audience. The discussion is led through three concepts that are utilised by pragmatists, but which resonate with the concerns of free improvisers: experience, expressive object and gesture. Outlining these key ideas, the article sheds light on John Dewey’s and Giovanni Maddalena’s thoughts on aesthetics, which provide a perspective for examining these inherent issues of free improvisation. Through a philosophical examination, the article seeks to enlighten the performance processes of the musical phenomenon of free improvisation.

Type
Article
Information
Organised Sound , Volume 26 , Issue 1: The Sonic and the Electronic in Improvisation , April 2021 , pp. 100 - 109
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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References

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