improvisation Hear it!

improvisation Definition

im·provi·sa·tion (im präv′i zās̸hən, im′prə vi-)

noun

  1. the act of improvising
  2. something improvised

improvisation Related Forms
im·prov′i·sa·tional adjective
improvisation Synonyms

improvisation

n.

improvising, extemporization, ad-libbing*, ad-lib*, impromptu creation, spontaneous creation, makeshift device, stopgap, making do, playing it by ear*, jamming*, lick*; see also discovery 2, resort 1.

improvisation Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • combine: Danny has a unique style that combines stand-up, improvisation, story telling, audience participation and the odd bit of magic.
  • teach: He is a pianist, organist, and viola player, and teaches piano improvisation.
  • lead: Initially a minor role, Sellers hilarious improvisations led to the part being expanded and it was a monster hit.
  • perform: It was a work of improvisation performed with a double quartet.
  • suggest: The most important feast of the year seemed to suggest a more extended improvisation.

Preposition: on

  • theme: Lennox BERKELEY, Improvisation on a theme of Manuel de Falla, for piano.

Adjective modifier

  • spontaneous: Beware groups who try to plan out their scenes - that ceases to be spontaneous improvisation.
  • polished: Devise a short polished improvisation that uses the ideas you have discussed.
  • collective: The music is " loose swing " with a New Orleans feel for collective improvisation.
  • structured: The first one is a structured improvisation articulating sparse elements into a cold, detached organism.
  • vocal: The Jana Runnalls music section reflects her love of ceremonial chanting and drumming, vocal improvisation and shamanic journeying.
  • extended: The most important feast of the year seemed to suggest a more extended improvisation.

Modifies a noun

  • workshop: They also experimented with the techniques learned within an improvisation workshop.
  • technique: The music therapist is able, via clinical improvisation techniques, to reflect musically the emotions that a child may be feeling.

Noun used with modifier

  • jazz: His trumpet virtuosity set the standard for jazz improvisation for generations to come.
  • piano: Lawrence Ball's compositional heart is his piano improvisations numbering over 2000 recorded.
  • organ: I particularly liked the interplay between Petrucci's solid riff mid-section and Rudess ' Hammond organ improvisation in the gaps between the riffs.
  • dance: He then studied dance improvisation with some of the leading figures in post-modern dance.
  • guitar: Do there exist convincing alternatives to the transcription of the guitar solos or to venture upon new guitar improvisations?
  • drama: The CragRats ' drama improvisation centered on the difficult choice faced by a school in the throes of an Ofsted inspection.
improvisation Quotes

There's nothing that makes you so aware of the improvisation of human existence as a song unfinished. Or an old address book.

—McCullers, (Lula) Carson ne¤  e Smith