Improvisation: Parallels between music & art
There are so many parallels between art and music making. Improvising is one of those experiences.
Recently I attended a jazz vocals and guitar workshop at the Paris Cat Jazz Club in Melbourne. Musicians and singers came together from all stages of life and background to develop our skill as performers and accompanists.
I studied jazz at university but hadn’t really used my ‘jazz chops’ in a long time, so for me, this was a return back to something I loved and wanted to develop- a muscle that wasn’t as strong as it used to be.
Picture this- you learn a song in a group. Then, you get paired with a guitarist and you need to not only perform that song, but within it, you have the opportunity to improvise, to veer from the melody and create something entirely new. All in front of some brilliant musicians and singers! Terrifying? Slightly. Fulfilling? 100%.
This really got me thinking about how much learning how to paint and improvising are very similar.
Over the last few years, I have poured over art courses, books and videos; taken part in 100 day challenges, asked for feedback and advice from other artists. Which is all very necessary and part of acquiring a skill. Getting better at something takes work and time. There are no real short cuts.
But as you grow, you begin to step into a space where you don’t know what will happen, until you’re actually in the middle of it.
It’s a place where you’re not so much ‘in your head’. You’re not judging every little moment or stopping mid way because you’re second guessing yourself. A place where you are ok with imperfect brushstrokes (imperfect actually makes something so much more authentic by the way!) It’s just like improvising as a singer.
Maybe something didn’t go to plan and it’s sent you off in a trajectory that you didn’t expect. Bob Ross calls these moments ‘happy accidents’.
These are the moments where you discover you have things inside you that can’t be unlocked by thinking more or trying harder.
It’s a sacred place that shows you who you are in that moment. It can both point back to your influences, a memory; and it can act as a compass to direction you where you need to go. It is a truly remarkable space.
Recently I was vocal coaching a student who experimented with improvisation. It was so inspiring to see them try something new and willing to risk making a mistake.
This process can start off easy, just one little diversion from what you normally do. For my students, I get them to start simple so we build can a strong foundation. This helps them build trust with themselves.
Do you improvise? Or is it something you’d like to try?
Love to hear your thoughts and experiences with this.
Peace & Love,
Elissa
