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Looper's Delight
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This thread on abstract/concrete improvisation/composition is quite intriguing. The only "concrete" reference I think we can use is the dictionary definition, anything else is personal interpretation and there can be as many as there are people. Some definitions of abstract: Derived - Separated from matter - Ideal - One thing concentrating in itself the virtues of several - Extracted from.... There is plenty there to discuss. The fact that many people call abstract anything they can't understand is obviously wrong but, being quite common, it's probably worth looking at and must have a seed of meaning. According to the definition itself we should agree that all music is abstract, but then we can also all agree that it can be quite difficult to consider certain kinds of commercial music abstract. What are we left with but very personal and very arguable perceptions? Do we really need to define abstract or concrete music? I know of many artists, in music as well as performing and figurative arts, who became so concerned with extracting concepts from their work that almost ceased to produce work. If we look at improvisation and composition we could agree that improvisation can leave more space to abstract concepts. By its own nature improvisation is born out of the combination of the individual experiences and languages of the improvisers. A good improvisation happens when a number of musicians meet with an open mind, have something to express, are able to listen to each other and respond instantly and instinctively. The result is unpredictable like a lively discussion and can lead in any direction. The mood of the audience is crucial too, the ability to perceive those "abstract" elements that make up the whole. A composition can be intentionally abstract but only leaves a certain amount of space to the performers, the space to interpret the written material within the given boundaries, changing expression, adding emphasis. I have been an improviser for 30 (auch!) years and every time I rejoyce the surprise and emotion caused by hearing something new and unknown coming out of the combination of many musicians. The language resulting from the conversation between different instruments and idioms. That something special and totally abstract you can feel in the air when people are stretching their imagination and ability to dialogue with each other and there and then create music. Music that, in the best cases, can reach our emotions directly and be understood with no need for explanations. Roberto ______________________________________________ Roberto Battista http://www.robat.scl.net http://www.robat.scl.net/lectures/index.shtm Tel. 0044 020 8449 1995 Mobile 0775 960 4344 ______________________________________________ http://www.rustyrobot.com independent on-line music distribution, the music you can't find elsewhere, hybrid, eclectic, world, looped, unusual... ______________________________________________ http://www.robat.scl.net/html/tibet/tibet.shtm an exciting project on technology applied to mobile education for developing countries and remote locations... ______________________________________________