Mindfulness and free improvisation : a holistic approach to cultivating creativity and awareness
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Rachael Lynn Keplin (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Scott Rawls
Abstract: This document shares a holistic teaching approach to free improvisation by integrating mindfulness and conventional free improvisation teaching strategies. Within current yet limited resources for teaching free improvisation, none incorporate mindfulness practices—a pivotal aspect of my own journey as a free improviser. At its core, the primary research question that guided this study is: “What methods exist for teaching free improvisation?” My investigation into existing literature, instructional materials, and pedagogical approaches uncovered two significant areas of insight. First, an examination of expert Western classical improvisers revealed five distinct categories of improvisation teaching strategies. Second, an observation of notable free improvisation pedagogues (including Pauline Oliveros and Fred Frith) provides a pedagogical and philosophical framework for free improvisation teaching. These two studies provide a theoretical framework for my analysis of free improvisation teaching resources by Jeffrey Agrell, Marilyn Crispell, Sarah Stiles, Alice Kanack, and Nicole Brockmann. Each resource was contextualized through the five strategy categories established by the expert Western improvisers. Beyond a detailed analysis of these texts, two suggested mindfulness resources from Jon Kabat-Zinn and Rick Rubin are discussed and applied to themes in free improvisation teaching. Consequently, I advocate for the integration of mindfulness strategies as a transformative means to deepen the free improvisation journey. This study introduces a blended teaching sequence that harmonizes free improvisation techniques with mindfulness practices, offering a contemporary and enriched approach to the teaching and learning of free improvisation. Keywords: free improvisation, mindfulness, free improvisation teaching
Mindfulness and free improvisation : a holistic approach to cultivating creativity and awareness
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Created on 5/1/2024
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2024
- Keywords
- Free improvisation, Mindfulness, Free improvisation teaching, Pedagogy