Post by vikingblues on May 12, 2017 22:47:26 GMT
I feel a bit out on a limb with improvisation as so few players I encounter seem to appreciate its allure.
I just noticed an on-line article which outlined the main benefits of doing improv - perhaps an encouragement to have a go?:-
1) Helps train the ears.
2) Helps in recognizing patterns.
3) Encourages thinking ahead.
4) Allows for Self Expression.
5) Fosters creativity.
6) Improves mental health and reduce stress and anxiety.
7) Reinforces listening.
8) Fun and motivating.
I would agree that all of these apply in my case and that 6) and 8) are massive benefits.
Also on-line I saw:-
Research with pianists playing from memory or improvising while linked to an MRI scanner to monitor brain activity produced some interesting results.
"Specifically, a region of the top front part of the brain which is thought to be involved in problem-solving and conscious monitoring of our performance (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) quiets down during improvisation. Meanwhile, a central region in the very front-most part of the brain (medial prefrontal cortex) which seems to play a key role in self-expression and making up a story or describing a memory becomes more active."
"Taken together, it seems that deactivating the self-monitoring, evaluating part of our brain frees us up to be more creative and allows us to spontaneously produce unplanned, novel musical ideas and gestures which might otherwise be inhibited."
That final sentence hit home when I read it. My playing from memory or sight reading, or indeed composition, is annoyingly very much inhibited and it makes improvisation such a more enjoyable way of spending my time playing a guitar. A shame for the listener perhaps as they have to suffer the disjointed aspects and mistakes that are part and parcel of my making it up as I go along.
*********************
Anyway I'd got fed up with testing the iRig Acoustic Stage last night and thought I'd like to have some fun and an improv, as my finger is now recovered enough from its injury. I thought I'd include the iRig at least in part, in the recording process. As each recording option has different things going for it I thought I'd combine a few at once. I think the result of the three methods I combined is better than any of the three on their own.
DADGAD Phrygian Improvisation. The Vintage VE200GG acoustic recorded on a Zoom H4n with the Zooms own mics PLUS the guitars own on Board Mic/Piezo blend PLUS the iRig (Warm Uncalibrated). No EQ adjustment or sound editing and no added reverb.
"Moonshine" - DADGAD Phrygian Improv
I really enjoyed losing myself in playing for the 5 minutes.
Mark
I just noticed an on-line article which outlined the main benefits of doing improv - perhaps an encouragement to have a go?:-
1) Helps train the ears.
2) Helps in recognizing patterns.
3) Encourages thinking ahead.
4) Allows for Self Expression.
5) Fosters creativity.
6) Improves mental health and reduce stress and anxiety.
7) Reinforces listening.
8) Fun and motivating.
I would agree that all of these apply in my case and that 6) and 8) are massive benefits.
Also on-line I saw:-
Research with pianists playing from memory or improvising while linked to an MRI scanner to monitor brain activity produced some interesting results.
"Specifically, a region of the top front part of the brain which is thought to be involved in problem-solving and conscious monitoring of our performance (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) quiets down during improvisation. Meanwhile, a central region in the very front-most part of the brain (medial prefrontal cortex) which seems to play a key role in self-expression and making up a story or describing a memory becomes more active."
"Taken together, it seems that deactivating the self-monitoring, evaluating part of our brain frees us up to be more creative and allows us to spontaneously produce unplanned, novel musical ideas and gestures which might otherwise be inhibited."
That final sentence hit home when I read it. My playing from memory or sight reading, or indeed composition, is annoyingly very much inhibited and it makes improvisation such a more enjoyable way of spending my time playing a guitar. A shame for the listener perhaps as they have to suffer the disjointed aspects and mistakes that are part and parcel of my making it up as I go along.
*********************
Anyway I'd got fed up with testing the iRig Acoustic Stage last night and thought I'd like to have some fun and an improv, as my finger is now recovered enough from its injury. I thought I'd include the iRig at least in part, in the recording process. As each recording option has different things going for it I thought I'd combine a few at once. I think the result of the three methods I combined is better than any of the three on their own.
DADGAD Phrygian Improvisation. The Vintage VE200GG acoustic recorded on a Zoom H4n with the Zooms own mics PLUS the guitars own on Board Mic/Piezo blend PLUS the iRig (Warm Uncalibrated). No EQ adjustment or sound editing and no added reverb.
"Moonshine" - DADGAD Phrygian Improv
I really enjoyed losing myself in playing for the 5 minutes.
Mark