Course: Improvisation in Global Context

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Course title Improvisation in Global Context
Course code KMU/IGK
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Šidlo Friedl Marian, PhDr.
Course content
1) Introduction to improvisation in a global context. 2) Overview of V. Matoušek's collection (introduction to ethno-organology). 3) Textures (monophony and polyphony). 4) Between composition and improvisation (inspiration for original work). 5) Variational and motivic improvisation. 6) Free improvisation (idiomatic, non-idiomatic, and collective improvisation). 7) Time, rhythm, and improvisation (form, cycle, pattern, pulse, subdivision, polyrhythm, microtiming). 8) Modal improvisation (drone-based music). 9) Chordal improvisation (chord scales). 10) Presentation 1 11) Presentation 2 12) Performance

Learning activities and teaching methods
Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Demonstration, Group work, Listening
  • Preparation for the Exam - 20 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 26 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 20 hours per semester
  • Semestral Work - 20 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 14 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Boundaries as inspiration, limitation, and challenge! What boundaries do we encounter in music, and does a thorough understanding of them grant us greater freedom of self-expression? Do we need boundaries at all, or is it better to remain unconstrained and create music of absolute freedom? Does "free music" truly exist, or is it merely a game we play with ourselves, for ourselves? Yet, if music fails to communicate with another, can it still be considered music? Under what circumstances does music communicate in a way that allows us to transcend the boundaries between people, cultures, space, and time? We will explore these and many other questions in the course *Improvisation in a Global Context*, where we will examine the improvisational approaches of diverse musical cultures, investigate the boundaries of both music and ourselves, experiment with various methods of real-time music creation, and play instruments from the V. Matoušek collection housed at the Department of Musicology at Palacký University Olomouc.
- an introduction to the fundamentals of improvisation in a global context - an introduction to selected ethnic musical instruments from both theoretical and practical perspectives
Prerequisites
Students are expected to: - participate actively during meetings (playing musical instruments, discussions, reflection) - complete preparatory work at home (original musical compositions, presentation preparation) - create a promotional video - maintain regular attendance (maximum of 3 absences per semester) - participate in the group performance

Assessment methods and criteria
Systematic Observation of Student, Seminar Work

1) A short presentation of a selected musical instrument and its associated tradition in the form of a promotional video (to be subsequently posted on the department's social media channels). 2) A joint final performance.
Recommended literature
  • CROOK, H. How To Improvise. An Approach To Practicing Improvisation..
  • LEVINE, M. The Jazz Theory Book..
  • MATOUŠEK, V. Rytmus a čas v etnické hudbě. 2003.
  • MONTAGU J. (2007). Origins and development of musical instruments..
  • NETTL, B. (et. al.). (2001). Excursions in World Music..
  • WADE, B.S. (2004). Thinking Musically..
  • WERNER, K. Mistrovství bez úsilí. 2020.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2024) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2019) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2022) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -