This is such a great question 👇
Many of my recorded compositions and pieces for live performance begin with open, free play and improvisation.
I treat it like a “getting to know you” session, where I’m discovering new sounds, techniques, or ideas… or rediscovering old sounds, techniques, or ideas.
Even on an instrument I’ve been playing for years, I love to start in this open place of improvisation, because I feel like there is ALWAYS more to hear / learn, and it helps to spark ideas and directions in my music I might otherwise miss.
A question I’m often asked is, how do you practice improvisation, while keeping it feeling spontaneous and new?
This is such a great question.
For a long time, I used to focus almost exclusively on building technique. And while that’s certainly an important aspect, over recent years my preparation has become less about “how perfectly can I repeat this series of events” and more about “how much TRUST can I build with myself and my instrument?”
When I tell people that I intentionally push to uncomfortable places in live performance, where the wheels are juuuuuust about to come off, they sometimes tell me I’m crazy. 😂
But those moments are magic.
Often, when I’m improvising live, I’ll have an idea or impulse to explore something, and I’ll have absolutely no idea how it’ll turn out or where it will lead. Sometimes, like in this video — I’m completely surprised (& delighted!) by where we land.
For me, at least, it’s the moments of leaping and risk-taking that make live performances unforgettable. It’s the moment when you and the audience are all getting to hear something new, together, for the first time…
So, if you’re interested in developing your practice as an improviser, a couple of questions you can bring into your practice sessions are:
“How can I listen to this instrument / myself in a completely NEW way today?”
“How can I make a sound/gesture that I’ve never heard before? (And where might it lead me?)”
PS: huge shoutout to @gastonsounds for building this beautiful and inspiring instrument. ❤️