The Intersection of Improvisation and Composition: A Music Practice in Flux

View/ Open
Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Griswold, Erik
Other Supervisors
Bartleet, Brydie-Leigh
Year published
2011
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This exegesis traces the development and recording of a series of works for solo trumpet/laptop electronics, and medium sized ensemble integrating improvisation and live electronic processing. Through a reflective and intersubjective account of the creative process it develops a cultural context for
this activity based on my experience as a trumpeter/composer living and working in Australia while also
taking account of broad movements in contemporary music particularly in improvised forms. In addition,
it 'zooms in' on my personal biography focussing on my development as a musician through experiences
in brass bands and ...
View more >This exegesis traces the development and recording of a series of works for solo trumpet/laptop electronics, and medium sized ensemble integrating improvisation and live electronic processing. Through a reflective and intersubjective account of the creative process it develops a cultural context for this activity based on my experience as a trumpeter/composer living and working in Australia while also taking account of broad movements in contemporary music particularly in improvised forms. In addition, it 'zooms in' on my personal biography focussing on my development as a musician through experiences in brass bands and school orchestras to my discovery of jazz and the emergence of my desire to move beyond the idiom. This sheds light on specific aspects of Australian music culture and practice and offers a rich backdrop for listening to the music created during the course of this research. Following a practice-‐based research model, this exegesis documents a series of workshop sessions in mainly solo and duo formats with a focus on improvisation and experimentation. From these sessions the raw materials for the composition phases of my projects are drawn and through this development process, along with the reflection detailed herein, I investigate how composition and improvisation intersect in my practice as composer and improvising trumpeter.
View less >
View more >This exegesis traces the development and recording of a series of works for solo trumpet/laptop electronics, and medium sized ensemble integrating improvisation and live electronic processing. Through a reflective and intersubjective account of the creative process it develops a cultural context for this activity based on my experience as a trumpeter/composer living and working in Australia while also taking account of broad movements in contemporary music particularly in improvised forms. In addition, it 'zooms in' on my personal biography focussing on my development as a musician through experiences in brass bands and school orchestras to my discovery of jazz and the emergence of my desire to move beyond the idiom. This sheds light on specific aspects of Australian music culture and practice and offers a rich backdrop for listening to the music created during the course of this research. Following a practice-‐based research model, this exegesis documents a series of workshop sessions in mainly solo and duo formats with a focus on improvisation and experimentation. From these sessions the raw materials for the composition phases of my projects are drawn and through this development process, along with the reflection detailed herein, I investigate how composition and improvisation intersect in my practice as composer and improvising trumpeter.
View less >
Thesis Type
Thesis (Professional Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
School
Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
Composition (Music)
Improvisation (Music)