Skip to main content
Norges musikkhøgskole Norwegian Academy of Music Search

Impro­visa­tion II

  • Year of study: One semester, spring
  • Final assessment: assessment from course instructor
  • Language of instruction: Norwegian and/or English

Course description

The course is organized as a space for performing and improvised exploration for all instruments and genres. Experimentation and reflection on various improvisation methods and concepts in encountering different content are central. We will work in various ensemble formats, from completely free improvisation to freer improvisation based on specified frameworks. The course will also touch upon works where improvisation constitutes a central part of the piece. The scourse also addresses improvisation as a practiced philosophy and mindset.

The work in the course is primarily based on oral transmission and processing through practice.

Emneansvarlig: Jazz, Improvised Music and Traditional Nordic Folk Music Department

Learning objectives

Upon completion of the course, it is expected that the student:

  • can improvise within a range of different musical situations and musical material
  • can manage improvisational components and the opportunities they provide for various combinations in encountering the material
  • can utilize improvisational opportunities in a given musical situation with audible confidence in their own ideas, personal, and intuitive choices
  • can evaluate various improvisations based on verbalized, improvised professional competence

Overview

The course will include:

  • working on repertoire covering a wide range, from completely free improvisation to improvisation based on established/agreed premises
  • work with a varied selection of ensembles
  • cultivation and development of general principles from music genres where improvisation is or can be an integrated part

Structure

The classes takes place in groups composed across instrument groups, styles, and genres.

Course requirements

Participation in the scheduled lessons is compulsory. Absence of more than 20% will normally lead to failure of the course.

Final assessment

All course requirements must be approved prior to obtaining a final assessment.

Students are assessed in correspondence to the learning outcomes of the course. The final assessment will be given as a mark of “passed”/”failed” for each individual student, which shall be determined on the basis of her or his level demonstrated through the course work.

New assessment

Students failing the course will have to apply to re-follow the course for a new assessment. Students may only re-follow the course if there are available places.

Published: Apr 3, 2022 — Last updated: Apr 8, 2024