Wednesday, February 21, 2007

My other improv blog

My book-writing process is in a phase where I'm working out complicated thoughts in a way that doesn't lend itself well to blogging. I am teaching a course this semester at DePauw called Improvisation in Western Art Music.

The course has its own blog. And this week I have started writing a daily synopsis of what we do and discuss. The course is a cross between a series of improvisation workshops and a music-history class. I'm a big believer in learning about improvisational practices by improvising. It is a challenge to manage/facilitate; I think it's working pretty well, and it seems that the students do as well (at least most of them!).

The synopses are not just descriptions of what we did. They also include my own reflections on what we've covered in the readings.