Improvisation, spontaneity, and decision-making!

Mélanie Champelovier – Natural Talent Coaching & Training

Improvisation, spontaneity, and decision-making!

Knowing how to improvise: could it be the activation of our memory happening naturally, as a spontaneous reflex allowing for quick decision-making?

If we illustrate with musical improvisation techniques, we train to:

- Welcome our emotions,
- Take the time to listen, observe, feel, and sense in order to create interactions with our environment,
- Observe our surroundings,
- Not force originality, as surprising things will come naturally and on their own,
- Know how to say “yes” to other musicians for a solo call and cooperation,
- Understand their emotions and trust the unfolding of the present moment,
- Consider the value of roles: learn to exchange instruments, do “as if”,
- Learn failure, mistakes, use them as resources, and rebalance, calibrate, anchor,
- Observe different representations and interpretations of the same piece,
- Legitimize emotional intelligence and thus empower ourselves,
- Dare to be authentic,
- Evolve in relationship with others because that’s where collective creativity takes action, and a musical story becomes possible and interesting, made of multiple universes and originality.

Indirectly, improvisation techniques allow us to train in improvising, and directly, we see that mastery through training facilitates improvisation in the moment, spontaneity, better understanding of our environment, and the other people with whom we interact.

“We never improvise better than when we know our text.” - Robert Hollier

We could also add to this quote: … when we accept who we are.

Let’s not forget that training in improvisation leads to quicker and more thoughtful decision-making because we’ve gone through mistakes in the past. Improvisation also keeps us in the present, and therefore in the reality of the moment!

Play as if and Fake it until you make it! 😉