The rules of improvising (for now)

I really enjoy improvising in music. 
I'd like to read more about what people
think and do when improvising. A lot of
teacher are adamant with the fact that you
have to be trained classically and then
trough Jazz in order to be able to
properly improvise. But that remove
the fun out of it! 

As I am not a professional musician, and
I am not heavily trained, but I have
enough basic skills to get into that state. 

In the improvisation state, sometime it
comes out really great, and sometime it
simply doesn't work. I don't have the musical
background to always have a minimal viable 
creation coming out of me. 

For example, I've been trained in Yoga for over
25 years now. I can teach a class anywhere at
any time, and in any state of mind. I have 
enough experience and training that I don't
need to be peaceful, or aligned to teach a
good class. When I'm centered and happy and
aware and rested then I can teach a really
great yoga class! 

I don't have the luxury when improvising. 
And it's part of the fun. If there is no way
to fail, it's not really exciting. When I 
improvise, I feel like I'm walking on sword
edges, a wrong step and I cut my foot. 

I though I'd come up with some of my 
guiding principle for improvisation. 
This is for music but can be applied 
to pretty much everything in life, 
drawing, writing, cooking... or even, 
living! 


 1 - Have fun

If you are not having fun, then the learning
is not going to happen much for you. You might
prefer a classical way to play music. 

Improvising is really fueled by emotions
and if you're annoyed then that's what 
going to come out, annoying sounds. 

 2 - Start simple

In order to have fun, start simple. Maybe just
a bit of drumming, just one instrument and a
looper? Hand clapping and voice are our natural
instrument, why  not start there?

 3 - Play with yourself

It might seems hard to simply play, without goal. 

A simple looper is a good way to start improvising. 
Recording one layer and then playing over that
recording. 


 4 - Play with others

Playing with other musician is such a profound experience. 
I really enjoy playing with others. You can 
take turn improvising, like we do on Friday night
on aNONradio. 

Or if you have the chance, you can all play together. 
Unfortunately, some musician are looking for a basic 
musical level before they would dare to play with you, 
and that's sad.  You  might need to do research to 
find others that are willing to play in this more chaotic way. 

 5 - Try different instruments

Instead of focusing only on one instrument, 
make sure to try different tools. Shakers, 
hand drums, whistles and bells, 

Since you are not aiming to be a professional
this or that, might as well extend the fun 
trough all the instrument. 

Electronic instruments also provide quite 
an expansive way to think about music! 

 6 - Learn the basics when you feel limited

Basics and foundation are great, and when 
you feel like you'd have a lot more fun if
you knew some scales and chords, then you're
most likely learn these faster. 

When I go find a teacher to learn about something
I know what I want and therefore I am a lot more
motivated to learn. 

 7 - Rhythm 

Rhythm is fun, rhythm is life. It's the foundation
the structure of music. If there is one thing to learn
or to practice, rhythm would be it. It makes you grove,
it makes you dance and it connects musicians to each other. 

 8 - Embrace chaos

Break the rules, make a mess, make noise, don't 
follow patterns, put yourself in a situation where
you can't get out (musically) and play with that. 
Step out of your comfort zone. Even improvisation 
can become mechanical. 

 9 - Listen

When improvising, listening is at the center. 
If you are playing with yourself, then it's akin
of cooking. You put some ingredient together, then
you taste. Then you choose another spice, another
ingredient. 

In music this is done with listening. 

When playing with other, listen to the rhythm, 
to the note, to the emotions that is carried 
trough the music. 

When in nature, listen to the birds, listen
to the rain, listen to the thunder. The musicality
of life is majestic. Even in urban areas, the
sound of traffic, the wind, train, people, 
there is an invisible composition there too. 
Improvised by million of people. 

 10 - Play

Music is a game, it's why we say that we play
music. What is the game all about? You define
your own rule! These are my own 'rules' that
I've written to inspire other to think about
their games and how they define their own rules. 

I'd love to hear other's point of view on 
improvisation, in music, food and life!