“Anyone Can Improvise”: Technology and the Quantification of Jazz Improvisation

Nicholas LoVallo, Oberlin College

Location

Science Center, A255

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-25-2014 1:30 PM

End Date

4-25-2014 2:30 PM

Abstract

In the past 20 years, jazz educators and researchers have expanded the use of technology to understand, teach, and perform jazz improvisation. These technological advancements include computer software such as Band-in-a-Box, improvisation algorithms, neuroscientific studies, and the use of improvisation as a model for computerhuman interactivity. In my presentation, I argue that these developments are a continuation of a concept of jazz improvisation as a quantifiable, technical process that is accessible to anyone. This concept, associated with educators such as Jamey Aebersold, has been the dominant view in institutionalized jazz education for over 50 years.

Notes

Session I, Panel 4 - Aesthetics of Musical Composition
Moderator: Rebecca Leydon, Associate Professor of Music Theory

Major

Anthropology; Musical Studies

Advisor(s)

Erika Hoffmann-Dilloway, Anthropology
Jennifer Fraser, Ethnomusicology

Project Mentor(s)

Ian MacMillen, Russian; East European Studies

April 2014

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Apr 25th, 1:30 PM Apr 25th, 2:30 PM

“Anyone Can Improvise”: Technology and the Quantification of Jazz Improvisation

Science Center, A255

In the past 20 years, jazz educators and researchers have expanded the use of technology to understand, teach, and perform jazz improvisation. These technological advancements include computer software such as Band-in-a-Box, improvisation algorithms, neuroscientific studies, and the use of improvisation as a model for computerhuman interactivity. In my presentation, I argue that these developments are a continuation of a concept of jazz improvisation as a quantifiable, technical process that is accessible to anyone. This concept, associated with educators such as Jamey Aebersold, has been the dominant view in institutionalized jazz education for over 50 years.