Modes of communication during jazz improvisation

Frederick A. Seddon
2005 British Journal of Music Education  
This study investigated modes of communication adopted by six student jazz musicians during rehearsal and performance. Six one-hour rehearsal sessions and a performance were observed and videotaped for analysis. Results revealed six modes of communication that formed two main categories, verbal and non-verbal, each containing three distinct modes of communication: instruction, cooperation and collaboration. Non-verbal collaborative mode displayed empathetic attunement, which is a vehicle for
more » ... athetic creativity. Empathetic creativity is a theoretical concept proposed by the author based on the concept of empathetic intelligence (Arnold, 2003 (Arnold, , 2004 . Practical applications of empathetic creativity are discussed with reference to music education, focusing on evaluation of individual contribution to group creative performances. I n t r o d u c t i o n When jazz musicians play together they have at their disposal verbal communication, non-verbal communication (e.g. eye contact, aural cues and body language) and musical communication. These modes of communication operate during rehearsal and performance and can be influenced by the group's shared social and musical experiences. This study reveals modes of communication employed by six student jazz musicians. It investigates whether or not they are able to empathetically attune when improvising together.
doi:10.1017/s0265051704005984 fatcat:4ljrajpcsjcate2c3alf7ru2pu