Software intervention in the process of improvisation
Tim Sayer · Digital Creativity · 2003
This paper provides a rationale for the possible development of software interfaces, the purpose of which is to provide opportunities for an improvising musician to construct a performance which, on the one hand allows them to engage with sonic and visual material produced by generative algorithms and on the other challenges the conscious and subconscious cognitive processes which govern their normal performance practice. Both cognitive psychology and communication theory offer great insight into the evolution of human cognisance and provide pointers to models with which the activity of musical improvisation could be interpreted. In the course of this paper I have tried to relate academic concepts and theories to material gleaned from improvising musicians, giving credence to their opinions and drawing inference from their experiences.