| The Improvisation Book by John Abbott |
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| Written by David Farmer | |
| Wednesday, 27 February 2008 | |
 '...When musicians improvise they decide the notes they are going to
play at more or less the same moment that they play them. They are not
reading the music from the page, they are making it up as they go
along. They are improvising. But whatever notes they decide to play,
there is usually a strong musical framework for them to improvise
within. A structure. A set of rules that must be obeyed. Sometimes
these rules are bent; sometimes they are abandoned for a while;
sometimes they are abused and scorned; but they are always there,
lurking beneath the surface, holding everything in place. For without
rules we tend towards anarchy.'
This new book by John Abbott outlines the need for structure in dramatic improvisation and is a highly practical approach to the subject through games and exercises grounded in engaging explanations of how to run workshops. The book comes with a set of cards (that you have to cut out yourself, Blue Peter-style) outlining situations and characters so that you can quickly set up random improvisations. The author is head of Academic Studies at ArtsEd School of Acting in London - and his experience shows. This is a clearly graded scheme for developing skills with students in schools or colleges. The book is an ideal introduction to a range of important skills such as listening, re-incorporation and consolidation as well as an understanding of character, objectives, emotions and atmospheres. The Improvisation Book by John Abbott is £10.99 from Nick Hern Books who have kindly given us permission to publish the above extract. Price £10.99 ISBN 9781854599612 |
