Dr Adam Linson (IASH Fellow): work in progress talk.
Unveiling the shared cognitive basis of improvisation in music and beyond
Short description: In this Work In Progress seminar, Adam Linson will present his research on improvisation and cognition.
Abstract: Although improvisation is commonly associated with music, there are a range of improvisational practices seemingly unrelated to music, such as cooking and skateboarding, which also require skilled performance in constantly changing conditions. Improvisers in any domain must draw on past experience, while at the same time, they must navigate and negotiate the unique complexities of their current situation. To achieve this state of improvisational engagement, the brain and body facilitate a specialised interplay of acute perception and fluent action. This cognitive interplay allows improvisers to draw on foundational skills and a dynamic imagination in order to remain responsive and innovative, flexible and open to the unforeseen.