Why is improvisation so underrated?

The main form of improvised music today is jazz. But other forms still exist. Indian classical music also involves a lot of improvisation, although it isn't as free as jazz, and western classical music still has a few practitioners of improvisation, in the way that Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven could improvise.

To what extent have you ever improvised?

I can't recall ever feeling the urge to improvise

Never really, but I feel like my life is improvised.

I sometimes dance around in a club or in my bedroom, and that's improvised.

I sing in the shower and tap on my desk when I'm in the mood.

I have played an instrument just for fun, and found improvising to be enjoyable, just from messing around with different sounds.

I love to improvise, and I am a musician.

Would you consider playing an instrument, with intent to improvise?

No, don't feel the urge.

Yes, but it seems too hard, so I don't.

I play an instrument, but feel more comfortable playing from a sheet. If I were to improvise, I wouldn't know what to do.

I have already tried it.

What is your opinion of jazz improv?

There is no way they can be improvising - who could make that up on the spot?

Maybe they are improvising, but it just sounds like random notes, so what's the point?

I like jazz, it's beautiful.

I like it but I prefer pop.

I like it but I prefer classical.

Other

Do you agree that improvisation is not a big enough part of the musical world today?

Yes

And finally, your overall opinion of musical improvisation.

It's pointless - why improvise when you can make it up BEFORE playing it?

It has some merit, but I still think better music can be made by composing it first.

I'm indifferent to it.

Both improvisation and composition are equally creative ways of making music

Both Improvisation and performance from a manuscript sheet (e.g. playing a Bach sonata) are equally creative ways of making music.

Improvisation has an aspect of the sublime, tapping into our higher consciousness.

Improvisation must always include pre-chosen notes or phrases, otherwise it's impossible.

Improvisation must not have any pre-determinacy to it, otherwise it is not true improvisation.

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This poll was created on 2011-04-10 13:16:26 by HalDeservesMore