Why Free Improvisation?

Free musical improvisation is a kind of improvisation that is not based on any specific idiom. There are many kinds of improvisation that are tied to an idiom, including jazz, rock, folk and early music. These tend to follow chord changes, scales and rhythms associated with that idiom. Free improvisation is not tethered to any specific chords, scales or rhythms. In fact, some free improvisation may include sounds that are not normally associated with any music. I believe this kind of improvisation is important to nurture. Free improvisation provides those who participate and listen with an opportunity to connect to the basic motivation for making music [Needs more] rooted in free expression and creative collaboration. I would go so far as to say that, if there are many opportunities for free improvisation, more people would have advanced listening skills and a willingness to express themselves without fear of being judged (by themselves or by others). These are skills that could be applied in so many parts of our lives.