Free Improvisation

Free improvisation on vinyl: music without a plan

In short: Free improvisation emerged from the mid-sixties, above all in Europe: musicians played without a predetermined course, without given harmonies and often without a fixed beat – the music is created in the moment, out of listening. It is related to free jazz but moves even further away from its patterns. The Vinyl Room currently has 47 free improvisation records.

What is free improvisation?

Sound instead of melody, conversation instead of solo: Musica Elettronica Viva from Rome mixed instruments and electronics on “Spacecraft”. Michel Portal, John Surman, Barre Phillips and Stu Martin improvise freely together on “Alors!!!”.

Keith Jarrett improvised on a church organ on “Hymns Spheres”. This freedom can also be heard on “Fly Or Die” by the late trumpeter Jaimie Branch and in recordings by Nicole Mitchell and the London band Ill Considered.

What to look for

Many of these records came out on small labels or were self-released; label, catalogue number and country of release help you tell which edition you have – it’s noted with each copy.

From our stock

First pressings

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FAQ

What is free improvisation? Music without a predetermined course, often also without given harmonies or a fixed beat, created while it is played.

What is the difference from free jazz? Free jazz often stays close to jazz sounds; free improvisation moves even further away from them.

Where did free improvisation emerge? Mainly in Europe from the mid-sixties, for example in England, Germany and Italy.

Are there more recent recordings too? Yes – here, for example, by Jaimie Branch, Nicole Mitchell and Ill Considered.