Improvisation is a vital element in many world music traditions and has played a significant role in the development of music across cultures for centuries. It’s a way for musicians to respond to the changing needs and moods of the audience and bring their own personal style and creativity to the music. In this article, we will explore the use of improvisation in various world music traditions and how it compares to the western concept of improvisation.

Qawwali

One notable example of improvisation in world music is the tradition of qawwali in South Asian music. Qawwali started as a devotional or sacred music form that originated in the Indian subcontinent and is particularly popular in Pakistan and India. It is performed by a group of musicians, with one lead vocalist and several backing vocalists and instrumentalists. Qawwali performances often include improvised sections where the musicians interact with each other and the audience, creating a dynamic and engaging musical experience. The use of improvisation in qawwali allows the musicians to respond to the energy and mood of the audience, creating a truly unique and memorable performance.

Here is a performance by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

For more information, here is a great article on the topic:

https://asiasociety.org/qawwali-sufi-ritual-commercial-pop#:~:text=Qawwali%20is%20a%20form%20of,of%20words%20of%20these%20songs.

Griot Music

Improvisation is also an integral part of African music traditions, such as in the West African griot tradition. Griots are oral historians and musicians who play a vital role in preserving the history and culture of their communities through music. Improvisation is an essential part of the griot tradition, as it allows the musicians to respond to the changing needs and moods of the audience and create a unique musical experience. In the griot tradition, improvisation is used not only as a performance technique, but also as a way to add depth and complexity to pre-existing compositions. The use of improvisation in the griot tradition helps to keep the music fresh and relevant, and allows the musicians to bring their own creative flair and personal style to the music. Sometimes the Griots sought to convey very particular emotions around an event or historical story they are telling. Improvisation is a method the singer could use to communicate to the audience at hand. Audience participation is another feature of a Griot performance that connects the present with the stories of the past.

Here is a fantastic video explaining the tremendous value Griots bring to the world.

Arabic Classical Music

In the Arab world, improvisation is an essential element of music, particularly in the tradition of Arabic classical music. Arabic classical music is characterized by its complex melodies and rhythms, and improvisation is a vital part of the musical process. Musicians often improvise during performances, using their technical skills and musical intuition to create new melodies and rhythms on the spot. Taqsim is a type of improvisation that usually takes place at the beginning of a piece of music. The performer will begin in the lower range of the Arabic maqam (a mode defining pitches and intervallic patterns) to establish the maqam for the audience. The performer is then free to improvise as long as they return to the original maqam.

I love the sound of this example:

Jazz

Improvisation is also a key element in the music of jazz, a genre that originated in the African American community in the United States in the early 20th century. Jazz is known for its use of complex rhythms, harmonies, and melodies, and improvisation is a crucial part of the musical process. In a jazz performance, the musicians will often improvise solos over a predetermined chord progression, using their technical skills and musical intuition to create new melodies on the spot.

Western Improvisation

One significant difference between the western concept of improvisation and that found in many world music traditions is the role of structure. In western music, improvisation is often seen as a way to break free from the constraints of a predetermined structure and create something new and spontaneous. In contrast, many world music traditions view improvisation as a way to enrich and add depth to a pre-existing structure, rather than breaking free from it. This difference in perspective on the role of structure highlights the diversity of approaches to improvisation in different musical traditions.

Improvisation and Composition

Improvisation is not only a performance technique, but it can also be used as a composition technique in various musical traditions. In some cases, improvisation is used to create the initial musical ideas that are later developed and arranged into a finished composition. For example, in the jazz tradition, musicians often use improvisation to generate new melodies and harmonies that can be developed into fully composed pieces. In Indian classical music, improvisation is also used as a composition technique, with musicians using improvisations as the basis for new compositions or adding depth and complexity to pre-existing compositions. Many Western Classical composers use a blend of theory, abstract concepts, and improvisation to create their music.

Improvisation is a vital element in many world music traditions and plays a significant role in the development of music across cultures. It is an essential part of the musical process, allowing musicians to respond to the changing needs and moods of the audience and create a unique musical experience. While there are some differences between the western concept of improvisation and that found in many world music traditions, both approaches value the creativity and spontaneity that improvisation brings to music. Whether used as a performance or composition technique, improvisation is an integral part of the musical process and helps to keep music fresh, relevant, and engaging.