Doctoral Colloquium (Music): Jean-Michel Pilc

Improvisation, like life which it mirrors in many ways, is an experience where senses and physicality play a crucial part. My philosophy when teaching music is to make sure young musicians build their craft the right way, from good and strong fundamentals of course, but also and most importantly from simple rhythmic, melodic and vocal routines based on oral tradition and physical sensations. The instrument should be the conduit of a musician's internal voice, in the same way as speech is the materialization of our ideas. We will talk about the many analogies between improvisation and language, leading to the conclusion that every musician can and should improvise, regardless of style.