Improv To My Ears
Improvisation, fondly referred to as “improv”, is one of the most useful skills in an actor’s toolbox. If you ever dry up on stage and feel the onset of the deer-in-headlights expression on your face, just take a deep breath and improv your way out of that dark tunnel. And don’t stare at the expanding light at the end of it, of course.
Improv is obviously not something that can be learned out of a textbook. It takes a lot of regular practice with other fellow enthusiasts to get the hang of it. You’ve probably heard this before and think it’s all rather hocus-pocus, but improv is truly about “being in the moment”. During improv, you never know what your partner is going to say or do next, which means it is paramount that you are firmly present in the scene so that your response and timing feels genuine.
Some people (definitely not me) are naturals at it. What I find most amazing though is the naturals who also happen to be musically talented. Like Elton John. Or the “Chat Roulette Piano Guy”.
(Video courtesy of: bagheera79)
(Video courtesy of: PianoChatImprov)
Bloody brilliant!
