What is improvisation in music?

Improvisation in music refers to the act of creating music spontaneously in real-time. This practice allows musicians to craft melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and textures on the spot, influenced by the context of the moment, their emotions, and their understanding of musical structures. Unlike performing written music, which involves following notation exactly, improvisation requires a deep knowledge of musical forms, styles, and often, the ability to respond to other musicians in a collaborative environment.

While rearranging previously composed music, conducting without a score, and performing music as written all involve specific skills and techniques, they don't capture the essence of improvisation, which centers around creativity and real-time composition. In improvisation, the musical outcome is unpredictable, making it a dynamic and expressive art form.