Abstract
In this study, the author investigated factors underlying vocal improvisation achievement and relationships with the singers' musical background. Participants were 102 college students in Australia and the United States who performed 3 jazz improvisations and 1 free improvisation. Jazz improvisations were rated on rhythmic, tonal, and creative thinking criteria; free improvisations were rated only on creativity criteria. The results are as follows: (a) A significant difference was found between jazz and free improvisation achievement; (b) extensive jazz experience, especially study and listening, was found to be significantly correlated with vocal improvisation achievement; (c) 3 factors were found to underlie jazz improvisation: jazz syntax, vocal creativity, and tonal musicianship; and (d) 3 factors were found to underlie free improvisation: musical syntax, vocal creativity, and scat syllable creativity.
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