The purpose of this research is to gain a greater understanding of the conditions necessary to create successful collaborative, improvised musical statements within an ensemble.

This study is an exhaustive examination of selected performances of two ensembles in which I perform. One I have been playing in for twenty years and the other newly formed specifically for this research study. The research will investigate the impact of the ensemble dynamic on the improvisations of each individual within the ensembles, which in turn will impact on and inform my own playing.

Performances and recordings by these ensembles will be used to form the basis of the research to be presented in the accompanying exegesis. The recordings will be analysed in the traditional harmonic, melodic and rhythmic manner. There also will be an analysis of the ways in which each participant’s contributions affect their co-performers. Aural perception and the collective musical history of the participants are seen as significant factors and as such will be investigated though interviews.

It is proposed that a musician’s familiarity with repertoire should be such that conscious decision making is not required. In fact, it is felt that the need to deliberately think about both physical and material requirements of music making, when playing, is a hindrance to high quality musical performance, both during improvisation and interpretation of pre-composed materials. These issues will also be examined with a view to offering some insight into the mindset and methods for achieving musical improvisation at the highest level. In so doing I believe this research will add significantly to the literature and thinking behind the subject.