so a singer might come in alone with something like ♪ kooonnggoooohhh.e given the dynamics, i've given the articulation, i've given the sound, i've given the pitch, but really the duration of the overall shape and form is up to the performer's discretion. i think that this sort of compositional involvement by the performers allows them to feel like they are actually contributing to the piece, and in fact, they have a sense of ownership of the work as well. (narrator) improvisation is a central ingredient in many musical traditions. this is certainly the case with jazz. while the underlying form of jazz is based on composed works, in essence, to be a jazz musician means to be an improvisor. (redman) we improvise in every aspect of our lives. i'm improvising now when i'm talking to you because i don't know what i'm going to say before i say it. improvisation is something which is basic to human life. [jazz music] in jazz, what you're required to do is to play what you feel at the spur of the moment. but you are also required to improvise within certain con