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The improvisational creativity of expert teachers

R. Keith Sawyer

Published: 2010-04-15

Exploring teaching as performance, teacher expertise, and creativity in teaching, this article compares jazz performance and improvisational theater to teaching and scholarly practices, and suggests that a balance between improvisation and structure is what ultimately optimizes student learning.Exploring teaching as performance, teacher expertise, and creativity in teaching, this article compares jazz performance and improvisational theater to teaching and scholarly practices, and suggests that a balance between improvisation and structure is what ultimately optimizes student learning.

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Improvisation is, simply put, being and living this very moment. No one can hide in music, and improvising in music is to be truly in this very moment and being completely yourself, with all your qualities and faults. It is probably the most honest state for a human being to be in.

– John McLaughlin in an interview with Daniel Fischlin.