Musical improvisation, also known as musical extemporization, is the creative activity of immediate ("in the moment") musical composition, which combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental technique as well as spontaneous response to other musicians. Improvisation is often done within (or based on) a pre-existing harmonic framework or chord progression. It is a major part of some types of 20th-century music, such as blues, rock music, jazz, and jazz fusion, in which instrumental performers improvise solos, melody lines, and accompaniment parts. Improvisation is one of the basic elements that sets jazz apart from other types of music.
According to Study.com, improvisation in music means to have the ability to make your music as a performer stand out while playing. Improvisation allows a musician to express themselves and invent music on the spot. Creative musicians are not limited to just playing already-made music; they are able to change them, improve them, create new melodies or harmonies automatically. These are musicians who know what they are doing, they are the ones who understand what is behind the chord notation and the notes. They can have musical dialogues.
Improvisation is often done within a pre-existing harmonic framework or chord progression. In jazz, improvisation is all about expressing oneself and telling someone how you feel in that moment. Improvisation is not a magic gift and it is not necessarily an advanced musical skill. It is a skill that can be learned through practice.
