improvising
Creating without preparation
Improvising is creating or performing something spontaneously, without preparation or a script.
Musicians improvise solos, actors improvise scenes, and anyone can improvise a solution from whatever materials are at hand: We improvised a splint from a magazine and some tape.
The word suggests resourcefulness—making do with what's available when the ideal isn't.
Informal improvisational music gathering
- bebopFast, complex jazz style
- scatImprovised vocal jazz
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- compingImprovised chordal accompaniment
licks · riff · solo · groove · syncopation · fusion · modal · standards
Done without advance preparation
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- unrehearsedNot practiced beforehand
- off-the-cuffUnplanned, unrehearsed
spur-of-the-moment · winging it · on-the-fly · snap decision · offhand · unplanned · unpremeditated · freestyle
Rotating around fixed point
- adjustingAltering to correct
- making doUsing available resources adequately
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- jury-riggingImprovised temporary repair
MacGyver · resourceful · flexible · versatile · troubleshooting · problem-solving · quick fix · stopgap
Showing original thought
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- originalityNovel creative quality
- innovationCreating something original
- brainstormingGenerating many ideas freely
ideation · resourcefulness · unconventional · clever · imagination · inspiration · outside the box · experimentation
Hasty informal drawing
- scene workRehearsing dramatic excerpts
- roleplayAdopt another's perspective
- mimeWordless expressive performer
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
ensemble · troupe · audience · comedy · drama · character work · short-form · long-form
jam session
Informal improvisational music gathering
comping · licks · riff · solo · groove · syncopation · fusion · modal · standards · blue note
extemporaneous
Done without advance preparation
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- unrehearsedNot practiced beforehand
off-the-cuff · spur-of-the-moment · winging it · on-the-fly · snap decision · offhand · unplanned · unpremeditated · freestyle · instinctive
pivoting
Rotating around fixed point
- adjustingAltering to correct
- making doUsing available resources adequately
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
jury-rigging · MacGyver · resourceful · flexible · versatile · troubleshooting · problem-solving · quick fix · stopgap · contingency
inventive
Showing original thought
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- originalityNovel creative quality
- innovationCreating something original
brainstorming · ideation · resourcefulness · unconventional · clever · imagination · inspiration · outside the box · experimentation · riffing
sketch
Hasty informal drawing
- scene workRehearsing dramatic excerpts
- roleplayAdopt another's perspective
- mimeWordless expressive performer
monologue · ensemble · troupe · audience · comedy · drama · character work · short-form · long-form · bit
- theatricstheatrics, dramatics, melodrama, histrionics, theatricality
- creatingcreating, inventing, producing, generating, making
- musicmusic, song, songs, singing, singer
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- creative actscreating, designing, drawing, sculpting, composing
- musicianshipsinging, playing, performing, practicing, harmonizing
improvisingplanning
Arranging for future events
preparing · premeditation · strategizing · designing · calculating
impromptu, improvise, improvised, improvisation, improvises, improvisational, improviser, improvisations, improvisers