Intercultural tele-improvisation: Inside the online global jam session

Abstract

This chapter introduces the practice of intercultural tele-improvisation and explores the way in which geographically dispersed performers improvise together online across global time zones, disciplines, cultures and musical traditions. It outlines the conceptual foundations of the research featured in this book, its application to the analysis of live online performances, and a summary of its findings. The chapter describes the role of culture in tele-improvisatory interaction and the expression of intentionality in online musical engagement. It also examines the use of metaphor and schematic bodily experience to enable an in-depth understanding of online performers’ interactive approaches and strategic thought processes. The chapter concludes with an outline of each chapter and its contribution to the field of cultural computing.