Break the Ground - The Art of Playing 'Ex-Tempore' upon music

Veronica Cimino

About this exposition

This paper explores the use of the division technique in contemporary improvisation, arranging and composition through an analysis of Christopher Simpson’s treatise The Division-Viol, or, The Art of Playing ‘Ex tempore’ upon a Ground (1659), which codifies the principles of this technique that was largely used during the 17th century in England. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, improvising is “to compose, or simultaneously compose and perform, on the spur of the moment and without any preparation.” Yet there is one constant factor in history: improvisation is always changing. From this position, the research aim is to probe the division technique as a valid possibility for trying out a new approach in the wider field of improvisation. The paper explores what could happen if we bring this kind of technique outside the confines of the baroque genre, becoming a new perspective for musicians, with different access to modus operandi from genres that were never expected to be so close. The analysis of early improvisation techniques offers new insights into contemporary music and diversifying improvisation practice. In light of this, after an overview of the technique, you will find experiments with its use in the creation of solos, in writing compositions and arrangements in different styles, putting down roots for its use in education. The result of this creative practice will be presented with written and audio/video documentation as well as live practical examples.

type	research exposition
keywords	division technique, 17th century, improvisation, composition, Arranging, creative practice
date	03/01/2021
published	11/07/2022
last modified	11/07/2022
status	limited publication
share status	private
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
language	English
url	https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/1104487/1543062
published in	KC Research Portal
portal issue	3. Internal publication

name	titolo
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Frontespizio Division Viol
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Simpson Effigies
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	Public domain
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name	breaking 1
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	Public domain
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name	breaking 2
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
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name	breaking 3
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
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name	breaking 4
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
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name	breaking 5
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
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name	descant
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
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name	mixt
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	breaking 1
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	breaking 2 transcr
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	breaking 4 transcr
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	breaking the ground 5 transcr
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	descant transcription
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	mixt trancription
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	breaking 3 transcription
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	simpson example original
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	simpson's example
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	list breaking the ground
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	titolo2
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	titolo3
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	autumn leaves breaking
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	All the things you are impro
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	i hate love snip
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
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name	titolo4
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	i hate love bridge excerpt
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	spring
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	o dolce vita mia excerpt
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	o nici snip
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	titolo5
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	titolo6
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Spring
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	o dolce vita mia excerpt
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	o nici excerpt
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	breaking 1 experiment
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Breaking the ground 1st experiment
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	breaking 2 experiment
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	breaking 3 experiment
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	breaking 4 experiment
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	breaking the ground 5 exp
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	but not for me breaking the ground 2nd way experiment
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	The way you look tonight breaking the ground 3rd experiment
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	Oleo breaking the ground 4th experiment
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	somewhere over the rainbow breaking the ground 5th experiment
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	cover
copyright	Veronica Cimino
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

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Break the Ground - The Art of Playing 'Ex-Tempore' upon music (2022)

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