his course explores the theory and practice of musical improvisation. Instead of focusing on one particular style, we will define "improvised music" inclusively, from American and European experimental music, different approaches to jazz improvisation after 1959, to a number of musical traditions from around the world where improvisation is a central element. Our investigation will include two broad areas: 1) the use of improvisation as a musical process in real time 2) As a musical genre in its own right, whose main focus is improvisation, which is defined under different names: improvised music, free improvisation, and creative music. Historically and aesthetically, these names express different understandings about the role of improvisation in modern music and illustrate how improvisation itself has became an important methodology for composers' and performers.