Sync or Swarm, Revised Edition: Improvising Music in a Complex Age

Sync or Swarm promotes an ecological view of musicking, exploring cycles of organismic self-regulation, sensorimotor coupling, and intersubjective interaction mediated by socio-technological networks. Winner of the Society for Ethnomusicology's Alan Merriam prize, the revised edition features new sections on electro-acoustic and transcultural improvisation and human-machine interaction.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Sync or Swarm, the revised edition, presents a captivating ecological perspective on musicking, shifting our focus from a subject-centered to a system-centered view of improvisation. It delves into intricate cycles of organismic self-regulation, sensorimotor coupling between organisms and their environments, and intersubjective interactions facilitated through socio-technological networks. The chapters unfold in a progressive manner, beginning with the solo improviser (Evan Parker) and progressing to nonlinear group dynamics (Sam Rivers trio), networks that comprise improvisational communities, and pedagogical dynamics that shape individuals' learning experiences. This comprehensive exploration culminates in a hermeneutic circle, bringing the reader full circle.

In its first edition, Sync or Swarm garnered significant recognition, winning the prestigious Alan Merriam prize from the Society for Ethnomusicology. The revised edition further enhances its appeal by incorporating new sections that explore electro-acoustic and transcultural improvisation, as well as the attendant issues of human-machine interaction and postcolonial studies.

This revised edition of Sync or Swarm is a testament to the enduring significance of musicking as a dynamic and interconnected system, offering a profound exploration of the ecological dimensions of improvisation and its profound impact on our understanding of music and its role in society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501368844
Edition number: 2 ed