The Imagination of Experiences: Musical Invention, Collaboration, and the Making of Meanings

This book explores the imagination in music, arguing that ideas arise from a subconscious dialogue activated by engagement with the world and can be shared when musicians work with other artists. It also suggests that music is commonly heard as analogous to human experience, allowing listeners to imagine their own meanings from the music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 114 pages
Publication date: 29 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book is written for a wide range of readers, including laypeople, students, and academics, with a focus on imagination and, more specifically, imagination in music. It begins by challenging the notion of the creative genius and the belief that ideas solely originate within an individual's mind. Instead, an alternative perspective is presented, suggesting that ideas emerge from a subconscious dialogue triggered by engagement with the world around us. This means that our ideas are not solely our own creation.

Support for this view is drawn from numerous studies, which align with artists' descriptions of their imaginative processes. The third subject explores how musicians collaborate with other artists and the challenges that arise when attempting to share subconscious imaginations. The final chapter delves into the use of musical imagination in deriving meanings from music. It is evident that music does not communicate meanings directly, and therefore composers or performers cannot be considered authoritative sources of interpretation. Instead, music is often heard as analogous to human experience, allowing listeners to form their own meanings through interpretation.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of imagination in music, challenging traditional notions and presenting alternative perspectives. It provides valuable insights into the creative process, collaborative work, and the subjective interpretation of music. Whether you are a music enthusiast, student, or academic, this book will enrich your understanding of the power and versatility of the musical imagination.

Weight: 166g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367569297