Went to a comedy show featuring 7 acts and liked one especially for self effacing jokes, seemed off the cuff. Following week I went again and same comic was on the bill and told same jokes. Not as interesting the second time maybe due to the realization that this is the 500th time they told these jokes. Realized part of what I liked in the first place was believing her thoughts were unrehearsed. The appeal of improvisation is the same in music. Those ancient arguments when I was a teenager – is Keith Jarrett making it up on the spot or not? No he’s not! Yes he is! Could spontaneous composition be a thing?
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Another comic on the bill indeed was improvising, Becky Johnson. She asks for a subject from the audience, then makes it up. As connected to her art form as the best musical improvisors, walking a high wire between buildings and no net. How natural or unnatural her reactions are what I find myself listening for. A little scary how perfectly she crosses. When dealing with customs officers at the border, this is the person you want to have with you.
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I wonder sometimes about stand up. What subjects I would gab about. And if I said something funny how much pressure might one feel to remember it for next time and avoid improvising.