Free improvisation
Free improvisation or free music is improvised music without any rules, and not in any particular style. Performers may choose to play in a certain style or key, or at a certain tempo, but it is not required.
Free music is a relatively little known genre, and none of its exponents can be said to be "famous" amongst the general public. However, in experimental circles, a number of free musicians are well known, including the guitarist Derek Bailey, and the saxophonists Peter Brötzmann and Evan Parker.
- List of free improvising musicians and groups (please add names in alphabetical order)
- AMM
- Derek Bailey- Guitar
- Anthony Braxton- Saxophone
- Han Benninck- Percusion
- Steve Beresford
- Birdyak (Bob Cobbing and Hugh Metcalfe duo)
- Ian Brighton- Guitar
- The Brotherhood of Breath
- John Butcher
- Company
- Lol Coxhill- Saxophone
- Guenther Christmann-Trombone, Cello
- Terry Day- Percussion
- Johnny Dyani- Double bass
- The Feminist Improvising Group
- G F Fitzgerald- Guitar
- Fred Frith- Guitar
- Patrick Frye III- Harpsichord, Piano and Synthesizer
- Barry Guy- Double bass
- Tristan Honsinger- Cello
- Iskra 1903
- Steve Lacey- Saxophone
- Paul Lovens- Drums
- Paul Lytton- Drums
- Misha Mengelberg- Piano, toys
- Phil Minton- Voice
- Louis Moholo- Drums
- Tony Oxley- Percussion
- Maggie Nichols- Voice
- Evan Parker- Saxophone
- Frank Perry- Percussion
- Radar Favourites
- Red Balune
- Hans Reichel- Guitar
- Keith Rowe- Guitar
- The Sisterhood of Spit
- Roger Smith- Guitar
- Spontaneous Music Ensemble
- John Stevens- Percussion and trumpet
- Keith Tippett- Piano
- Voice Crack
- Philip Wachsman- Violin
- Kenny Wheeler- Trumpet
- See also: free jazz, Musics magazine, Incus Records