ABSTRACT
In this chapter I offer a sociological reflection upon improvisation. The chapter has three main sections. In the first I consider the space afforded improvisation by two concepts widely used by sociologists to account for human social action: ‘rules’ and ‘habit’. Both could be interpreted in such a way as to preclude improvisation, but I suggest that the way in which they are typically interpreted in sociology both allows for improvisation and helps us to understand it. In the second section I suggest that improvisation is achieved in a step-wise manner within a process of interaction, with the improviser being inspired and guided by the need to respond to what precedes their action. Often this interaction will involve two social actors, but in the third section, I argue both that it typically also involves reflexive interaction between the actor and themselves and that in some cases such reflexive interaction may be the key driver. The chapter draws upon a number of sociological studies of jazz improvisation, but I contend that improvisation is a routine feature of everyday life. Exploring practices, such as jazz, where improvisation is foregrounded and celebrated, allows us to better understand its more mundane forms.
