How to Participate 
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How to Participate in This Conversation?I thank you for your interest in this site.As you can probably guess, this is an area of thinking that has consumed many years of my life. To me, it is the most interesting subject in human thought. It involves creativity, it involves consciousness, and it involves music. Hard to beat. I am hopeful that you will participate so that we can explore this compelling subject together. In order to do so, I have spelled out some ideas to help that to happen.
What Is This About and Where Is It Going?The purpose of this site is to investigate the underlying principles that permit real-time, musical improvisation. It is intended as a conceptual discussion in addition to a practical assist for people interested in expanding their capabilities in this area. So it's a balance of concept and practice - like most things worth doing.Since we're just getting started, most of the content will be in the form of short articles I've written - articles that I was planning to release as a book called, "The Metaphysics of Improvisation." That still may happen one day. In the meantime, rather than have these articles gather dust, I've opted to share them with you and the world - in order to start a conversation with you. There's no telling where this conversation will take us. The thing I most want is the expansion of this conversation beyond just me. I want this site to develop into a collection of useful ideas that help people become better improvisers, better musicians and better creative people. And I really need other voices to share their wisdom in order to accomplish these goals. To prime the pump, I will pour my heart and time into posting compelling content for your use. I will provide a place for you to interact with me and with one another. I will jump through hoops to make this site the best resource on the web regarding the subject. And I will respond to your inquiries personally as time allows. In return, I ask that you register and submit your ideas to the collective. In time, I will probably need people to assist in the selection, editing and posting of content - text, audio and video.
Content OwnershipGiven this intention, all information posted on this site is owned by the authors of the content who created that content. This includes me, and this includes you. If we share our information here, and someone wants to quote us (something I strongly support), we have to expressly give our permission for reprint and they are required to cite our byline (name, contact info, etc.) accompanying the quotation. So don't forget to include permission and byline info at the end of each substantive article.Here is a simple way of giving permission: FREE Reprint Rights - You may publish this article in your e-zine or on your web site as long as you include the following author bio at the end of the article: ©Year - Your Name - Description. To contact, please visit: http://www.yoursite.com Or something like that... Please also understand that as you register and post your thoughts and ideas here, you are granting Music-Improv.com a non-expiring license for their use on this site. I know it's obvious, but I want to protect the open-forum nature of the site in order to support a free flow of ideas. Naturally, you retain all ownership and are totally unrestricted in the use of your own ideas and articles.
Additional InformationI will never lend, share, rent or sell your personal information. Ever.Occasionally, I will offer articles, books and music for sale. At some point, this site must be self-supportive. I am trying to figure out the best way that can happen, while preserving an open feel to the site. I had considered a membership model, but changed my mind because I really want people's participation sooner rather than later. So, for now, I'm willing to accept donations. We'll see how that works.
Next StepsIf you decide you want to participate, you will need to create a "new account" in the Member Access area on the home page of this site. After being confirmed as being an actual person, you will have access to all the content on the site and be permitted to submit your own ideas and articles for posting.In addition, you will notice that all posted Articles have a dedicated Forum thread attached. This permits registered users to discuss the article in greater depth. Use the link below the article to access that thread. I have a few suggestions for your submissions, as I have limited time for editing, etc:
Remember the purpose of the site is to provide useful information that gets people back to the business of making music. If you decide that registration is not for you right now, please do sign up for the newsletter, so i can notify you when any substantive articles are posted. Obviously, if new content is posted all the time, I will have to scale that back - so I don't drive you all crazy. We'll figure out a good balance, so it doesn't get to that point. If you know of anyone who would be interested in the subject of this site, I ask that you share the URL with them so we can have the benefit of their input. I really do want to mix it up here. This site features a standard RSS feed and a "Podcast" RSS feed, which allows for the latest articles and audio respectively to be syndicated to your web site. Simply copy the link from either or both RSS Newsfeed Icons on the Home Page and either subscribe to them in a "news reader" or paste it into your site. And if you are inspired to do so, I will happily accept your donations. I will get a PayPal button set up soon.
ConclusionsI hope you will gain insight and inspiration from this site. Within one year, I'm hopeful we will have more useful content about music improvisation than any site. You can help to build that resource. You can participate in asking the right questions and providing your own unique answers. And together we can all enjoy the benefit of each other's brilliance.I look forward to our productive and cooperative efforts. Peace and Creativity, Ben Dowling, President of Music-Improv.com
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