Improvisation Assessment Profiles (IAP)

In a Nutshell

The Improvisation Assessment Profiles (IAP) of Kenneth E. Bruscia focus on the assessment of clients in music therapy. Applying them includes clinical observation, musical analysis, and psychological interpretation of the musical improvisation. The focus on improvisation as experienced by the clients and as a musical result is an essential characteristic of the IAPs. 

The IAPs consist of six different profiles whereas each focuses on different aspects of musical improvisation: Integration, Variability, Tension, Congruence, Salience, and Autonomy. Each profile rates sequences or complete improvisations on a scale of 5 discrete gradients. Analysing an improvisation with a single profile includes the analysis of several musical scales (like rhythm, tempo, volume, or timbre) that are assigned to the chosen profile. 

The analysis of an improvisation can either be conducted starting from one of the profiles or from a chosen musical scale that is afterwards contextualised in the different profiles. 

Role in HIGH-M

The Improvisation Assessment Profiles are the foundation of the HIGH-M project. Of main interest is the Autonomy Profile, which focuses on the dynamics of social interaction between client and therapist.

The Autonomy Profile differentiates the following five gradients: Dependent, Follower, Partner, Leader, and Resister. The automated analysis of those five gradients on different musical scales is the aim of the HIGH-M project. 

The Autonomy Profile is, furthermore, the basis of the Autonomy Microanalysis by Thomas Wosch. 

A short text titled "Autonomy" with the following wording: "This profile deals with the kinds of role relationships formed between the improvisers. Scales within the profile describe the extent to which each musical element and component is used to lead or follow the other. The five gradients are:". A horizontal scale of five equal gradients is shown below, each labelled as follows : Dependent, Follower, Partner, Leader and Resister.
Bruscia, K. E. (1987). Improvisational Models of Music Therapy. C.C. Thomas, 405.

Literature

Bruscia, K. E. (1987). Improvisational Models of Music Therapy. C.C. Thomas.