Reading Task 6

What is the difference between composing and improvising? What is the difference between convergent and divergent thinking?
How is the type of thinking developed during creative activities different from the type of thinking in most of the rest of schooling?

Composing is a planned activity, one that is not spontaneous but, rather, allows for revision and refinement. Improvising, on the other hand, is instantaneous and, while it does often follow a set of rules, it occurs on the spot and without the ability to repeat, refine, or alter it. Both are important for students to experience; unfortunately, most teachers do not put much emphasis on composition. Convergent thinking, then, is thinking that converges on a specific correct answer. Divergent thinking, however, is linked to creative thinking – divergent thinking allows students to use their imaginations. This very much includes improvisation. Composition is comprised of both kinds of thinking – the convergent thinking component requires certain parameters to be followed, but the divergent thinking component allows students to compose whatever they would like inside those parameters.

Most school subjects are taught to specific information. Math has only correct answers; social studies is a specific, factual history; science, theories notwithstanding, is mostly taught on facts; and English refines writing skills along guideline and rules. This is very much convergent thinking. However, music is often quite the opposite. While some rules do exist (and, as I mentioned above, there certainly is some convergent thinking is music classrooms), music is very much about being creative and inventive – divergent thinking.

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