Autoschediasm

/ˌɔːtəˈskɛdiæzəm/ noun

Definition

The practice or art of improvising or composing without preparation; creating something spontaneously and extemporaneously.

Etymology

From Greek autoschedios (extemporaneous) + -ism (practice or condition). Rare scholarly term derived from ancient Greek rhetoric terminology describing impromptu speaking or composition.

Kelly Says

Jazz musicians are masters of autoschediasm—they improvise entire solos without sheet music, and this ancient Greek term actually describes exactly what they're doing!

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