x9200 wrote: For improvisation, I don't feel there is much improvisation in Prog outside of instrumental solos, which mainstream Rock has as well, just shorter.
Yes, but improvisations are generally about instrumental solos also in jazz.
This (Jan Akkerman, Hocus Pocus):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy-27U13 ... re=related
quoted by JR8 the other time.
Just for the record - as at some points we go above the songs themself and into the 'compositional philosophy' being employed. Some years ago I was talking about versions/improv with Jan and he said [roughly] 'I never play a song live twice in the same way'.
I think you see it it that vid. He has the clear general direction and enjoys producing an elaborate rendition incorporating it. But a bit like skiing off-piste, after many many years, adding to the challenge and doing variations on your path keep it fresh; and in fact it is the small impromptu flourishes on the path that facilitate it.