The essence of Cantonese folk ensemble lies within its spontaneity and unrestrained spirit,diverging markedly from the structured confines of Western notational practices.Characterized by its"casual and free"approach,the sonic outcomes of these ensembles are unique to each performance,with no two iterations being identical.This study delves into the practice of Cantonese music ensemble,employing an ethnographic lens on musical performance to scrutinize the creative process within the context of live interpretation.It dissects the'presence'—the real-time interaction and collaboration among musicians within their cultural milieu.This paper aims to elucidate the ways in which folk musicians in Cantonese ensembles conceive and navigate the landscape of impromptu performance,thereby contributing to the understanding of improvisational dynamics in traditional music forms.
Cantonese MusicImprovisational EnsemblePerformer InteractionEthnomusicologyPerformance Practice