Start here - introduction to the basic concepts

[Phil Morton]

The basic offer in System 50:50 for a piece that lasts 20 minutes is 10 minutes tacet, 10 minutes freeplay.
This could also be described as a ratio of 1:1
We can if we wish to, change the clock settings or the clock ratios, so in this example of a 20 minute piece the settings could be 12 minutes tactet and 8 minutes freeplay

We can then play two pieces, with the settings reversed
Piece 1 - 12 minutes tacet : 8 minutes freeplay = The total duration of the piece is 20 minutes
Piece 2 - 8 minutes tacet : 12 minutes freeplay = The total duration of the piece is 20 minutes

When we play the two pieces together, we may:
hear the different ratios or relationships of freeplay to obligated silence
feel the different ratios or relationships of freeplay to obligated silence
to be continued

Obstacle :

Technically speaking, two clocks are required for this exercise or score, in practice ensemble members / workshop participants are asked to reverse the settings `in their heads` - this maybe easier said than done. Solutions: provide two clocks, change the clock settings during the intermission, that is the tacet time between the two pieces.

Feedback and comments welcome

Webpage at improvisers networks online

here is a youtube presentation