Introduction
50:50 online is a `telematic` project, it is an online event hosted zoom.us.
The ensemble employs system 50:50 to deliver music that is related to the genre: `free improvisation in music `
There is a schedule for weekly events during 2023, the day of the week is Wednesday, the times are: `Doors open` 19.00 UTC + 1 session starts 19.30 UTC + 1
and here are the dates.
The regular sessions are for participants and project associates.
A series of Octets will be made from the set list. For example, were there to be twelve improvisers on the set list, four would sit out one set as a member of the audience and there would be three sets of improvised music. Everyone will play, but not necessarily in every set.
This project is rewarding and a success. It allow improvisers from around the country to meet. play together on a weekly basis.
Feel the potential!
Schedule 2023
January 4, 2023
January 11, 2023
January 18, 2023
January 25, 2023
February 1, 2023
February 8, 2023
February 15, 2023
February 22, 2023
March 1, 2023
March 8, 2023
March 15, 2023
March 22, 2023
March 29, 2023
April 5, 2023
April 12, 2023
April 19, 2023
April 26, 2023 - 3 audience tickets are available.
May 3, 2023
May 10, 2023
May 17, 2023
May 24, 2023
May 31, 2023 - 3 audience tickets are available.
June 7, 2023
June 14, 2023
June 21, 2023
June 28, 2023 -
July 5, 2023
July 12, 2023
July 19, 2023
July 26, 2023 - 3 audience tickets are available.
August 2, 2023
August 9, 2023
August 16, 2023
August 23, 2023
August 30, 2023 - 3 audience tickets are available.
September 6, 2023
September 13, 2023
September 20, 2023
September 27, 2023 -
October 4, 2023
October 11, 2023
October 18, 2023
October 25, 2023 -
November 1, 2023
November 8, 2023
November 15, 2023
November 22, 2023
November 29, 2023 -
December 6, 2023
December 13, 2023
December 20, 2023
December 27, 2023 -
About System 50:50
The Blank Canvas Octet is a project exploring free ensemble improvisation in music in a large ensemble context. It uses the ‘system 50:50` - where chess clocks are used to bring cohesion to the sound field which can often become cluttered. The result is a dynamic and shifting canvas of sound that allows small discreet sounds to be heard and deeper layers to be felt and expressed. An exciting project to participate in, to witness and to hear.
Charlie Collins, improviser, Sheffield wrote on system 50:50 “Definitely something with LOADS of possibilities - the reaction in the car driving back was unbelievably positive - no one could remember playing in a large ensemble that was so "open". The openness allowed me to play quietly, which meant the dynamics were incredible for an improvising large ensemble.” -
Another point of listening comes from Simon Ross, Macclesfield. `System 50/50 works well - it’s a really good way to get a group to play effectively without egos, virtuosity, and shyness getting in the way. It is democratic, inclusive, coherent, leaderless, focused, there is room to think and time to listen, choices. It is less competitive and more cooperative. Ends well.`
Dan Goren, Oxford Improvisers. `"It seems to me that any attempt to restrict what free improvisers play, presents a threat to the core nature of their music. Generally, 'To play or not play' is about as far as any predetermination can productively go, the player retaining (almost!) complete formal agency regarding when and what (s)he decides to play"
Richard Harding Liverpool. ``Sometimes in free improv it is just not working but we carry on in the hope it will get better, in system 50:50 if it (free improv) is not working one can select tacet and stop playing`
Jon Aveyard, Lecturer UCLan University. `It gives me permission to do nothing`
Helen Conning, Liverpool. It is democratic
The players
The Blank Canvas Octet during this month in 2023 will feature the following, more or less:
CLAYTON JACKSON, electronics and objects, Silverdale
GARFIELD SOUTHALL, guitar, Chester
GEOFF BRIGHT, reeds, Sheffield
GILL WHITELEY, strings, Sheffield : website
GUILLERMO TORRES, sound, Spain.
LYN HODNETT, voice, Wales & other
MARTIN HACKETT, Korg Ms, Oxford
PHIL MORTON, accidents and treatments, Liverpool
PAUL MEDLEY. clarinet, Oxford
CHRIS PARFITT, misc, Bridgend, Wales
IRENE IZQUIERDO, voice, Berlin
ROBIN HARTWELL, liverpool.
lapsed members; DAN GOREN, trumpet, Chipping Norton, Nick Branton, reeds, Liverpool. SABINE KUSMAUL, guitar, Macclesfield
Tickets
Free tickets and information for audience members: currently not available
Interested in just listening in, being a member of an audience? You can do this once a month, on the last Wednesday of the month.
Tickets
Tickets for audience members are available at Eventbrite:
For the correct and up to date Eventbrite link please visit the Eventbrite tab in this article.
Or let us know by sending an email to: philmorton at improvisersnetwork.co.uk
What is on offer?
- You are invited to join the online session.
- First time
- You need to a conversation about the session and what is involved.
- This is a `once only` meeting usually an hour before the session starts
- For first timers and strangers this is not negotiable.
- Repeat attenders.
- No need to join the meeting before the session
- You will be sent the zoom link for the session.
- During the session
- During the session, when the Octet are playing you have you audio muted and video feed switched off.
- At other times, the microphone settings and video settings are optional. You can be sociable.
- Done
What you need
- A compuer
- Broadband
- A basic understanding of how zoom works.
- An audio system that allows you to listen to the session
Information: how an improviser, musician can participate as a `Ghost` :currently not available
The short story is.
If `free ensemble improvisation` is new to you or you may wish to engage discreetly with the Blank Canvas Octet you can be a `ghost`
A ghost participates in the session discreetly by muting their input to the session.
A ghost can interact with the live feed from the Blank Canvas Octet in their own space but not fill the sound field of the zoom performance.
Phil Morton writes, this an excellent opportunity yet to be tested for musicians who wish to explore improvisation whose histories and experience of free ensemble improvisation is thin, who are yet to acquire a composure in a free ensemble improvisation sound world environment. It can be experienced as a development process that can be added to or replace the practice of attending workshops. It is available weekly. The player can learn by `doing` . The availability of attendance is regular, frequent, it is weekly.
Alternatively: if the session is `full` an improvisers may attend: as a `ghost` or audience member as an alternative to the dissapointment of not attending.
System 50:50 is a simple process but sometimes simplicity maybe a challenge. Ghosting introduces all improvisers to system 50;50 in a safe environment. You can test and try system 50:50.
Tickets for audience members and ghosts
are available at Eventbrite: For the correct and up to date Eventbrite link please visit the Eventbrite tab in this article
Event information for active participants:
Weekly on a Wednesday during this month in 2023 and for the forseeable future.
"Doors" 19.00 BST
Sound check 19.10 - 19.30 BST
Concert starts 19.30 BST duration 40 minutes maximum
An online participatory event hosted by the web application ZOOM,us
Tickets at Eventbrite
Individual can attend the sessions, within the zoom framework, once per month, usually the last Wednesday of the month.
You will need access to the hardware and software to attend the online sessions.
If this is an obstacle let us know.
- The following link will take you to the host eventbrite account Improvisers networks online
- This will display a list of events, one of which is Blank Canvas octet Online, click on that option
- The Eventbrite tickets list is displayed here
Interested? Register here
Further Information for participating improvisers.
Interested?
if you are interested in this project as a participant let us know by completing the form below and we will be in touch
Top tips for the form
- Please confirm the name of the event that interests you?
- Suggested script: 5050 Online Blank Canvas Octet
- Date
- Either add a specific date that falls on a Wednesday or simply put any Wednesday
Video
The Blank Canvas octet
The nature and practice of free ensemble improvisation using System 50:50
Duration 6 minutes
Tacet 3 minutes
Free play 3 minutes
12 players
Office use
Object: Eventbrite page, target London
Developed by Phil Morton over a period of twenty years.
If you have tried this method or want to know more you can attend as a member of the audience a zoom session with The Blank Canvas Octet. The Octet has been meeting and working with system 50:50 for improvisers every week since May 2020.
Tickets (limited to three) to attend are available at Eventbrite.
Object: Eventbrite page, all regions, local to global
Developed by Phil Morton over a period of twenty years.
If you have tried this method or want to know more you can attend as a member of the audience a zoom session with The Blank Canvas Octet. The Octet has been meeting and working with system 50:50 for improvisers every week since May 2020.
Tickets (limited to three) to attend are available at Eventbrite.