Introduction
The Blank Canvas Octet is a `telematic` project, meaning its host is the internet.
The current platform is 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 this month in 2024; the day of the week is Wednesday, and the times are: `Doors open` at 19.00 UTC and the session starts at 19.30 UTC after a sound check and social chat.
The dates
- Wednesday, January 03, 2024
- Wednesday, January 10, 2024
- Wednesday, January 17, 2024
- Wednesday, January 24, 2024
- Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Who can attend?
The regular sessions are for participants, ensemble associates and three audience members.
The set list
Since its inception, the presence of a set list, created in advance, has supported the Octet in exploring the riches System 50:50 offers, sustaining diversity, and keeping the playing fresh.
The reward.
This project is rewarding and a success. It allows improvisers from around the country to meet. Play together every week.
Feel the potential!
Schedule 2024
19.00 GMT
Wednesday, January 03, 2024
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Wednesday, February 07, 2024
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Wednesday, March 06, 2024
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
19.00 GMT/UTC +1
Wednesday, April 03, 2024
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Wednesday, May 01, 2024
Wednesday, May 08, 2024
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Wednesday, June 05, 2024
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Wednesday, July 03, 2024
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Wednesday, August 07, 2024
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Wednesday, September 04, 2024
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Wednesday, October 02, 2024
Wednesday, October 09, 2024
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
19.00 GMT/UTC
Wednesday, November 06, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Wednesday, December 04, 2024
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
System 50 50
The Blank Canvas Octet is a project exploring free ensemble improvisation in music in a large ensemble. 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. It is 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.`
The Blank Canvas Octet during this month in 2024 will feature the following, more or less:
CLAYTON JACKSON, electronics and objects, Silverdale
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, Gill Whiteley, Geoff Bright and Garfield Southall
Currently this is a closed project. meaning closed to new members.
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.