Brighton Safehouse open sessions - 01.02.2023

What happens at a Safehouse Open Session?

How It Works

Best thing is to come along to one (first Wednesday of every month), and introduce yourself at the door. If you want to just check it out before committing to jumping in, that’s fine. Otherwise, if you are happy to dive in, then your name will be put in a hat. Then, at some point you’ll be called upon to join a small group (usually 4 people) and you’ll all just start making some sounds and see what happens.

There may or may not be any rhythm, tonal centre or structure to the pieces played. The music is free in that sense. No premeditated ideas or constrictions. Any sound is valid. It is a sonic conversation, in which players respond to each other as spontaneously as possible.

Pieces tend to last ten minutes or so and, ideally, find a natural ending. Hopefully, everyone that’s interested in sitting in will get at least a couple of turns through the night. Those not playing at any given time are the ever-supportive audience.

Amplification

All manner of instrumentation is welcome (acoustic, electric, electronic, voice). We have a PA for vocalists, but electric instrumentalists usually bring their own small combo amps.

Due to the acoustics of the room, we have been trying an acoustic aesthetic, meaning that we strive to keep the volume within the range of the quietest instrument involved in the piece. So, for example, if there is an acoustic violin in an improv with two saxophones and an electric guitar, then instead of trying to put a microphone on the violin, we would prefer the saxes and guitar remain sensitive to the limits of the violin and play accordingly, rather than drown it out with volume. Having said that, if all the instruments are capable of playing loud, then crank it up!

 

Schedule 2023

Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Disclaimer: this entry has not been posted by the event host or promoter. You are advised to check with the host or event promoter that all of the details listed in this site posting and associated calendar posting are true (eg venueook page & start time) before traveling to the event solely on the basis of what is presented here. Try the host website or event facebook page.

Time and costs

Time

Those wishing to listen can show up at anytime. Those wishing to play should arrive as close to 8pm as possible.

Cost

Since the players usually outnumber the audience, everyone present chips in £3 towards the room hire (members pay £2).

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: this entry has not been posted by the event host or promoter. You are advised to check with the host or event promoter that all of the details listed in this site posting and associated calendar posting are true (eg venueook page & start time) before traveling to the event solely on the basis of what is presented here. Try the host website or event facebook page.

 

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