• To play "free ensemble improvised music"  using the music system, "System 50:50" - click here for more information
  • The open rehearsal section of the sessions will use System 50:50
• To play free ensemble improvisation in music - no time limit (aka un-metered)
• To play free ensemble improvisation in music - with a time limit (aka metered)

• Compositions, prepared in advance.
• Graphic scores
• Games and workshop pieces
• Text pieces, a treatise.
• Conduction or Cobra and their derivatives.
• Lo-fi, table-top electronics, experimental music, alternative folk, maximinimalist, non-linear film, field recording, high life jitter, reductionism, dictaphonics, new music, vocal jaxx, sound art, drone, glitch, noise and on and on and on

• First set is thirty six minutes
• A break, a social break.
• Second set is thirty six minutes
• Optional: small group, short piece ten minutes long (for contrast)

• To create a space and place where we can meet up
• To meet in a nice place, fit for purpose.
• To sustain a realistic schedule that supports the ensembles development.
• To have a minimum number of eight improvisers in attendance.
• To reach out and bring in improvisers from beyond Birmingham's borders.
• A social music created by social minds and bodies.
• To apply for funding to financially support the early years.

• Create something new in a musical sense owned by those present
• Explore the powers and possibilities of freedom, improvisation and their limits in music.

• Introducing silence into the ensemble sound generated through improvisation.
• Adjusting the size of the ensemble moment by moment,
• Empower the musicians with agency to shape the music through both sound and silence.

• The ensemble session will employ System 50:50 in Sound for improvisers.
• System 50:50 for improvisers achieves the aim and approach in any ensemble, regardless of its size, through the use of chess clocks labelled freeplay and tacet.

• This event is unsuitable for players and musicians new to the genre.
• Participation in this event is by invitation or application.
• THIS IS NOT AN OPEN SESSION. IT IS AGREED BEFORE THE DATE WHO IS PLAYING.
• Experienced improvisers are welcome; in other words, individuals who regularly participate in free ensemble improvisation during concerts are encouraged to APPLY.
• You are welcome to ask to attend if you are uncertain whether you meet the criteria. However, you may be asked to listen and discuss the options for the future.
• The number of attendees will be limited based on the room's capacity. All attendees must make a reservation.

Past participants

• PHIL MORTON, accidents and treatments
• TIM WISE, reeds, Salford.
• TIM VEAL, electronic, [Salford]
• GRAEME SHERRIF, keyboard [Manchester]

Lapsed or floating members of the Sextet: Julia Cadman, John Pearson, Adam Roberts, Yashashwi Sharma, Kristina Warren ( returned to the USA), PHIL LUCKING, trumpets, PHIL HARGREAVES, RICHARD HARDING, guitar, DAVID CANTER, bass clarinet, ROB THORPE, guitar (Manchester), ANDREW LESLIE HOOKER, no input mixer (Pandy Tudor), ALEX SCOTT, trombone, SABINE KAUSMALL, guitar, PETE JONES, guitar, IAN SIMPSON, guitar, DANIEL PAGE, electronics [St Helens], GEOFF BRIGHT, reeds, SIMON ROSS, Turntables, [Macclesfield], PAUL PIGNON [ Stockholm! ], CLAYTON JACKSON, [Lancaster] electronics, GILL WHITELEY, keys and strings [Sheffield], MARTIN HACKETT [ Oxford improvisers ],

plus ROBIN HARTWELL. (09.07.1950 -14/05/2026)

The aim is to create something new in a musical sense owned by those present by exploring the possibilities of freedom, improvisation and their limitations. The approach of System 50:50 for improvisers is to shape the sound with silence, to shape the ensemble size from moment to moment, then to empower the musicians with agency. They shape the music through active listening. The System 50:50 approach can be applied to ensembles of any size to achieve the aim

The duration of the piece is agreed before the start of the performance..
A performer must play for 50% of the duration of the piece and remain silent for 50% of the duration of the piece
Example

If the duration of the piece is 16 minutes, the performer plays for 8 minutes and is silent for 8 mins. Each player is free to choose when they play and when they are silent within the duration of the piece but they must have a 50/50 balance between playing and being silent. It is expected that each player will improvise their music.
Quick summary using 50:50 ratio

Each player `improvises` for 50% of the piece
Each player is `tacet` for 50% of the piece
The totals are aggregated
Each player/improviser has their own clock and manages their own time
Each player has `agency` over the content they share during the performance.

https://www.improvisersnetworks.online/system-50-50-an-introduction

Delivered by the primary and preferred time management option:

Mechanical chess clocks are required to facilitate the aim of the system. One of the pair of dials is called ‘tacet’ and the other ‘free play’.See image above. Each performer has an individual chess clock to monitor and manage their contribution. The performer plays when the ‘free play’ dial is running down and is silent when the ‘tacet’ dial is running down.

Youtube demonstration, Duration 1 minute Ratio 50:50 or 1:1 Content, is speech, status managed by the rocker (lever): URL LINK

Link to image of an adapted chess clock URL LINK

Selected feedback about system 50:50

Simon Ross (Macclesfield), Liverpool sessions

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 more cooperative. Ends well.

Charlie Collins Sheffield

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.”

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 England

`It gives me permission to do nothing`

Helen Conning, Liverpool.

It is democratic

Maggie Nicol - West Wales.

I want to buy twelve 50:50 clocks

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Email: please send an email, sharing your interest in this project to: philmorton@improvisersnetwork.co.uk

To register for this event and project via eventbrite, please follow the link below.
The link will display all events posted to the Improvisers Networks Online account.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/improvisers-networks-online-26497896907

RTM task name: BCE Liverpool Monthly 2024
List name: 2024 Mereyside.
Link
https://www.rememberthemilk.com/app/#list/48097526

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BST 31.03.2024
GMT 27.10.2024

UK Bank Holidays

https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays

Ensemble 50:50 Liverpool, Ship Mitre Thursday 27.06.2024 good2go at 7.30
Exploring the possibilities of freedom, improvisation and their limitations
This session is for musicians to meet new people, maintain old friendships and play music.
It is also a performance an audience can witness and listen to.

ALEXA: AI WRITES

Attention all improvisers and sonic artists! You can now participate in an online schedule as part of a hybrid practice. The Liverpool session, which is described in detail below, can lead to involvement in regular online sessions as part of the "new normal." These sessions occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The criteria for joining these online sessions may vary, but we do not have an audition or open-door policy. Instead, we would like to have a conversation with you to determine which session would best suit your needs and experiences. If you are interested in joining, please visit the registration tab in this article and add a note in the comments section of the form. Let us know that you are interested in the online System 50:50 sessions.

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