Re: Loopers-Delight-d Digest V01 #563

["Miko Biffle" <Miko.Biffle@asml.com>]

>> Assemblage of "known" phrases and response to others playing is pretty 
>much the bulk of what happens in improv. Truly reinventing oneself 
>(epiphany) and playing *entirely* new, unknown passages seems to be the 
>exception. Aspiring to that is the path, I guess... Using a combination 
>of a "blank sheet" approach to improv passages, and trying to think 
>thematically on my feet, seems to get me the most mileage. This presumes 
>that I and my partners are listening well and spontaneously reacting to 
>each other. 

>but there are techniques one can use to become more intimate with 'truly 
>reinventing oneself'. say, meditation, cultivating presence, practicing 
>being awake. i imagine a lot of us have observed how this elevates 
>playing.

I agree... State of mind is nearly everything in this process. To release 
oneself from expectations is a great gift. That's the wild card... we're 
sorta stuck with our physical limitations of technique and musical 'ideas'.

> i believe we are not computers. we are magic. i once wrote software to 
>compose new music based on existing patterns, using some pretty geeky AI 
>tricks. tho it was interesting, it was not human. perhaps, the music is 
>not in the notes. perhaps it lies in the space between spaces, the place 
>between places. the sound is just the carrier wave, the chariot. who 
>rides inside? love -jan p

It's so much more gratifying to actually play music, and even better to do 
it with others. That said... the discipline of working in the studio is a 
necessity. 

Peace,
-Miko