Liverpool quartet play system 50:50

The Liverpool quartet is a research and development group for the music system 50:50

Phil Morton, the curator of Centrifuge, writes:

System 50:50 - for workshops.  

Description:
The duration of the piece is agreed before the start of the piece
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 30 minutes, the performer plays for 15 minutes and is silent for 15 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, but other options could be explored.

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 screens 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: URL LINK
Link to image of an adapted chess clock URL LINK

In the beginning:
The system was originally devised or created for use in workshops and for large ensembles playing free improvised music. The system can be used for ensembles of any size, and with any duration. The simplicity of the system management device ‘the adapted chess clock’ enables the delivery of a wide range of outcomes from the simple to the complex.

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 has their own clock and manages their own time

Future Complexities:
There three variables at the heart of `System 5050` and they can be explored in a workshop environment. Research into the three variables is rewarding and resulted in the term called the `density index`

• The number of musicians
• The duration of the piece
• The percentage split or ratio between “free play” and “tacet”

The observation and strength of system 5050
`It is dynamic, different settings created by exploring the variables above can result in very different experiences and skill sets to be explored as an individual or group

Services and support:
Phil Morton has twenty adapted chess clocks which are available to interested parties. 

What happens next: To express an interest in this piece, hire some clocks,  contact Phil Morton: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. : UK: mobile 07999518582

With thanks to:
Phil Morton has worked on this concept for some time - 10 years - but he acknowledges with thanks the recent input from the following: Martin Hacket (Oxford Improvisers), Robin Hartwell (Liverpool ) and the Centrifuge wiki-network (North).

System 50:50 
P Morton: May 2017

(Mini) Rocket Science: Evan Parker, Peter Evans, and Sam Pluta

Merseyside Improvisers Orchestra play 50:50

The Friends Meeting House
School Lane
Liverpool

Saturday July 1st 8.00 pm
£5.00 and £3.00

Interactions: Watts & Grew/ Merseyside Improviser’s Orchestra with Steve Beresford Mon 19 Mar 2018 7:30 PM The Capstone Theatre Buy

Open Circuit Festival of New Music 2018

The Blank Canvas Octet Play 50:50

The Liverpoool based promoter of "free improvisation in music" Blank Canvas,

Blank Canvas (Merseyside uk) project team needs new members 

A wiki for venues used by Improvisers' (and associated artists) on Merseyside.