free improvisation

el nadador del · #1 05-21-2008, 01:12 PM

greets all
just wondering if there are any other bassists who dabble in and/or perform solely free improvisational music? i hunted around a bit and couldn't find any other posts regarding free improv. however, if there is one or a group, please let me know.
Thanks!
J

Kennethfaria · #2 05-21-2008, 01:44 PM

i know Victor wooten started playing at restaurants. What he did there, was basically improv. no sheet music, just the stuff he made up on the spot.

Hoover · #3 05-22-2008, 08:19 AM

I played a lot in Boston's free-improv scene during the 1990's: I was the bassist in Debris (see website in my sig) for most of that band's 10 year history; Debris was almost equal parts rigorously written compositions and free-improvisation...sometimes simultaneously. I also played in Mass Eye & Ear (an 18-piece free-improvising collective) for a few years, and did a lot of one-off performances with various individual improvisors (including Ken Vandermark, Cuong Vu, Taylor Ho Bynum, Mat Maneri, Andrew D'Angelo, etc.)

In 2004 I released an entirely improvised CD with a trio called Angora (which included former members of Barkmarket and Teratoma), and I still play with those guys regularly.

JAUQO III-X · #4 05-22-2008, 08:23 AM

I've done many projects that were 110% improvised as well as two full length CD's. One released a few years ago and one that I will be releasing some time this year.

Bruce Lindfield · #5 05-22-2008, 09:01 AM

I have regular Jazz classes and go to Jazz Summerschool each year and free improv has become a big part of this.

So - using it as a way of freeing yourself up, as part of the learning process. Generally what will happen is being put in random small groups of musicians and playing together - but with no preconceived idea or discussion.

Not necessarily a regular group format either - it could be bass, sax and piano or any combination of instruments.

I've also done classes studying the approaches that Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler, Coltrane etc. took towards Free Improv.

So I have played completely free in groups and for an audience - but never for a paying audience!!

obviousmrfuller · #6 05-22-2008, 09:20 AM

I was a part of the Chicago jam band scene in the 90's. Mostly in the suburbs playing w/different bands and collectives. I am trying to re-establish a jam side project w/a guitarer friend and so far we sound pretty good w/just drum loops. Very mellow. I might put up a myspace w/the instrumentals we have so far.

tomvelsor · #7 05-22-2008, 09:27 AM

the relative funktions bass player does a lot of that funky on the spot improv ;]

seriously though, a lot of the bands ive played in tend to be heavily based on improv groove work.

el nadador del · #8 05-22-2008, 11:15 AM

Wow, I really appreciate all the replies!
I just started getting into free improvisational music here in college. Before, I always thought "improvisation" meant either something based in Jazz music (or perhaps classical) but I never heard of something entirely free of form, something were tone and communication is the 'goal". I find it so enjoyable! It has honestly helped my listening skills as well... but more so, my appreciation of what music can be.
Once again, I appreciate the replies! Keep 'em coming!
J

Marcury · #9 05-22-2008, 12:39 PM

Throughout the 80s i played exclusively free. worked in a trio called Border Patrol. Myself (bass) as Tenor player and drums (we added others at times). We played around the city. Our goal was spontaneous composition, really listening to each other and coming to conclusive endings.

Hoover · #10 05-22-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el nadador del

I never heard of something entirely free of form

Often the goal of free improvisation is not "something entirely free of form" but rather something entirely free of pre-conceived form...the goal then becomes to spontaneously create the form (along with all the other aspects of a musical moment).

el nadador del · #11 05-22-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

Often the goal of free improvisation is not "something entirely free of form" but rather something entirely free of pre-conceived form...the goal then becomes to spontaneously create the form (along with all the other aspects of a musical moment).

Hi Hoover
Excellent point. I suppose I consider it "free of form" because it lacks the traditional aspects of the genres I have studied thus far. I am traditionally a guitarist and have studied classical and jazz. Now, with bass, I am reigning in all these techniques and approaches acquired through study.
Since getting into free improv I have been listening to a wide variety of artists. In doing so I have become aware of a "form" which, to me at least, seems to have just as much complexity and thought/emotion as any other style.
J

Hoover · #12 05-22-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el nadador del

Excellent point. I suppose I consider it "free of form" because it lacks the traditional aspects of the genres I have studied thus far.

But that's the thing: the only traditional aspect of the genres you have studied thus far that free improvisation lacks is strict pre-determination of every event. (And arguably traditional genres can never entirely pre-determine every event...but that's a topic for another discussion.)

Form, structure, harmony, orchestration, arrangement, counterpoint, etc etc etc...free-improv can use all of these aspects. You just have to be really good to be able to create them extemporaneously!

JAUQO III-X · #13 05-22-2008, 04:12 PM

There really is a structure to improvised music.

JimK · #14 05-22-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kennethfaria

i know Victor wooten started playing at restaurants. What he did there, was basically improv. no sheet music, just the stuff he made up on the spot.

He started a lot earlier than that...with his 4 other brothers playing Top-40 R&B of the day (mid-'70s?).

JimK · #15 05-22-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

I've done many projects that were 110% improvised as well as two full length CD's. One released a few years ago and one that I will be releasing some time this year.

http://www.amazon.com/Improvision-Al...1493939&sr=8-1
This Matt Garrison/Jeff Sipe/Alex Machacek album is kinda in the same vein as J-III's improvised project...IMO, J.

JAUQO III-X · #16 05-22-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

http://www.amazon.com/Improvision-Al...1493939&sr=8-1
This Matt Garrison/Jeff Sipe/Alex Machacek album is kinda in the same vein as J-III's improvised project...IMO, J.

I agree.

Wait until you here the new one I have coming out.

jerry · #17 05-22-2008, 05:40 PM

A couple recent mostly improvised CD's in my rotation are: Free Form Funky Freqs: 'Urban Mythology' with Vernon Reid, Jamaaladeen Tacuma & Calvin Weston.
Bernie Worrell: 'Improvisczario' with Will Calhoun & Brett Bass.
The before mentioned Alex Machacek project with Garrison & *Sipe.

*Sipe is involved in a lot of improvised music including a lot of his solo stuff.......also see, Project Z

JimK · #18 05-22-2008, 06:40 PM

Jerry-
That Urban Mythology, Vol. 1 is bad!

JimK · #19 05-22-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

I agree.

Wait until you here the new one I have coming out.

I'm there, J.
...bring it!

JAUQO III-X · #20 05-22-2008, 09:53 PM

Hey J, it features Bernard Purdie and guitarist Kudzai Kasambira. I also recored a project with Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Calvin Weston but I'm not sure when I'll be releasing that one.

Right before Vernon, Jamaaladeen and Calvin recorded the Free Funk Frequency project, me and Vernon were discussing doing a project together.

I play Pop, soul, R&B, Funk, rock etc but I really really cut my teeth on improvisational music, it's in my blood for sure