not the ordinary path...

"...devices that I know that will take me out of the ordinary path" - John Coltrane

With about a month until the show, I thought I would write about how we have been preparing in a bit more detail.  We have our cross-training, of course;  but really, what is it that we do when we come to together in the studio?  The questions is: how do you rehearse improvisation?  You don't.  You can't.  For us, rehearsal is the practice of performance, not for performance.  We take our cue from Mr. Coltrane and we create "devices", intuitive and technical, that we use to carry us from what we know; so, we can discover and uncover things. 

Some sample devices: who is leading?  is this a solo? a duet?  a rug.  pause, exit, repetition, enter, stillness, mirroring.  who is following?  last week's subway ride.  body parts.  lamps verses flashlights.
the radio.

We apply limitations and freedoms, keeping in mind that these devices, can and will be lost in the spontaneity of the real-time compositions.  They are simply a beat that one can always return to... 

So, rehearsal goes: 
1. arrange the space
2. discuss what devices we will employ for the practice
3. GO

The most important thing is that we react to our immediate environment.  We are practicing how to address our own thoughts and the thoughts of the collective.  We aim to deliver "on the spot" responses.  And, what we get is newness: new patterns, new structures, new moves, new shadows, new shades. 

Improvisation is a practiced.  It is technical.  It is its own technique.  
But, really...it is magic.  :)

-Rach
 
STAY TUNED AND SEE YA AT THE SHOW!