Comments for Stet Lab (a space for improvised music in Cork, Ireland)

Comment on Lab report November 10th 2008: out of my depth by Han-earl Park

Han-earl Park — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:40:39 +0000

Thanks for the kind words. Glad we were inspiring

The brain working over-time is an issue that I do battle with.

My brain (and I’m guessing yours) is working all the time… and should be working all the time. It’s the thing that stops us doing ‘mindless’ auto-pilot nonsense. I think I know what you mean, but the problem isn’t so much the brain or mind, but the devil-on-my-shoulder (call it the critic, the nanny)—the entity that always second guesses choices and gets in the way of a decision.

Could it be nerves?

Funny thing is, I’m actually almost certain that wasn’t the case: I felt pretty relaxed…

This is something I go through sporadically. Some new context or stimulus that I’m ill prepared to deal with. I agree, this is how we learn (change and mutate) as performers, as improvisers, perhaps as people.

Comment on Lab report November 10th 2008: the rockstar wannabes by Han-earl Park

Han-earl Park — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:29:59 +0000

I agree that “a bit of friction and roughness” adds something to an improvised performance… My two cents (and plenty of people who would disagree with me), but, for me, those moments of instability and fragmentation (for lack of better word) make a ‘successful’ improvisation.

So, Veronica, what would it take to encourage you not to “hold back”?

Thanks for the music (and writing about it)!

Han

Comment on Lab report November 10th 2008: out of my depth by Veronica

Veronica — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:14:39 +0000

This is a fascinating review and one that I relate to much. The brain working over-time is an issue that I do battle with. Could it be nerves?

If we look at improvisation from a social point of view, is it that maybe like the way as humans we develop as we mature and wisen, that once again your improvisation technique and views are once again re-developing. They do say that we are always learning or re-learning. Or another way to look at it is Religion: one’s religion
Personally I found the duets between you and Franziska to be intense (in the positive sense of the word) and inspiring.

Comment on Lab report July 10th 2008: consequences of a noisy head by Veronica Tadman

Veronica Tadman — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:32:42 +0000

I am really upset that I missed this Stet Lab: Tony’s review really is a positive one. I particularly agree with him on the idea of how the response should be immediate and there shouldn’t be room for the brain to think about it. The speed duets that we did in February really re-instate this fact and is something that I should really take on board!

Comment on Lab report October 9th 2008: being Paul Desmond by Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) « Safety First

Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) « Safety First — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:33:11 +0000

[...] Listening to Han, Veronica and Jesse perform at the October Stet Lab showcased (as Han pointed out) a huge difference in approaches to improvising. This strategy (does it have a name?) allows for [...]

Comment on Lab report June 12th 2008: being the odd-one-out by teaching diary 08/10/08: diplomacy « Safety First

teaching diary 08/10/08: diplomacy « Safety First — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:39:25 +0000

[...] is actually the first time I play in the 2008–2009 Safety First class. Like I’ve said elsewhere, I’m a little stuck in this post-Campbell pseudo-bluegrass mode. (Doesn’t help that my right [...]

Comment on Lab report July 10th 2008: consequences of a noisy head by han

han — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:07:43 +0000

Well, there’s certainly nothing wrong with melody. (We’d never ban such things at Stet Lab, would we…?)

Anyway, it’s interesting that we both felt lost during that first duet. Wonder if it’ll be one of those recordings that grows on me… certainly I’m finding new stuff in it everytime I listen to it.

Comment on Lab report June 12th 2008: noisiest ‘hoedown’ by Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:09:38 +0000

Yo!, I was looking around for a while searching for bass guitar accessories and I happened upon this site and your post regarding ort June 12th 2008: noisiest ‘hoedown’ at Stet Lab (a space for improvised music in Cork, Ireland), I will definitely add this to my bookmarks!

Comment on Lab report June 12th 2008: being the odd-one-out by han

han — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:58:01 +0000

One more thing: since that Lab, I’ve been semi-stuck (and not in an unpleasant way) in the post-Campbell pseudo-bluegrass mode.

One of the hardest things for a guitarist (in particular, perhaps, former-pianist guitarists) to learn was to tightly synchronized your left and right hands’ motions. There’s no point in articulating a string with your right hand if your left hand’s not in position (stopped, muted or otherwise). Consequently, one of the most interesting exercises was trying to unlearn that—to break that left-right link.

An interesting side-effect of this is trying to create a kind of Oxley-esque multiple meter feel; something I kinda stumble upon around during ‘toilette bourgeoise’ (fast forward to about 4:20). It’s half-baked in this performance, but I’m working on it; it’ll be something I’ll be looking into…

Comment on Lab report June 12th 2008: noisiest ‘hoedown’ by eoin

eoin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:31:25 +0000

Oh and people can’t hear you when you mess up……………. sorry I forgot how to type!