Stet Lab is, and has been for some time, on indefinite hiatus. [More info…]
…a celebration of the practice of improvisation in all its diversity, complexity and, perhaps, contradictions
I usually refrain from commenting/report on a performance of mine, for the reason that I cannot see what I could/should add to the music… in fact, I quite agree with Leo Smith when he writes: “a piece of improvisation has been done, and after it’s done, there’s nothing to be said about it because it […]
On the eve of our highest profile event, with 13 events behind us, this might be a good time to reflect on the stuff I’ve learned (and am learning) about running a space for improvised music. I’m indebted to those who have told stories of, and given advice on, running no- or low-budget ventures elsewhere. […]
So the Sunday before Stet Lab I did a 24 hour detox, it was tough going as I wasn’t allowed to eat carbs or anything and there is only so much fruit and veg you can eat! Anyway what’s this got to do with Stet Lab? Well I found that January’s Lab was easily the […]
We rocked. I think I did some pretty damn good playing on December 9th. Nothing life changing perhaps, but I think it was a reasonable contrast my contribution to October and November’s Labs. But here’s the question: how do I know when I’m getting a little too… complacent is the wrong word—comfortable? Let me clarify […]
While in the past I’ve generally worked through group improvisations intuitively, the concept of working strategically has become more and more appealing for a number of reasons which I’m not going to get into here. No revelations, just re-considerations. The aspiration for this month’s Lab (though I admit I decided on it less that five […]
I knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Not exactly coasting, but I’ve been fairly comfortable with the tactics, strategies and lexicons I’ve deployed at Stet Lab. Minor criticisms here and there of course, but nothing that seemed to warrant a wholesale rethinking of what to play or how to improvise. But those […]
Normally, nothing runs through my head when improvising. Occasionally, a thought will suggest, in an unobtrusive way, “Oh, that’s quite cool, you should copy that”. Or, as when I was first messing around with extended techniques on my bass, “My luthier’s gonna kill me…” But, at this Stet Lab, for the first time, a thought […]