[MD] Creative Freedom in Jazz

[David Harding]

Hi Dan,

> Dan:
> Well, possibly... but I'm not sure you're taking this part into account:
>
> “It’s very important to remember,” Evans says, “that no matter how far
> I might diverge or find freedom in this format, it only is free
> insofar as it has reference to the strictness of the original form.
> And that’s what gives it its strength. In other words, there is no
> freedom except in reference to something.”
>
> He is adamant that there is always a reference base pertaining
> strictly to the original form. That part is never gone... if it were,
> the work of art isn't good... in fact it would devolve into nonsense.
> At least that's how I read this.


Yes. So taking it back to the rta analogy..

"The explanation for this contradiction is the belief that you don't
free yourself from static patterns by fighting them with other
contrary static patterns, that is called bad Karma chasing its tail.
You free yourself from static patterns by putting them to sleep. That
is you master them with such proficiency, that they become an
unconscious part of your nature. You get so used to them you
completely forget them and they are gone. There at the center of the
most monotonous boredom of static ritualistic patterns, the dynamic
freedom is found."

In other words, he couldn't just start playing other patterns which he
hadn't mastered. He could only play those patterns which he had. So
long as he did that the dynamic freedom was found.

-David