[MD] Creative Freedom in Jazz

[Dan Glover]

Hello everyone

On Fri, Apr 6, 2012 at 7:44 PM, David Harding <davidjharding at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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.
>
>David H:
> 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."

Dan:
I think Phaedrus is discussing Buddhist rituals here in regard to
meditation, not artistic endeavors such as music, painting, writing,
motorcycle maintenance, etc. Note the next paragraph:

"Phaedrus saw nothing wrong with this ritualistic religion as long as
the rituals are seen as merely a static portrayal of Dynamic Quality,
a sign-post which allows socially pattern-dominated people to see
Dynamic Quality. The danger has always been that the rituals, the
static patterns, are mistaken for what they merely represent and are
allowed to destroy the Dynamic Quality they were originally intended
to preserve."

Dan comments:
Notice he says 'ritualistic religion' here. He seems to be saying that
these rituals break down social barriers and allow people to glimpse
Dynamic Quality. I don't see this as being the same as using intellect
to better develop skill sets and thereby become better artists.

>Dave H:
> 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.

Dan:

I don't think that's quite what he's saying... otherwise he'd just
play the same song. No, the artistic freedom he talks about finds its
strength in reference to original form but is something new and
unique.

Thank you,

Dan

http://www.danglover.com