Free For All Frequently Asked Questions
answers by
Spike : Barney : Andrew : Josh : Dave
Barney says
Mostly Yes, if you ask the owner nicely and dont endanger the instruments safety! All the instuments that are provided are free for anyone to play at free for all.
Yes you are. yes you can.
I think If you can hum, you are a musician. The Hum is a often forgotten instrument.
Working out how to Play an instrument is what free for is about. I lot of the fun for me is picking up an instrument and trying to work out how to make sound, and then listening to that sound as part of a original piece of music, which is what the audience does at free for all. We turn sound into music, turn people into musicians just by listening and believing.
Music is a state of mind. If you listen to anything and think of it as music, it is music, regardless of what it may be or who may be making it, you or someone else. Its like musical alchemy, turning ordinary things into gold.......
Yes you can.
If you can speak a language you are already ahead in the game of improvising and interactive art.
Its a bit like asking how do you know what vocabulary to use. Do you you even think about that?
Knowing what key to play in is not a prerequisite for playing at free for all, in fact its probably true to say that it sounds better when you dont know what key to play in. Its more magical that way. You have to really engage with the music like a conversation. You may not understand everything, but it can be fun trying to. Or everything will click together..... everytime is different.
Listening to whatever may happen is a better starting place that thinking what key, because the key doesnt really matter ultimately.You dont even have to think of a key to make music.
The aim is to play things in a totally fresh way, spontaneously. To find the deeper human things in common, to find a way to express them.
The most common ways:
The music will sound finished, and the audience will clap!
1: Can you play any instrument you want?
Mostly Yes, if you ask the owner nicely and dont endanger the instruments safety! All the instuments that are provided are free for anyone to play at free for all.
2: But I'm not a musician / I don't know how to play an instrument.
Yes you are. yes you can.
I think If you can hum, you are a musician. The Hum is a often forgotten instrument.
Working out how to Play an instrument is what free for is about. I lot of the fun for me is picking up an instrument and trying to work out how to make sound, and then listening to that sound as part of a original piece of music, which is what the audience does at free for all. We turn sound into music, turn people into musicians just by listening and believing.
Music is a state of mind. If you listen to anything and think of it as music, it is music, regardless of what it may be or who may be making it, you or someone else. Its like musical alchemy, turning ordinary things into gold.......
3: I can't improvise.
Yes you can.
If you can speak a language you are already ahead in the game of improvising and interactive art.
4: How do you know what key to play in?
Its a bit like asking how do you know what vocabulary to use. Do you you even think about that?
Knowing what key to play in is not a prerequisite for playing at free for all, in fact its probably true to say that it sounds better when you dont know what key to play in. Its more magical that way. You have to really engage with the music like a conversation. You may not understand everything, but it can be fun trying to. Or everything will click together..... everytime is different.
Listening to whatever may happen is a better starting place that thinking what key, because the key doesnt really matter ultimately.You dont even have to think of a key to make music.
The aim is to play things in a totally fresh way, spontaneously. To find the deeper human things in common, to find a way to express them.
5: How do you know when to stop playing?
The most common ways:
The music will sound finished, and the audience will clap!
Spike says
Well not quite any instrument you want... I mean you cant play an electric banana... or you might want to play a harp, and if there is not one there all the wishing in the world wont make it so. But if its in the room and the owner says its ok... then go for your life.
Most musicians dont even know how to play an instrument - what I mean is - all of us are learning, we're all at different levels, anyone can get a sound out of a piano or drum. Just try, experiement, have fun.
Anyone can improvise. I'll prove it to you... clap yor hands, now clap them again, now clap them whenever you want to, you decide when to clap, how to clap, fast, slow, loud, soft, even with the back of your hands... that's improvisating. The beauty of free improvisation is that every offering is valid.
Free improvisation uses all the keys at once. Every note fits - there are no wrong notes.
Its hard to explain - you get a feeling - you'll just know.
Imagine riding on a bus and seeing some people on the bus that you dont know... they might go. Now imagine looking out the window and seeing people walking down the street, or driving their cars, or buying a piece of cheese in a delicatessen, any of those people might go.
You can play if you want to. You can listen if you want to. You can change your mind if you want to. You can leave if you want to.
Refer to the answer for question 1.
In my opinion the sounds created at FREE FOR ALL are the most beautiful, honest and fragile sounds I have ever heard.
1: Can you play any instrument you want?
Well not quite any instrument you want... I mean you cant play an electric banana... or you might want to play a harp, and if there is not one there all the wishing in the world wont make it so. But if its in the room and the owner says its ok... then go for your life.
2: But I'm not a musician / I don't know how to play an instrument.
Most musicians dont even know how to play an instrument - what I mean is - all of us are learning, we're all at different levels, anyone can get a sound out of a piano or drum. Just try, experiement, have fun.
3: I can't improvise.
Anyone can improvise. I'll prove it to you... clap yor hands, now clap them again, now clap them whenever you want to, you decide when to clap, how to clap, fast, slow, loud, soft, even with the back of your hands... that's improvisating. The beauty of free improvisation is that every offering is valid.
4: How do you know what key to play in?
Free improvisation uses all the keys at once. Every note fits - there are no wrong notes.
5: How do you know when to stop playing?
Its hard to explain - you get a feeling - you'll just know.
6: What sort of people go?
Imagine riding on a bus and seeing some people on the bus that you dont know... they might go. Now imagine looking out the window and seeing people walking down the street, or driving their cars, or buying a piece of cheese in a delicatessen, any of those people might go.
7: Does everyone have to play? What if i change my mind?
You can play if you want to. You can listen if you want to. You can change your mind if you want to. You can leave if you want to.
8: Can you really just play anything you want?
Refer to the answer for question 1.
9: Doesn't it sound terrible?
In my opinion the sounds created at FREE FOR ALL are the most beautiful, honest and fragile sounds I have ever heard.
Andrew says
you sure can. if you've got any instruments, bring them. in the first four years of free for all we have played:
pianos (sometimes three at a time), guitars of every sort (including the electricity guitar, specially invented for ffa), lots of drums (we usually have a kit), hammond organ, theremin, trumpet, shepherd's flute, three types of saxophone, clarinet, double bass, many common and exotic percussion instruments, our bodies, voices, and furniture, ringtones, bazouki, various electronic keyboards, the bass chair, and more i've forgotten
some people who come to free for all have never played an instrument before. some are professional musicians who want to forget their training and remember the joy of just making a noise you like. we need both sorts of people (and some of the ones in between) to keep it interesting.
sometimes i think of freeforall as "musicians anonymous" - a two-step program for people who have found that they are locked into traditional ways of playing music. you've just got to play one note at a time. take each song as it comes.
on a practical level, it's much easier to improvise on an instrument you don't know how to play. as you find yourself getting better at something you might find your playing becomes predictable... time to try a new instrument.
there are no keys. no method. no tempo. don't worry about it. the music will find it's own key.
this is always the most incredible thing to me - somehow, you just do. everyone wonders, the first time they come, how do you know when to stop. and everyone discovers that when you listen to the music and the other musicians, you just know.
all sorts. although i don't think we've ever had anyone under about 15. can someone bring their kids please?
the chalice never lies. if the chalice chooses you, it would be unwise to refuse the invitation.
however, you may wish to sleep in the spirit of performance, or your contribution to the piece may be to remain silent. and if you have gone home, and the chalice calls for you, the others will allow your spirit to influence their performance.
yes, but
you can't play a tune you've played before,
sing a song you've sung before,
beat a rhythm you've beat before.
you can dance if you want to.
it can sound like anything.
but be warned, after immersing yourself in freeforall most other music sounds predictable.
1: Can you play any instrument you want?
you sure can. if you've got any instruments, bring them. in the first four years of free for all we have played:
pianos (sometimes three at a time), guitars of every sort (including the electricity guitar, specially invented for ffa), lots of drums (we usually have a kit), hammond organ, theremin, trumpet, shepherd's flute, three types of saxophone, clarinet, double bass, many common and exotic percussion instruments, our bodies, voices, and furniture, ringtones, bazouki, various electronic keyboards, the bass chair, and more i've forgotten
2: But I'm not a musician / I don't know how to play an instrument.
some people who come to free for all have never played an instrument before. some are professional musicians who want to forget their training and remember the joy of just making a noise you like. we need both sorts of people (and some of the ones in between) to keep it interesting.
3: I can't improvise.
sometimes i think of freeforall as "musicians anonymous" - a two-step program for people who have found that they are locked into traditional ways of playing music. you've just got to play one note at a time. take each song as it comes.
on a practical level, it's much easier to improvise on an instrument you don't know how to play. as you find yourself getting better at something you might find your playing becomes predictable... time to try a new instrument.
4: How do you know what key to play in?
there are no keys. no method. no tempo. don't worry about it. the music will find it's own key.
5: How do you know when to stop playing?
this is always the most incredible thing to me - somehow, you just do. everyone wonders, the first time they come, how do you know when to stop. and everyone discovers that when you listen to the music and the other musicians, you just know.
6: What sort of people go?
all sorts. although i don't think we've ever had anyone under about 15. can someone bring their kids please?
7: Does everyone have to play? What if i change my mind?
the chalice never lies. if the chalice chooses you, it would be unwise to refuse the invitation.
however, you may wish to sleep in the spirit of performance, or your contribution to the piece may be to remain silent. and if you have gone home, and the chalice calls for you, the others will allow your spirit to influence their performance.
8: Can you really just play anything you want?
yes, but
you can't play a tune you've played before,
sing a song you've sung before,
beat a rhythm you've beat before.
you can dance if you want to.
9: Doesn't it sound terrible?
it can sound like anything.
but be warned, after immersing yourself in freeforall most other music sounds predictable.
Josh says
YES !!!!!
9: Doesn't it sound terrible?
YES !!!!!
Dave says
Yes... and then some. You can invent instruments!
Play the window panes; Play the fridge shelf! You might have trouble playing the trumpet if Andrew already is, but you can always figure something out...
You're the perfect candidate! As is the muso next to you. At FFA, all are equal.
Don't try to "play music". Instead, recognise the FFA reality: there is no "play"; all is music.
Of course you can. Maybe you can't perform in a live jam on stage with a jazz band, but improvising is playing whatever you feel like. It's a 4-year-old at grandma's piano, playing for pure enjoyment...
What is this "key" you speak of?
You can stop whenever you like... and start again... and listen to your fellow participants and stop whenever the music wants to...
I go. Andrew goes. Spike & Barney go. Emily goes. So do Peter, Steve, Liz, Sam, Allison, Beth, Dwayne, Daniel, Paul, Huw... Why don't you come along too?
FFA is about the experience. And listening is a part of that experience (probably the most important part).
Come listen... and then play if you want, or listen some more.
Sometimes all I want to do is lie down on the floor and listen...
Sort-of. FFA is about collaborating as well as improvising. There's nothing worse than one person in a trio forcibly drowning out the other two; or always making sure they have the last word in a piece.
FFA is about listening -- especially when you are playing.
It certainly doesn't sound normal
... or predictable
... or boring
Its beautiful, striking, juxtaposed & dischordant melodies will change the way you think about music...
1: Can you play any instrument you want?
Yes... and then some. You can invent instruments!
Play the window panes; Play the fridge shelf! You might have trouble playing the trumpet if Andrew already is, but you can always figure something out...
2: But I'm not a musician / I don't know how to play an instrument.
You're the perfect candidate! As is the muso next to you. At FFA, all are equal.
Don't try to "play music". Instead, recognise the FFA reality: there is no "play"; all is music.
3: I can't improvise.
Of course you can. Maybe you can't perform in a live jam on stage with a jazz band, but improvising is playing whatever you feel like. It's a 4-year-old at grandma's piano, playing for pure enjoyment...
4: How do you know what key to play in?
What is this "key" you speak of?
5: How do you know when to stop playing?
You can stop whenever you like... and start again... and listen to your fellow participants and stop whenever the music wants to...
6: What sort of people go?
I go. Andrew goes. Spike & Barney go. Emily goes. So do Peter, Steve, Liz, Sam, Allison, Beth, Dwayne, Daniel, Paul, Huw... Why don't you come along too?
7: Does everyone have to play? What if i change my mind?
FFA is about the experience. And listening is a part of that experience (probably the most important part).
Come listen... and then play if you want, or listen some more.
Sometimes all I want to do is lie down on the floor and listen...
8: Can you really just play anything you want?
Sort-of. FFA is about collaborating as well as improvising. There's nothing worse than one person in a trio forcibly drowning out the other two; or always making sure they have the last word in a piece.
FFA is about listening -- especially when you are playing.
9: Doesn't it sound terrible?
It certainly doesn't sound normal
... or predictable
... or boring
Its beautiful, striking, juxtaposed & dischordant melodies will change the way you think about music...
BRING THE LOVE!
Please feel free to come along,
on any thursday night from 8pm,
bring an instrument, or your dancing shoes,
join in, or just to watch,
there's no pressure
FREE ENTRY
BYO food and drink
the CafeChurch space
37-47 St Johns Rd Glebe Sydney Australia