Circle Of Live - In Bloom

Improvisation as the core of Sebastian's approach to music, a philosophical introduction to the concept and its importance to tapping into your creativity.

We look at improvisation & creativity as something innate within human nature:

• Improvisation is to listen; what is listening?
• Sebastian's approach to improvisation
• Similarities between improvisation and meditation.
• Improvisation; the creative expression
• Improvisation; openness and awareness
• The importance of improvisation - healing and acceptance
• Different improvisation exercises
• Improvisation with Circle of Live
• Let improvisation flow into your general life; Is improvisation our natural expression?

The topic of improvisation naturally leads to the idea of collaborations, their role in the creative process (and of improvisation), listening and paying attention to other artists.

• Improvising alone vs with others 
• Openness / inspire & get inspired 
• Different collaborations / unlocking different things. 
• Invite / sharing your ideas
• Temporary roles 
• Listen 
• Non violent communication 

Discover how reconnecting with nature and meditation can be used as tools to unlock your own creativity.

Meditation:

• Different meditation techniques and exercises. 
• Daily practice / retreat 
• Meditation -  non state 
• Reminding, not teaching. presence is not something you learn, it's you! 

Nature: 

• The natural expression of the wild 
• Just be in nature, no activity. 
• Different exercises in nature. 

Sebastian will talk through his studio set up, what decisions lead him to his current set up and his advice. Specific talk about several topics such as Software, Hardware, Soundcards etc. 

• Software set up and configuration
• Hardware configuration
• Soundcards
• Tape Machine (and why would you consider using it?)
• Midi controllers / control surface 
• Loopers
• Issues of noise and hum, how to avoid and how to live with it
• Stomp boxes and pedal trains
• Cables 
• Sequencers 

With improvisation as a technical aspect, Sebastian will discuss the different mechanisms (pre-sets, tools, tricks) that he uses to help him maintain a clear mind and therefore more open to the flow of creativity.

• Express and write without a specific purpose
• What is your intention with making music? Allow that intension, don’t work against it
• Meditation as a tool, why does it help your studio work? 
• Spend time with an instrument without recording, just for the pleasure of playing/feeling music. 
• Different angles to approach the expression. Layering / free improvisation / arranging / looping / 
• Use your feelings as a starting point
• Define your temporary frame and express from that
• Accept yourself, honour yourself, allow all feelings also the ones that are harder to accept

Sebastian will talk you through the various software programmes he uses, plugins and software synths (and why).

• Computer 
• Ableton
• What software synths and plug ins
• Soundcard
• Midi controllers & control surfaces 
• My template 
• Mapping 
• Push & Midi looping 

In this second module focusing on playing live, Sebastian will follow up on the topic by discussing the hardware aspect of his live set up and help you with any doubts or questions you may have to build your own.

• Mixer
• Synths
• Drummachines 
• Midi interface 
• Midi keyboard 
• Outboard effects 
• Signal mergers 
• Bags and travel recommendations (to protect your gear on the road)

Sebastian will share his tricks about finding peace and presence on stage. These include pragmatic solutions to finding your creative flow, and a more holistic approach to touring (for e.g. monitoring and sleep).

• Your live set up is your trampoline and your parachute
• Your presence is your inner trampoline and parachute
• What are your intentions for playing live? Recognise them and honour them. 
• Do it! Learn by doing and accepting ”failure”  

Practical things to think about: 

• Technical rider and advancing
• Monitoring 
• Renting equipment VS bring everything yourself
• Pre-connected vs connect on sound check 
• Having a tour manager (or do I need one?)
• Cases, bags etc. 
• Rest & meditation 

Sebastian uses freestyle live looping as well as prepared sketches, both when he plays live and when he improvises in the studio. This episode gives a deeper insight into these two approaches and in what way you can combine them for better creative flow.

Looping

• Looping / improvisation / meditation 
• Looping in the studio 
• Boss RC-505 
• Midi looping with Push 
• Duo Looping 

Sketches 

• Sketches built on 12 sounds
• How to record sketches from scratch 
• How to make a sketch from an existing song/track of your own 

As a final chapter, we will look at the misconception there is around having a team for underground electronic music artists. The importance of finding the right people to work with, who share your values and can cultivate their knowledge to bring your creative ideas to fruition.

• Working with a team VS doing everything yourself 
• Your voice and intentions 
• Allowing a creative flow within the team 
• Establish ways of communication / Non Violent communication 
• Manager 
• Booking Agent / Subagent 
• Record Label 
• Publicist / Press agent 
• Social media manager 
• Tour manager