Musical Alchemy

The Jam Lab is a free monthly musical improvisation workshop for all ages and skill levels. Each session will feature diverse practices aimed at inviting collaborative musical creativity. We’ll play improv games to explore the varied forms music takes, sit in deep listening to sound and silence, talk about our personal experiences with music, improvise freely, and compose musical pieces based on shared psychology as well as chance.

The musical improv “games” are participatory exercises with minimal prompts that serve as catalysts for collaborative improvisation. In a freeform manner, we’ll decide on musical rules for each exercise, then attempt to perform them in sound. These are experiments with no set outcome; the rules will chart a direction to move toward, then we’ll see where the improv takes us. A wealth of possibilities for inspiration will be provided: cards containing different forms and techniques, dice and timers to select parameters, loop pedals and drum machines to cast sonic palettes, and others.

Drawing on free improv music traditions, these sessions will focus on personal expression and experimentation, as opposed to technical skill and cultural knowledge. Inclusive free play attitudes of “yes and” and “any sound could be music” will be the guiding principles. People of all musical backgrounds are encouraged to participate. Join us in investigating the dynamics between music, creativity, and life through improvisation.

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Free, open to all ages and musical skill levels
Instruments will be provided- feel free to bring your own!
Suggested donation $10

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These sessions are for:
-People of all ages and backgrounds seeking a fun activity centered on play
-Musicians new to improvisation who do not know where or how to start
-Experienced improvisers looking for new directions, approaches, or inspiration
-Individuals craving an outlet to connect with others through creative expression

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Standard session flow:
-Discussion about music and improv
-Deep listening in silence
-Warm-up exercises
-Music games
-Free improvisation
-Deep listening in silence
-Reflections

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Sample activities:
-Rhythmic grooves
-Collaborative soundscape creation
-Call and response duets
-Drone jams
-Composition of complex pieces out of simple elements
-Lyrical mad libs
-Much more!

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Ideas we’ll explore:
-Low-pressure, easy ways to connect with others through sound and music, regardless of background and skill level
-The values of musical expression and experimentation, as opposed to technical mastery
-Exploring the permeable boundaries between music, sound, noise, and silence
-Listening deeply to the present moment, both externally and internally
-Connecting with our bodies, emotions, and intuition through music
-Trust, acceptance, and encouragement of other people’s creative ideas

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Meet the Facilitator
Ross Hackenmiller – Ross Hackenmiller is a musician and music facilitator from St. Paul, MN. He studied music and religion at Hamline University, where he conducted an honors project studying human interaction and psychology through improvisational musical experiences. Since graduating in 2011, he has organized participatory music-making events in public places, performed in indie rock bands, worked as a church musician, taught guitar lessons, and continued studying musical improvisation techniques. Ross has facilitated public music making at multiple events and locations, including St. Paul Saints baseball games, the Minnesota State Fair, Northern Spark Art Festival, Northern Lights Play Day, Grand Old Day, Minneapolis Open Streets, Piazza on the Mall on Nicollet Ave, and the Luminary Loppet winter festival. His passion is exploring the intersections between music, creativity, neurology, and spirituality and finding ways to inspire creativity in others through interactive art and music events.