Tracking My Tracks @creativeprocessprogress - Tumblr Blog

Need this for future compositions

#colors #psychology #composing #the psychology of color

Visit Original Link

I’ve done some simple mashing of all of the works currently in this project. I don’t really mean for this to be a piece on it’s own-it was just a cool way to quickly recap some of the highlights of each piece without listening through every piece.

#creative process collaboration #mash up

Another Epileptische Update

SO, to avoid the P5 occurring between the sets beginning with 5 and 0 (very important to the symbolic 500mg) I’ve used a tone set that ends with 0, but still has 0 in it’s title because it is a retrograde.

#epileptische #update #again

Epileptische Update

I’ve decided to use a violin, violoncello, and contrabass as my three instruments. The composing has already begun. I’m using a new software because, unlike with previous pieces, I will need the sheet music to this for the assignment.

I think it’s going well. Right now rhythm is a focus as well as which tone rows to use, when, and how.

I need to be keeping track of the tone rows in use. My symbolic goal with tone row use is to use “500 mg” as my inspiration for choosing. I need 6 different tone rows. 5 begins with 5 (F), and is the first tone row heard and played out by the violin. 0 begins with 0 (c), and occurs in the contrabass. I will probably use two different tone rows beginning with c to account for both 0′s in 500. M is the first letter of my name and will thus be represented by 1 (c#). This appears as the first tone row of the violoncello. The g of mg will simply be 7 (g). That takes care of 5/6 tone rows necessary. I’m not sure how the sixth with symbolically fit yet.

#epileptische #update

Progress update

I was recently assigned to compose a 12-tone (atonal) piece for Music Theory, so I’ve decided to incorporate it into the purposes of this project as well as my epilepsy has served as an inspiration for most of my compositions in my lifetime.

It took a bit of time, but I finally have a matrix of tone rows.

My main tone row (52064A871B93) was inspired and built from the German word “Epileptische” which is also the title of this piece. I had to assign each letter in the word to many numbers (or notes) in order to do this. I made assignments based on where the letters appear in the english alphabet, where they appear in my name, what number they look like themselves, where they appear in the musical alphabet (when accidentals are set aside)...etc. I also assigned the inversion of whichever numbers were a result of the above.

THEN I had to play around with all the possibilities until I found a tone row that avoided the use of M3, m3, P4, and P5 to avoid tonality.

My biggest struggle right now is finding the right timbre. I need to use three instruments for the assignment, but I’m not sure what direction I want...

At first, I tried a trumpet to proclaim my first tone row (essentially musically saying epileptische), but I didn’t like and don’t want to use a brass ensemble. I don’t think I want to proclaim this with such a boisterous sound for lack of another term. I’m currently working with “old” instruments like the lute and the harpsichord to take a somewhat ironic approach to my atonal piece, but I’m not a big fan of this either. The reasoning behind that choice strays from my focus on epilepsy, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.

#update #atonal #12 tone #new piece #timbre

Visit Original Link

This very well may be a finished work!

It’s scary to say that, but it seems to come to an end. I received positive feedback as well as a mutual feeling that an end had come.

#first aid #take 9 #end?#end #yeah probs #whoa

Reflection

Each time I add a new take of First Aid, the end sounds like an end. It’s almost as if I have a progressive series.

I think this also means that the ultimate ending will be abrupt.

#reflection #first aid

Visit Original Link

Here’s the latest updated version of First Aid.

I’m not sure how it’s going to end right now, but I think that might be a good thing.

#first aid #take 8

Reflections and Discoveries

So I discovered something interesting. I decided to mute the “hip hop kit” track, so that I could only hear the music of the voices alone.

and I like it! It’s quite interesting. I don’t think I like it any better or worse than when the back beats are included. There is one moment that loses some intensity in my opinion (when all else drops and we only hear “help”). I also have that quote from my previous “exploring” post. The word “groove” was used and I believe the “hip hop kit” track adds a real groove feel.

The words alone are raw and interesting. It’s enjoyable.

#reflections #first aid #discoveries

Visit Original Link

WHOA.

I decided to add the second recordings (the ones made of each word AFTER telling each person what the project was about).

I continued an already set up “rhythmic cluster” and simply switched each word to the second recording while maintaing the same rhythms.

I am quite surprised-and almost scared-of these results! It’s the same rhythms and words, but it sounds very different.

There is a symbol crash in the “hip hop kit” track that occurs at the beginning of the switch-over measure. I think it takes a few measures to notice the switch.

#first aid #take 7 #whoa #second recordings

Exploring

I decided to look up experiences people have had when witnessing seizures, and I found some really great feedback that makes me think of “First Aid” and also encourages me that it’s going in a good direction.

I’d like to point out these statements by peacy on http://ask.metafilter.com/19224/witnessing-epilepsy

“They are medical emergencies and you just chug into the groove of protecting them from hurting themselves..”

“They are some of the most intense experiences of my life..”

“...a feeling of helplessness is always there...”

#quotes #first aid #witnessing epilepsy #exploring the internet

Visit Original Link

I’ve simply added “clothing” and “glasses” to the second build-up of words.

#first aid #take 6

Visit Original Link

We’ve reached and passed a minute in length! Yay!

More importantly, I’ve added an important section that deals with a few months of my life during which I stopped taking my meds. I thought, “I’m not having any seizures and these things hold me down!” Well, my partial seizures grew in strength and frequency, so my neurologist definitely recommended taking them again, and I had to readapt to them. We are about to embark on that part of the journey, but I shall leave it hanging here!

Also, I recently doodled and reflected on what my pills mean to me, and it seems to still be mostly pessimistic. I do believe I hold a bit a grudge with them, so this piece may not reach a happy ending.

#creative process #pills #updated

Reflections

I did not do any composing over spring break.

I’ve been trying to be outside of the projects, however. I really want to share my pieces with people in the music department because I’d like their opinions/insight.

I’m pleased and proud of myself thus far in the class, but there is plenty more to do!

#reflections #spring break

Visit Original Link

This piece has been added to! It is not complete, but growing nonetheless.

#creative process #pills

Visit Original Link

This piece has been slightly more than doubled compared to take 4!

My goal right now is 80 measures (about 2 1/2 minutes). There's no particular reason behind the number 80 specifically, but I wanted to have something to reach towards.

Also, I have added "album art." It is a voice recording of my voice saying "epilepsy." I rotated the image of the recording because I like how it looks. The recording is already purple on my software, but it works out since purple is the color of epilepsy awareness. I'm pleased with this, but will probably play around with it.

#first aid #take 5

New idea, but...

I'm trying to resist starting new pieces when I have unfinished ones! I think I'm getting in my own way.

However, in the future, I would like to do a performance piece or video (or it may need to be a combo) that includes my singing as my "epileptic self" and "non-epileptic self." I really like this idea, but it will require me to really dig deep and even separate myself. There are times when epilepsy feels like a separate part of me, but I've never thought to the extent that I think this will require.

I'll keep these plans in the back of my mind.

#new idea #future plans

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Tracking My Tracks