A collaborative project of lockdown and distance, these compositions were created in isolation with delayed dialogue and an intermediary.
Each performer was given directions specific to their instrument but based on the directions below. The resulting audio was then deconstructed, processed, and returned to the performers for stage 2.
Then the process occurs again, followed by a final mix and master.
An album release is expected in 2022.
Process.
The basic process is of two stages.
The first stage is to follow the directions below. The second stage will be after I have compiled, edited, altered and processed the recordings from the first stage.
Play repeated crotchets. Pick an inflection pattern and stick to it. It could be 4/4, it could be 5/4, it could be 9/4 or 2/4 or a combination, but be consistent with dynamics and articulation. Start in the middle of the register, change pitch every now and then with no great interval leaps. Try and maintain the pulse through out and try to correct drift each time the click returns but the gentle drift is the key.
I have included a 62bpm click track, it's pattern is: 4 bars of 2/4 click then silent for 4 then 2 bars of click and silent for 6. 2 bars of click and silent for 6. 2 bars of click and silent for 6. 2 bars of click and silent for 6. Then silent for 3 mins. 2 bars of click and silent for 6. 2 bars of click and silent for 6. 2 bars of click and silent for 6. Then Silent for 3 mins. 2 bars of click and silent for 6. 2 bars of click and silent for 6. 2 bars of click and silent for 6. Continue as long as you like after the final click.
Long notes. As long as you can play (without circular breathing or as long as the sustain of the instrument. 2 sequences, chromatic and whole tone from lowest to highest note. Vary the articulation and dynamic.
Chromatic scales for sampling. From lowest to highest note, any version of the note, 2 dynamics per note, any timbre, any length, can be unusual technique.
1 long note. 2 note phrase. 1 long note. 3 note phrase. 1 long note. 4 note phrase. Continue for as long as you can count the multinote phrase.
Pause of any length between each block, phrase notes can be any length, long notes can be repeated pitch or variation. Vary dynamics and articulation, include crescendos and diminuendos.
I have created 4 tracks based on the material generated from Stage 1.
Directions
Pick 2 tracks and record yourself doing whatever feels fun over the top. If you feel like getting into some processing go ahead, if you feel like processing the stereo track do that too. Basically knock yourself out and do it on camera.
Outcome
These compositions reflect a unique period of life; covid lockdowns, openings, pauses, actions, testing, waiting, and stasis. A persistent malaise of pandemic fatigue backdropping changing emotions of hope and despair, disbelief and realism. Locked in our places of abode but still looking outward, spending so much time isolated and forgetting how to interact.