Looking at the 'big composition' for 2023

[Ben Asaro]

With Jamuary in the rear-view mirror and a scheduled week off to ruminate on all of the sounds and such from the month, I've been trying to come up with a single 'mission statement' for this composition, similar to my other big pieces. I've done a piece based on bell changes, with subtle changes and ever-shifting relationships between the notes ... I've done one with a chord progression that takes a full hour to resolve ... and I've challenged myself by recording a live performance using two of the most notoriously unwieldy synths (the Subharmonicon and Lyra-8) at the same time. I enjoy the fact that my big compositions tend to merge technological, philosophical, and music-theoretical related areas into a single piece.

Jamuary really got me interested in looping phrases ... and loops within loops. And combined with my late-2022 experiments with the 'timbral garden' and modulating modulators, and granular synthesis, and really looking at ways to sequence sound so that it's NOT just imitating a band from the '70s; particularly viewed through the lens of Minimalism.

So the mission statement I came up with is:
Microcompositions using waveforms that can be pushed into shapes and materials and then sequenced.

As for how it would look, I imagine it like being interconnected gears. In the center is the largest gear, representing my key center; this also serves as the function generator for the entire piece. This is made up of microcompositions composed of individual loops. Each loop can be an exploration of a motive, timbre, or rhythm/meter.



My plan is to start SMALL and get a proof of concept going first.

[Folderol]

Where do we send the food parcels?

[OneWorld]

With Jamuary in the rear-view mirror and a scheduled week off to ruminate on all of the sounds and such from the month, I've been trying to come up with a single 'mission statement' for this composition, similar to my other big pieces. I've done a piece based on bell changes, with subtle changes and ever-shifting relationships between the notes ... I've done one with a chord progression that takes a full hour to resolve ... and I've challenged myself by recording a live performance using two of the most notoriously unwieldy synths (the Subharmonicon and Lyra-8) at the same time. I enjoy the fact that my big compositions tend to merge technological, philosophical, and music-theoretical related areas into a single piece.

Jamuary really got me interested in looping phrases ... and loops within loops. And combined with my late-2022 experiments with the 'timbral garden' and modulating modulators, and granular synthesis, and really looking at ways to sequence sound so that it's NOT just imitating a band from the '70s; particularly viewed through the lens of Minimalism.

So the mission statement I came up with is:
Microcompositions using waveforms that can be pushed into shapes and materials and then sequenced.

As for how it would look, I imagine it like being interconnected gears. In the center is the largest gear, representing my key center; this also serves as the function generator for the entire piece. This is made up of microcompositions composed of individual loops. Each loop can be an exploration of a motive, timbre, or rhythm/meter.



My plan is to start SMALL and get a proof of concept going first.

Give Steve Reich a call, he’s been down this road

[Martin Walker]

You're a brave and inspiring man Ben!

[resistorman]

You're a brave and inspiring man Ben!

Amen!

[BJG145]

Sounds intriguing - look forward to seeing how this develops.

[Arpangel]

Ben, are the individual loops, elements synchronised, or free running, or do you have the option to do both?

[Ben Asaro]

Ben, are the individual loops, elements synchronised, or free running, or do you have the option to do both?

If by syncronised you mean fed from a single clock source, then the answer is probably not.
If by syncronised you mean played in time, I am sure there will be elements that will be played that way because syncopation is fun.

[Arpangel]

Ben, are the individual loops, elements synchronised, or free running, or do you have the option to do both?

If by syncronised you mean fed from a single clock source, then the answer is probably not.
If by syncronised you mean played in time, I am sure there will be elements that will be played that way because syncopation is fun.

Sounds interesting, look forward to hearing it.

[Ben Asaro]

Thanks! I just hope it doesn't end in a train wreck!

[Martin Walker]

Thanks! I just hope it doesn't end in a train wreck!

Even if it does, I suspect it will still be an enjoyable listen

[adamburgess]

What a great way to start a piece. Really interesting mindset!

Looking forward to see what transpires