Re: [microsound] arranging & the like

[Michal Seta <mis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 9 May 2003 12:38:15 +0930
Tim wrote:

> do you randomally process & manipulate audio indiscriminately, get a
> whole pool of audio fragments, & then arbitralily start stringing/
> knitting them together? or do you have more of a feel for the whole
> first & start colouring in between the lines as it were?

certainly, a lot of music, in what is being referred to as microsound,
follows either former model presented above or simply the basic 'song'
structure which, of course, found its way into techno and then into
the 'intelligent' techno etc.  Formal design is probably the most
difficult aspect of music making and requires the most study,
listening and experience, providing you want to avoid following the
usual forms:  AB, ABA, ABA'A, sonta form, rondo and the various
incarnations of song forms.

While 'microsound' music, in general, is often appealing to me
personally on the micro level I often feel unsatisfied on the macro
level.  I don't think that microsound means: 'let's concentrate on the
microscopic details and screw the macro level" but, unfortunately,
this seems to be happening a lot in works that try to stray from the
traditional songform.  Or, perhaps, they're too complex for me and I
don't get it.

I would suggest figuring out what contemporary 'academic' composers you
are
attracted to and trying to get some of their scores, analytical papers
(hopefully based on the same scores) and recordings.  The reason I
suggest 'academic' is because those guys are usually obsessed with
formal design.  This way you will understand how, in larger works,
like symphonies, operas etc, your fav composers are dealing with
things like tension/release, keeping your attention, developing ideas
(melodic, rhythmic, sonic, whathaveyou) etc.  Getting to know well the
more traditional forms would help, too.  Also, getting a taste of
counterpoint might be nice, too (both, species and tonal).  After that,
you just try to forget what you've learned and try to come up with your own ways of
dealing with this issue.

Formal design is a fascinating territory.
I'm quite sure your post will generate an interesting debate.

cheers and keep up the good work

--./MiS 
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