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[microsound] Re: on working methods for live performance



On May 9, 2004, at 5:15 PM, graham miller wrote:

how can you differentiate between music and performance? it's the same thing. performance is not merely restricted to visual input, to the
so-called gestural theatre (god i fucking hate that term). one can certainly listen to a performance with one's eye closed, right?

We're getting into semantics here (though surely some linguist will jump on my case about using the word wrong) and off the point a bit. The most common complaint I hear about modern music live performance (and especially people using computers) is "they're not doing anything" ("they could just be reading their e-mail"). Now of course "they're not doing anything" is completely untrue. They're making music is what they're doing. But there's no visual analog. When we see a person playing a guitar or sax or drums we get visual cues to the sound we hear; basically cause and effect. But, and I see this a lot, when a guy is sitting there with his chin resting on one hand while the other casually strokes the trackpad there's no perceptible cause/effect relationship. It doesn't bother me, but I can understand when people complain. Most people going out to a concert expect to "see" the music being played. Many people feel that without that aspect they might as well stay at home and listen to a CD. I'm excited by the growing involvement of video artists and electronic musicians in live performance. I think the complaints are a significant concern for those of us making music that requires computers to get at what we hear in our heads. And it extends beyond this group. It's more a question of how do you get the non-specialist to approach the music. I have no interest in playing only to other computer musicians. I think some in this group do not share that goal. Fine for them, but understand where I'm coming from in my comments. (so if there are any video artists in the LA area looking for a music collaborator...)



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