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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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