I got obsessed with Mark Applebaum’s Aphasia (2009) in the past two months. I perform my own music and often improvise, so studying and learning another composer’s piece with a score was challenging. But Applebaum is one of my electroacoustic heroes, and I have wanted to try Aphasia for a decade. After about two months of practice, I think I learned enough to enjoy performing it. Thank you for watching!
Category Archives: Performances
Social Distance Concert (3/31/2020)
Let’s stay home and save lives in this challenging time. Last Tuesday, I did a streaming concert as a part of Wayne State University’s Music Studio series.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2262455907396881
Here are three pieces I presented:
Elegy II (2:25) – melodica arrangement (original ver. for violin and computer in here)
Elegy I (13:40) – with a nicer video
Cobalt Vase (22:25) – another version
Seven Bird Watchers (2019) – Performance by EMEWS
Composer: Joo Won Park
Performers: Jacob Joslin, Gavin Langley, Alex MacColl-Artrip, Sean Monaghan
Scores and info: https://joowonpark.net/sevenbirdwatchers/
Tutorial: https://youtu.be/FK58MvomSlI
Seven Bird Watchers is an electronic ensemble piece featuring synchronized tempo change and graphical notation. The pre-recorded audio file syncs all drum machines to seven sections of accelerando and ritardando. The performers’ task is to change the parameters of the drum machine according to the notation.
Compare EMEWS’ performance with my multitrack version. I like EMEWS one more!
Func Step Mode – for drum machine and mixer feedback
Func Step Mode is a solo piece featuring two instruments I love: a no-input mixer and a drum machine. The output of the drum machine feeds into the no-input mixer affecting the rhythm and timbre of already-rich sound palette. The no-input (or rather, one-input) mixer thus becomes an analog audio processor with too many knobs to control, which makes every improvisation thrilling and daunting for me. The hardware and their setup for Func Step Mode are attenable and replicable, but I think I play these instruments with a distinct voice.
Cobalt Vase – solo for drum machine
Cobalt Vase is a solo piece for a drum machine. The drum machine (and other electronic instruments) is a musical instrument, and therefore one gets better at playing it with more practice. I did not want to operate Korg Volca Beats to record a drum track in a DAW. Instead, I wanted to become good enough to improvise, adapt, and perform with features unique to the instrument. I think I can “play the scales without looking at my fingers” on Volca Beat at this point. Jeff Mills’ TR-909 Workout, which demonstrated that how to use counts more than what you use, is a direct inspiration for Cobalt Vase.