Tag Archives: electronic ensemble

Dubious Toppings – for piano and electronic ensemble

Compositions, Performances, Research, ,

A pizza-themed piece for piano and large electronic ensemble.
Performance by EMEWS (April 2019)
Joo Won Park – piano, composer
Gavin Langley – audio engineer
Sean MacKillop – video
Andy Garcia, Ebony Swain, Jacob Joslin, James Stanulet, Jessica Cory, Martin Davis, Samuel Sprague, Thane Hall, Tyler Smith, Alex MacColl-Artrip, Benjamin Schornack, Hunter Desjarlais, Gavin Langley, Josh West, Justin Carrier, Nicholas Schnorberger, Trent Nedbal, Patrick Norton, and Taylor Vaughan – laptops

Click the link below for Dubious Toppings Score and SuperCollider File

https://app.box.com/s/y9okvvzzklvg31xa676hestvjjqw9mfm

On Off Fade – Etudes for Electronic Music Ensemble No. 2

Compositions, Research, , ,

Link to Score

An electronic instrument can express a gradual or sudden change of timbre by twisting a knob or a slider. On Off Fade for an electronic ensemble is written to practice deliberately timed change in dynamics, density, and spectrum. The ensemble may consist of a percussion and three or more electronic devices. Specific models of electronic devices or previous experiences in an electronic ensemble are not required to perform this piece.


Instrumentation

Three or more electronic Instruments:

  • A machine that produces noise-like sound is preferred.
  • The performer should be able to control at least the volume and another parameter of the sound continuously. More the controllable parameters, better the instrument.
  • Examples of such devices include a radio, drum machine, no-input mixer, turntable, modular synthesizer, electronic metronome, circuit-bent toys,  and analog television.

One drumset OR drum machine:

  • A drumset consisting of a bass drum and a snare is ideal. Alternatively, one may use a drum machine that can trigger bass drum, snare, and rimshot sounds.
  • A drum machine should also be able to start and stop a preset rhythm.

Performance and Score Instruction
For an ideal balance of sound, adjust the volume of the instruments so that they do not overpower the drumset or the drum machine.
Notation for Electronics:

  • Regular notes and rests: start and stop the sound by increasing and decreasing the volume control. All notes should have a short attack and release time unless notated with crescendo or decrescendo. Respect the duration of the rests.
  • Notes with the + sign: change a parameter. For example, a synthesizer player can turn a filter knob. If there is more than one parameter control, feel free to change multiple parameters.
  • Crescendo and decrescendo: For regular notes, gradually change the volume control (a dynamic marking of n being no sound to ff being the loudest sound possible). For the + notes,  change a parameter.

Notation for Drumset or Drum machine:

  • At the absence of a conductor, the drummer cues the next section.
  • If a snare roll is not possible, trigger a preset rhythm in place of a snare roll.

Beat Matching – Etudes for Electronic Ensemble No. 1

Collaborators, Compositions, Research, ,

Performed by EMEWS (Electronic Music Ensemble of Wayne State) on 10/11/2018

The purpose of this piece is to exercise with flexible control of the tempo and note duration in electronic instruments. By subtly changing the rate of repetition (i.e., frequency) the ensemble can phase in and out of a perceivable rhythmic pattern. This piece is also an opportunity for the students to read and interpret a graphical score as well as thinking musical ideas in numbers.

App created with Faust (http://faust.grame.fr)

Score and app available at:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rlozrjsukhlr9bp/AAAmWb_CZZdskkUh7qUaWSi-a?dl=0

* Beat Matching is the first piece of Etudes for Electronic Ensemble. The etudes consist of easy-to-rehearse electronic ensemble pieces for beginner electronic musicians or ensembles. Each work of the etudes focuses on musical ideas that expressed most efficiently with electronic instruments.