It all adds up

VicDiesel

Get Flash to see this player.

Description

Whole bunch of recorders playing whole bunch of notes.

Ok. This is how it works. This composition is exactly 60 seconds and 60 beats long. One player has a 2 beat theme that he repeats 30 times. One has a 3 beat theme, 20 times. Four beats 15 times, 5 and 12, 6 and 10, 12 and 5, 15 and 4, 20 times 3, and finally one bass recorder plays a 30 beat theme twice.

Also, every theme ends with one beat breath, so on beat 60 everyone for the first time breaths together.

That's it.

Leave a Comment

You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Song Stats

Hits: 2198
Comments: 37
Fans: 14
Plays: 189
Downloads: 124

Uploaded: Feb 16, 2008 - 06:13:46 PM
Last Updated: Feb 17, 2008 - 02:27:07 PM Last Played: May 18, 2013 - 12:59:51 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Keywords:

recorder (46), aleatoric (1)

Hardware:

Kueng tulipwood sopranino, soprano, alto; olivewood tenor; Yamaha plastic bass.

Software:

Comments

	said 1921 days ago (February 16th, 2008)
	Thats was fast very interesting composition...much enjoyed...

aclarke	aclarke said 1920 days ago (February 16th, 2008)
	Holy timing, Batman! Glad you got a some well deserved breaths in there, Vic. Seemed like a pretty complex undertaking- I have to say you pulled it off well. Very interesting to hear so many different things happening at the same time- yet it was very cohesive. Check out my latest song called By Your Window

lengold	lengold said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	Strange but good. Cheers Len Check out my latest song called B E A U T I F U L

	said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	very busy It's hard to follow at first listen - but grows on you on the second and third pass. This quite reminds me of a tree full of birds. The burst of sound into the song was quite hard on my ears because I keep my volume cranked up, a little fade in would have saved me jumping out of my skin the first time, LOL You certainly don't lack in creativity. . - Harold

dirigent	dirigent said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	unique cool: all time recorder record ;-) i dig it :-) Check out my latest song called Piglets in Wonderland

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	Actually.... My composition <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/28363">Back Pedal<a/> has 20 identical (tenor) recorders. Like this one, it's kind of an aleatoric piece. Thanks for the dig. Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

guitapick	guitapick said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	Cool theme... ...and I like the mathematical concept behind it, a lot... ...but I want MORE!!!! ;) Seriously, though: I do. This is really, really good.. What about altering the mathematical progression for a B section, etc? Please excuse me for asking...I've got huge respect for you as a player and composer...just a thought from a colleague... Check out my latest song called 'Cuz I Can

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)

More, more, more....
(That's an old disco song, btw.)

Well, you could do this with a larger number with more divisors. I toyed with the idea of using perfect numbers (numbers that are the sum of their divisors) but that didn't make the piece intrinsically more interesting. Using a large power of 2 (say 128) would give a cool effect of increasingly big breaths being taken.

B section? Well, this is the second aleatoric piece I've done like this, where the players (eh, that's me, me, me, .....) get some simple instruction and then stick to it. I think the fun of this sort of composition is that it's one idea, followed through to its ultimate conclusion. You could play this with a bunch of people who've never played together, with only minimal coordination. So a B section with different instructions would kind of go against that notion. But if you're saying between the lines that a minute is about all the audience can bear of this sort of music, then I agree. A much longer piece would quickly outstay its welcome.

Thanks for your comments. Your kind words always appreciated.

Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

guitapick

guitapick said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)

Actually...
...I'm saying that I think the piece could go longer...if you changed the mathematical sequence or if you started adding layers over the existing structure in different time signatures...well...I'm sure I don't need to tell you what could be done...

In essense: I'm saying that I like this piece a lot. And I want MORE MORE MORE!!! I'm a spoiled brat!

;)

Check out my latest song called 'Cuz I Can

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)

It's a dilemma
This piece is by definition repetitive, so if you want to stretch it you have to find a way to ameliorate that. Right now, for instance, you can clearly make out the 2,3,4 beat themes, but the longer ones are increasingly hard to find. You'd have to find a way around that. I could indeed compose themes that would fit together in changing ways, but that would kinda negate the aleatoric nature of the piece. Dilemma.

Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

guitapick	guitapick said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	~ Nice of you to take the time to explain your artistic process. Thanks. Check out my latest song called 'Cuz I Can

Ibstrat	Ibstrat said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	This is a very cool sound- don't know if i've ever heard that many recorders at once.There is a great piece by Steve Reich for multiple guitars called "Electric Counter Point" which has a similar effect.Excellent piece. Check out my latest song called I Could Write a Book

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	I heart Steve Reich I don't know the piece you mention, but I'll check it out. The typical Reich piece has those shifting parts, as in Violin Phase, or Six Pianos. Curious to see if I've unconsciously or unknowingly copied him with this piece. Thanks! Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

pablatone	pablatone said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	Hey that tickles. Check out my latest song called King Kong

drakonis

drakonis said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)

Polyrhythmic fugue?
what would you call this... so we have multiple overlaid rhythms, that eventually line up (lowest common factor) at the very end... dang, you did this experiment before I did! Very cool mathematical experiment, and all the better by performing it with real instruments. I enjoyed mentally trying to pick out the different gear-teeth as they rotated around, ready to line up!
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Belle Aire (for Mandolin Orchestra)

	said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	waaaay cool i love lab experiments like this - tree full of birds is right on - and quite magical birdies they are. the breath at the close was just perfect. i really enjoyed hearing your synapses firing. anne

bud	bud said 1920 days ago (February 17th, 2008)
	This is cool - I really like program music I assume you played all the parts 0 or do you have a lot of cool friends who can count really well? You and SmokeyVW should get your analytic brains together sometime. Check out my latest song called ditto

ceilidh	ceilidh said 1918 days ago (February 19th, 2008)
	Isn't it the way Bach was composing his music? Math, math and again math? :) So those journeyman years in inflation of master's bellows taught you something after all :) An interesting enterprise Vic with very smart and unexpected ending. like it a lot P. Check out my latest song called Gartan Mother's Lullaby

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1918 days ago (February 19th, 2008)
	I see you read the bio Yep, that's how one learns: pay careful attention to what the master is doing. Thanks for the kind words. Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

Cameron

Cameron said 1918 days ago (February 19th, 2008)

[gasp!]
This is cool. One doesn't usually hear recorders making this kind of ensemble sound.

Either my ears started getting used to it towards the end, or things just got more interesting. The textures in the latter half of the piece seemed more complex and varied than the early portion of the piece.

That last breath at the end reminded me of getting ready to play a horn passage in the orchestra, then suddenly the conductor lowers his arms. [gasp!]

Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1918 days ago (February 19th, 2008)
	Textures I assure you, the whole piece consists of simple repetitions. I've played every theme only once, after which Logic is doing the repeating. So the second half should be more or less the same as the beginning, and any differences you hear are purely in the mind. Thanks for commenting. Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

Heightened	Heightened said 1916 days ago (February 21st, 2008)
	This is just plain weird. And I like it! Check out my latest song called Caldari

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1915 days ago (February 21st, 2008)
	Perfect That's a response that makes me happy! Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

DWL	DWL said 1915 days ago (February 22nd, 2008)
	Maths and music forever intertwined. An interesting exercise very well executed. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called Not For The Likes of You

Scott Carmichael

Scott Carmichael said 1914 days ago (February 23rd, 2008)

Rainman makes music
Are you an excellent driver?... this is the kind of thing I always find interesting... I wish I'd thought of it... it took a couple of listens to try and identify different parts... I'm an excellent driver too, but I didn't succeed.. it creates a bed (soundtrack-like)... and would provide an excellent launching pad for a more extended orchestral work, that could emerge out of this...

but on it's own it would make a great ringtone for rainman

Check out my latest song called Dogwood

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1914 days ago (February 23rd, 2008)
	Ringtone for rainman That's the funniest comment so far. Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

magnatone	magnatone said 1914 days ago (February 23rd, 2008)
	WOW This is amazing. I have no idea how you did this, it seems like it's all confusion, but then it's totally not. I love the breaths - this is just really cool! Thanks! Check out my latest song called Blind Love (Seeing Heart) - Orchestral Version

Bowman	Bowman said 1910 days ago (February 27th, 2008)
	Mechanically organic. An oddly compelling listen which held me till the your "last breath" Check out my latest song called RADIANT FLESH (take 2)

	said 1909 days ago (February 28th, 2008)
	Great Brilliant idea with the notes playing.... I like the sound on this song... A great happy tune... Thanks for sharing....

	said 1907 days ago (March 1st, 2008)
	It all adds up I like the mathematical approach, and the sonic result.

Bob6stringer	Bob6stringer said 1870 days ago (April 7th, 2008)
	Good math This music and the concept behind it has the feeling of a very human message to some ancient astronaut civilization that took off the stars. Are you calling them to return? This unique beath of fresh musical air might just do the trick. Check out my latest song called Call Me (Turn to Me Reprise)

	said 1852 days ago (April 25th, 2008)
	Enjoyable! Yes, it's unique. But wonderfully done and excellently played. Nice! Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

rsorensen	rsorensen said 1845 days ago (May 1st, 2008)
	WOW this is very cool. glad i found this little gem of a track Check out my latest song called Again

HenriROGERsoloandbands	HenriROGERsoloandbands said 1805 days ago (June 11th, 2008)
	Bunch Very interesting piece .

LaLa_Divina	LaLa_Divina said 1799 days ago (June 17th, 2008)
	Once again Just like in your Renaissance piece, the concept is great . . . But (and yippee) the music is so much more than the concept. Sometimes in conceptual art (and I am a big fan of conceptual art) the concept is the art. You seem to have the best of both worlds the interesting concept and beautiful music that could stand alone. Check out my latest song called Regnava nel silenzio

LaLa_Divina	LaLa_Divina said 1799 days ago (June 17th, 2008)
	Also the breaths totally make the piece. Check out my latest song called Regnava nel silenzio

mjAlbumPods	mjAlbumPods said 1609 days ago (December 23rd, 2008)
	B O U N D A R I E S featured in B O U N D A R I E S http://www.macjams.com/forum/viewtopic.php?forum=6;showtopic=151051 Check out my latest song called A7 vol.1

Fan List

bud

DWL

Artist Info

Name: Victor
Location: Austin TX

My CD of Native American Flute music is out! Rain in the canyon by Oakensong In past lives, VicDiesel was a country fiddler, a shawm player at the Burgundy court, bellows pumper for JS Bach, Geoff Emerick's factotum, and a beggar playin... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

More songs in Twentieth Century:

Chat