This deserves more development, and perhaps I’ll get to that in a short while. For now, I thought that this was a nice example of theme and variation, within the context of an uptempo, scherzo-like presentation.

piano scherzo

This excerpt is cheap Reich in the sense that it is using controlled feedback to achieve the same basic effect as Reich’s through-composed work. It could go on forever, but let’s call it a day after a few minutes …

minimalist

A clip here of something that is to me a breakthrough of sorts in terms of being able to present at least a ‘section’ of music that has some interoperability to it.

Have used a common set of melodic patterns here and spread them across several instruments.

I’ve also used some of Messiaen’s more common pitch sets as harmonic background. It’s not a completely elegant solution, but it does begin to spell out that this methodology works. Thankfully, I don’t have yet to deal with voice leading, which is not (at least based on my current scripting acuity) an apparent strength of the program I’m using . . .

Cheers.

messiaen

I guess I just choose to just call it experience, and move on.

Here’s a short meditation for those so inclined as we all move into 2011. I’d only ask that as your mind becomes still, you give some focus to the things that in 2010 have given you reason to be grateful. My wife and I do this as a practice every night through journaling. Try to think of just three things today, this week, or even this year that have given you reason to be grateful. I am believing that you will succeed.

My wife has decided to dedicate the next 365 days online to generating an online gratitude journal. You are most welcome to join. It is one small way, we believe, to begin to change the world . . . if only every day one says ‘thank you.’ Visit her blog and contribute as much as you like at http://urbestlifeyet.blogspot.com/

And as often as you like, please enjoy this brief clip as a gratitude meditation aid . . .

in gratitude 2010

I’m believing for a live performance at the Festival, pulling material from my upcoming CD “Simple Songs: To The One”.  To be playing again. It’s been a while, but it would be a complete blast . . .

Please join me in manifesting this. Here’s a first sketch (minus vocals) of the title cut for the CD. Headphones would be good . . . real, not cheesy speakers, would be awesome.

More to come.

to the one

My wife Linda is out of town, and it’s getting pretty lonely on this end. The word melancholy came to mind.

Here’s two different iterations . . .

melancholy

melancholy – iteration 2

And that’s not to say that the simplest of ideas is lacking. That’s only to say that mindless is mindless. Thoughtful construction is something quite different.

This excerpt will be available as an extended track in the near future. I think it warrants that. It takes advantage of some new generative techniques I’ve been working with, and I believe they bear good results. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be here.

Mostly, this is a nice relaxation exercise. Please enjoy. We all need this, regardless of whether we choose to admit it or not . . .

As always, I highly recommend headphones.

ambient harp

I have found the same calm in the midst of current uncertainty. Overwhelming calm that has no grounding in logic. These are interesting times, these.

This short excerpt best explains the feeling . . .

in peace

Headphones, and dial up to 11 . . .

fusion

This is a first example. Four duos, each of which has a harmonic set which is fixed, but which renders randomly. Four duos, each of which enters at random with each iteration of the piece.

I used somewhat odd pairings in the instrumentation just for the sake of clarity while putting this all together . . .

duets