I’m just starting this one now. Lots more work to do and only one day to do it, no time. What to do?
Month: February 2013
Barely Make It #5
This one is just about done now. I’ve generated four variations and will chose the best on for the RPM Challenge. Here’s number five.
Barely Make It #1
This piece, like the last one, is based on a sentence in a speech. I modified the rhythms by adding a few strategic rests, so that the emphasis is always on the down beat. I’ll add the speech itself in later. It’s scored for flute, vibraphone, finger piano, cello, dry spring, trumpet, and trombone. Tuning is shown in the table below:
The six note scale contains a just major third triad: 4:5:6. But it also contains another triad that is decidedly not so simple. I call it an E super major with a demented fifth.
Principle #7
This one is finished for now. I may come back and try out some different versions, but I need to move on to finish the RPM Challenge pieces.
Principle #6
This one has the complete sentence read by President Obama at his inauguration:
We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate.
This clip captures him in what can only be described as the worst kind of the rhetoric he claims to abhor. He says that he is opposed to spectacle, while giving a speech in front of hundreds of thousands of his adoring fans, and the media. But I repeat myself. And he starts out by name-calling his opponents as absolutists, then condemns those who call him names. But it does flow so beautifully when he says it. I attempted to capture the rhythm and tones spoken in a six toned minor scale.
Principle #5
Switched out the violins for flute and vibraphone, and changed some of the rhythms of the melody to make them more music.
Principle #4
Added in some violins, and spent way too much time on the percussion and strings.
Principle
I’m still testing out some short bits based on the inflections and rhythms of a famous speaker. It should soon become obvious.
Kickoff for the RPM Challenge
The RPM Challenge is a web site that encourages musicians to make a CD of music during the month of February. I’ve done it off and on for the past five years or so. As they say on their web site:
The RPM Challenge is simple: Record an album in 28 days, just because you can. That’s 10 songs or 35 minutes or original material recorded during the month of February. This is a challenge, not a contest—the only prize is getting the music community making some music together in February! We all win!
Today’s entry is a short melodic bit based on the inflections and rhythms of a famous speaker.