SI03 Experiment 3 – nSynth Everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Machine Learning(ML) and I beginning to investigate how it may shape the way we design musical instruments. First let’s get the terminology straight, AI and Machine Learning are not the same thing, although many use the words interchangeably. Artificial Intelligence is a large umbrella term for when computing... More
SI02 Experiment 2 – Nukulele Rather than using RaspberryPi and Pd (PureData) as the sound generator in this experiment I wanted to use another sound source, something that resonates acoustically that I could alter the sound of but retain the playability of the original instrument. Why not a ukulele? Running Headless I know what you’re thinking, you probably have a... More
SI01 Experiment 1 – SenseSynth I’m going to start documenting each Sonic Interactions experiment for the purpose of marking where I am in the process. Each one of these is merely a rough sketch to build upon and are in no means finished. My first experiment takes data from the accelerometer of a SenseHat and uses it to change parameters... More
Research Note 014: Amateurs & Professionals These days I’ve been telling people about my recent return to playing music seriously. Quite a few people ask whether I was professional or amateur which usually makes me pause to think. When you’re referred to as an amateur, it’s usually implied that you might be less qualified or even less talented than a professional.... More
Research Note 13: Interplay in Jazz As you may or may not know, I’m currently enjoying a sabbatical that has given me the time to explore my love of music and musical instruments. My research is about how we interact when we create music, both with instruments, other people and environments. I’m going to begin with what I know best, the interplay... More
Research Note 12: Timeboxing for Music Creating music can give you so much joy. When you’re in a state of flow and you finish a song and it sounds great. But if you ask most music producers they all agree that there seem to be as many or more moments of agony. Despite our will, there are lots of real reasons... More
Research Note 011: Creating Contraints to Create Normally I get shit done, but with music composition I tend to take my time. That normally leads to other distractions and songs just don’t get finished. In fact, they barely get started, I have a melody or a rhythm kicking around in my head and I play it into Ableton and save it. That’s... More
Research Note 010 This week I’ve been deliberating over buying a new guitar after selling my old Roland SH-101. The guitar I’m interested in is an archtop hand-made from 400yr old Red Cedar from Stanley Park by Thomas Groppi.But that inner voice is asking, but you have lots of guitars why would you need another? For me, guitars... More
Research Note 009: Is improvisation just spontaneous composition? Well, yes and no… Yes, when you improvise you are certainly generating musical ideas.And yes, these ideas contain what is referred to as “compositional elements”.And yes, as a skilled improviser, you are often constructing a solo in a sophisticated “compositional” manner. But describing improvisation as “spontaneous composition” is an incomplete (and usually inaccurate) description of... More
Research Note 008: Improvisation and Composition Today I had a great rehearsal with the Jazz Connexion Big Band, my reading is finally getting to the stage where I can enjoying it and I was really in the zone for one of my solos in Groovin’ High, a bebop tune that we’re doing a fast samba arrangement of. I’ve been thinking more... More