Sunday, January 22, 2012
Explosions: Ashes by Ebro
My attempt at creating a sound like the band Explosions in the Sky. I wanted to see what it felt like to play what they played. I've created a short film using the music to express the song more deeply..
Saturday, January 14, 2012
My Favorite Music Box
1/7/2012 5:31 PM Music Box by insoundlife
I've heard this tune ever since I was a small child. Every Christmas, my parents hung the large bulbous music box (it resembled a Christmas ornament) on the solid brown door at the front of our house. When pulling the long string to play the song, a sound much like that of a sailboat winch would rip through the bulb.. and then, the soft melody began.
I'm fascinated by how music boxes work. The sound is produced by a tiny cylindrical strip of metal flocked with flat metal prongs. These intricately placed "pins" turn 'round and 'round the cylinder, plucking a steel comb, creating a resonated array of tones at different times. The placement of the pins on the strip determines in which order the teeth of the comb are raked, and, therefore, determines the melody and rhythm of the song. The faster the cylinder rotates, the faster the song plays and vice versa.
Yadda yadda yadda...I'm sure you already know this. But, I thought it would be fun to explain. If you ever want to see it in action, just take a music box apart like I did. Or, just buy a music box where you can see the gears working. It's pretty awesome.
I find the melody of this music box to be particularly beautiful. It's haunting, delicate, and perfect in its simplicity. The notes are blue and aching. A melancholy tune, invoking images of empty dark nights and sorrowful weeping willows.. beautiful..
In my song "Trace of Fuel" on ebro.bandcamp.com , I've manipulated the song by reversing the sound wave timeline and adding various effects to the new sound. You can download and listen to it here:
I've heard this tune ever since I was a small child. Every Christmas, my parents hung the large bulbous music box (it resembled a Christmas ornament) on the solid brown door at the front of our house. When pulling the long string to play the song, a sound much like that of a sailboat winch would rip through the bulb.. and then, the soft melody began.
I'm fascinated by how music boxes work. The sound is produced by a tiny cylindrical strip of metal flocked with flat metal prongs. These intricately placed "pins" turn 'round and 'round the cylinder, plucking a steel comb, creating a resonated array of tones at different times. The placement of the pins on the strip determines in which order the teeth of the comb are raked, and, therefore, determines the melody and rhythm of the song. The faster the cylinder rotates, the faster the song plays and vice versa.
Yadda yadda yadda...I'm sure you already know this. But, I thought it would be fun to explain. If you ever want to see it in action, just take a music box apart like I did. Or, just buy a music box where you can see the gears working. It's pretty awesome.
I find the melody of this music box to be particularly beautiful. It's haunting, delicate, and perfect in its simplicity. The notes are blue and aching. A melancholy tune, invoking images of empty dark nights and sorrowful weeping willows.. beautiful..
In my song "Trace of Fuel" on ebro.bandcamp.com , I've manipulated the song by reversing the sound wave timeline and adding various effects to the new sound. You can download and listen to it here:
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Philip Glass
So here we are on a Friday night, the Eve of something big. My thoughts wander around my room as I listen to the cold fresh keys of Philip Glass. I figured this would be a good time to write my blog about him, seeing as I will probably not be sleeping anytime soon.. :)
I wanted to write a blog about Philip Glass because I truly feel that his pieces of music are genius. To be honest, during the first year I listened to Glass, I remained relatively uninterested and unimpressed. (Minus listening to "Truman Sleeps" from the Truman Show..) I found the songs I had listened to to be very simple, repetitive, and minimalistic. (Duh, he's a minimalist, Madelyn. I know..i know..)
I felt this way for quite some time.. And then it clicked. It all clicked in this beautiful and triumph way. His music is genius.. magical.
Glass has a way of creating music that transcends listeners into a completely different and complex world.. Even in his simplest songs, his piano motifs and phrases combined with his extreme attention to dynamics and rhythms have the ability to facilitate very lucid spiritual depth.. In order to truly obtain this experience and profoundness Glass webs into every piece, one must softly attach his or herself to the sound while simultaneously free floating alongside it. I think of it somewhat like holding someone's thumb in your fist only ever so slightly..Both feelings, the feeling of someone holding your thumb and the feeling of holding someone else's. Such a peculiarly loose feeling.. But, a trusting hold nonetheless.
One must let the music guide thoughts.. Closed eyes, open ears, open mind.
In this way, it is possible to see all of the images Glass paints with his music, the open spaces, the in-betweens, the cascading woodwinds and strings, the potential laced in every note. In this way, we begin to hear his music not as a repetitive stream, but a swirling river of thought bubbling with the capability of new growth because of its stable basis. It's so beautiful..
Perhaps, I shouldn't explain it more.. It really is something you have to understand through yourself when you are ready..
A few weeks ago, I sat down late at night and began learning Philip Glass's "Opening." After what felt like five minutes, I checked my clock to find that three hours had passed. Amazing.. Truly immersed in his piece, I saw bright and vibrant images..memories..things I had never before seen.. The music became something else, something beyond music. Like hypnotic ear exercise or something..
I played for three hours and didn't realize it. The song made me forget time. Travel time. I don't know..
"Satyagraha" was much the same experience. I remember during one act I completely forgot where I was..like I had somehow closed my eyes while leaving them open. Like my chair was suddenly this foreign thing beneath me, pressing up against me.
Just incredible...
I think the beautiful thing about his music is that it gives us something to tie our thoughts to as we wander through our minds. It grounds listeners in a steady somethingness that allows for growth and rebirth. All through the clarity of glass.. It's genius. I don't quite understand how he does it.. I analyzed the "Opening" piece.. and it's just so simple. The rhythms are odd, yes. The dynamics are perfectly placed.. As if Glass had some super intelligent knowledge of exactly the right point to place the crescendos and decrescendos to foster a connection with the song.
I don't know. I'm just amazed...Perhaps I'm over-analyzing.. But I just think he's incredible.
I definitely recommend checking out his opera "Satyagraha" if you ever get the chance to see it. It's all about the life and struggles of Ghandi.. Sung in Sanskrit and everything..
Also check out these songs:
"Opening" by Philip Glass
"Island" by Philip Glass
"Escape! (Piano Solo)" by Philip Glass
I wanted to write a blog about Philip Glass because I truly feel that his pieces of music are genius. To be honest, during the first year I listened to Glass, I remained relatively uninterested and unimpressed. (Minus listening to "Truman Sleeps" from the Truman Show..) I found the songs I had listened to to be very simple, repetitive, and minimalistic. (Duh, he's a minimalist, Madelyn. I know..i know..)
I felt this way for quite some time.. And then it clicked. It all clicked in this beautiful and triumph way. His music is genius.. magical.
Glass has a way of creating music that transcends listeners into a completely different and complex world.. Even in his simplest songs, his piano motifs and phrases combined with his extreme attention to dynamics and rhythms have the ability to facilitate very lucid spiritual depth.. In order to truly obtain this experience and profoundness Glass webs into every piece, one must softly attach his or herself to the sound while simultaneously free floating alongside it. I think of it somewhat like holding someone's thumb in your fist only ever so slightly..Both feelings, the feeling of someone holding your thumb and the feeling of holding someone else's. Such a peculiarly loose feeling.. But, a trusting hold nonetheless.
One must let the music guide thoughts.. Closed eyes, open ears, open mind.
In this way, it is possible to see all of the images Glass paints with his music, the open spaces, the in-betweens, the cascading woodwinds and strings, the potential laced in every note. In this way, we begin to hear his music not as a repetitive stream, but a swirling river of thought bubbling with the capability of new growth because of its stable basis. It's so beautiful..
Perhaps, I shouldn't explain it more.. It really is something you have to understand through yourself when you are ready..
A few weeks ago, I sat down late at night and began learning Philip Glass's "Opening." After what felt like five minutes, I checked my clock to find that three hours had passed. Amazing.. Truly immersed in his piece, I saw bright and vibrant images..memories..things I had never before seen.. The music became something else, something beyond music. Like hypnotic ear exercise or something..
I played for three hours and didn't realize it. The song made me forget time. Travel time. I don't know..
"Satyagraha" was much the same experience. I remember during one act I completely forgot where I was..like I had somehow closed my eyes while leaving them open. Like my chair was suddenly this foreign thing beneath me, pressing up against me.
Just incredible...
I think the beautiful thing about his music is that it gives us something to tie our thoughts to as we wander through our minds. It grounds listeners in a steady somethingness that allows for growth and rebirth. All through the clarity of glass.. It's genius. I don't quite understand how he does it.. I analyzed the "Opening" piece.. and it's just so simple. The rhythms are odd, yes. The dynamics are perfectly placed.. As if Glass had some super intelligent knowledge of exactly the right point to place the crescendos and decrescendos to foster a connection with the song.
I don't know. I'm just amazed...Perhaps I'm over-analyzing.. But I just think he's incredible.
I definitely recommend checking out his opera "Satyagraha" if you ever get the chance to see it. It's all about the life and struggles of Ghandi.. Sung in Sanskrit and everything..
Also check out these songs:
"Opening" by Philip Glass
"Island" by Philip Glass
"Escape! (Piano Solo)" by Philip Glass
Friday, January 6, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Room 6B, Harlem
Thanksgiving Day... Locked outside of our flat, I recorded the sounds of the hallway..
I sit against the wall as a family gathers for Thanksgiving.
11 24 2011 3 36 PM by insoundlife
my favorite recording yet..
I sit against the wall as a family gathers for Thanksgiving.
11 24 2011 3 36 PM by insoundlife
my favorite recording yet..
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Cricks and Cracks of New York
I've been meaning to blog these sounds for a while...but just haven't gotten around to doing so until now.
I spent a week in New York with some friends for Thanksgiving.. There were so many incredible things to see and hear.. Though I've been to New York a few times before, I find it quite impossible to not discover something beautiful and unique in every place I went..Here are some sounds I found and love..
Subway Sax:
People utilize public space in such interesting ways..The creative stage that subway cars become is so awesome.. On a subway car at night:
11-23-2011 8:04 PM by insoundlife
Central Park on Thanksgiving Day:
Beautiful day. I love the way the sound changes in the tunnel..I think he did, too. :)
11/24/2011 1:32 PM by insoundlife
The Macy's Day Thanksgiving Day parade-- Near Central Park
"Happy Thanksgiving, New York!"
People everywhere, cheers echoing off of the large buildings around us..
11/24/2011 10:31 AM by insoundlife
Steinway and Sons, Soft Keys
On one afternoon, I got to visit Steinway Hall. Pretty much died of happiness.. There were so many different piano sounds! I realized again the importance of having the right instrument. The clarity of music is incredible, almost pure, when listening through a fit instrument. I was amazed..
I met a really nice guy playing the piano there. We played for quite a while. Perhaps I'll post that music later..
I stole away to play the pianos in the other room.. One in particular was the strangest, most adorable and loving piano I've ever met. It had such a great soul. Just listen to the way the hammers hit the keys..
I ended up playing a song I really love.
"As a War" by Pale Young Gentlemen
11/25/2011 1:35 PM by insoundlife
Squeaky Times Square
11/25/2011 3:59 PM by insoundlife
I went to "Satyagraha," an opera by Philip Glass, at the Metropolitan Opera.. I can't express to you how amazing it was.. I'll have another separate blog about it.. whoa..
Philip Glass decided to walk on stage at the end. Here is the moment and the audience's reaction :)
Philip Glass by insoundlife
Breathing Drain--Battery Park
A drain that breathed.
Breathing Drains 11 27 2011 11 07 AM by insoundlife
Beautiful buzzing city...
I spent a week in New York with some friends for Thanksgiving.. There were so many incredible things to see and hear.. Though I've been to New York a few times before, I find it quite impossible to not discover something beautiful and unique in every place I went..Here are some sounds I found and love..
Subway Sax:
People utilize public space in such interesting ways..The creative stage that subway cars become is so awesome.. On a subway car at night:
11-23-2011 8:04 PM by insoundlife
Central Park on Thanksgiving Day:
Beautiful day. I love the way the sound changes in the tunnel..I think he did, too. :)
11/24/2011 1:32 PM by insoundlife
The Macy's Day Thanksgiving Day parade-- Near Central Park
"Happy Thanksgiving, New York!"
People everywhere, cheers echoing off of the large buildings around us..
11/24/2011 10:31 AM by insoundlife
Steinway and Sons, Soft Keys
On one afternoon, I got to visit Steinway Hall. Pretty much died of happiness.. There were so many different piano sounds! I realized again the importance of having the right instrument. The clarity of music is incredible, almost pure, when listening through a fit instrument. I was amazed..
I met a really nice guy playing the piano there. We played for quite a while. Perhaps I'll post that music later..
I stole away to play the pianos in the other room.. One in particular was the strangest, most adorable and loving piano I've ever met. It had such a great soul. Just listen to the way the hammers hit the keys..
I ended up playing a song I really love.
"As a War" by Pale Young Gentlemen
11/25/2011 1:35 PM by insoundlife
Squeaky Times Square
11/25/2011 3:59 PM by insoundlife
I went to "Satyagraha," an opera by Philip Glass, at the Metropolitan Opera.. I can't express to you how amazing it was.. I'll have another separate blog about it.. whoa..
Philip Glass decided to walk on stage at the end. Here is the moment and the audience's reaction :)
Philip Glass by insoundlife
Breathing Drain--Battery Park
A drain that breathed.
Breathing Drains 11 27 2011 11 07 AM by insoundlife
Beautiful buzzing city...
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