…on the path, re:music keys
Friday, May 26th, 2006This is to answer Jeff’s question about keys of the drone pieces.
“1 pearl earring” is in G
“Sapphire facet #3″ is in C
As my freind has pointed out, I’ve always loved C and A min.; because they are easy to play with high probabilty of playing right notes!
What I really like about the key of C is it’s underestimated ability to sound contemplative and bittersweet.
It gets pigeon holed into being this really happy & very vanilla key, but it has other sides.
‘Look up’ is more esoteric in that it’s in G mixolydian which is a major key with a flat seventh. Now, I REALLY like these modal keys. Even though it gravitates to G major eventually, it evokes an exotic vibe to me; especially when the chirpy birds are added.
Recently I found a used synthesizer that will play in alternate tunings. Of course it would be just as well to experiment with how timbre interacts within certain keys and modes.
Now, the duduk music I modeled these drone pieces after may in a ‘Slendro’ tuning. Although I can’t prove it yet, I’ll look into providing some empirical evidence.
Although everything I’ve written is very Western, tonally;
I’m open to these alternate tunings, and modes for future pieces.
It opens a lot of windows for ideas and exploration.
I find this aspect of music very exciting, it’s very refreshing.
There comes a time to quit talking and do it, right?
Stephen A. Thomas