Improvisations
Improvisations are listed here
Solo Improvisations
Solo improvisations using computer and occasionally some live instrumental or sound sources.
Grooves_01
A repetitious and noisy improv on computer using a three-part version of my sample accurate sequencer. This improvisation is unedited. The performance was created in real-time using some sounds from the MaxMSP distribution. Maxers will notice anton.aif and drumloop.aif in particular. The file was normalised to -3dB before creating the mp3. Crtitical notes; The improvisation is too long. When creating the file, it did not feel like this. When captured and stored as a fixed entity however, looping sounds become very rigid, like obstacles that need to be broken down, worn away at. In performance, the feeling of repetition can be more diffuse but it would be better to be more aware of the sound as it happens and less concentrated on running the system. It is satisfying when the repetition is halted or occasionally broken but even this affect would be more pronounced and effective if the second half of the improvisation was half as long. The ending is very deliberate and shows more control of the instrument than might be felt while listening.Sloe_going
Sloe-going was left on for a few minutes while I left the room for a comfort break. I came back after three minutes and got started. The sound sources are very short taken from my student's sound libraries. The are mostly unrecognisable, they came from Sean Williams, Dave Meckin and John Lemke. The sources are freely downloadable from here; http://blue.caad.ed.ac.uk/infrared. This is the University of Edinburgh's online sound library. Critical notes; Again, similar problems with the looping nature of the sequencer. With a solo instrument on top, this might be useful as an improv tool in performance. It is too long.formlessness
Formlessness is a rather formess improvisation created with the sequencing software I made in MaxMSP. The sound sources are very short taken from my student's sound libraries. The are mostly unrecognisable but the sources were recorded and edited by Sean Williams, Dave Meckin and John Lemke. The sources are freely downloadable from here; http://blue.caad.ed.ac.uk/infrared. This is the University of Edinburgh's online sound library. This is a single take as are all the improvisations. Normaised to -3dB before creating the mp3. Critical notes; too long again.Tribute to Anton.aif
AS short tribute to Anton.aif using the Webern extract hosted in the MaxMSP directory and triggered using a Roland SPD-6 drum-pad. http://www.cycling74.comcan't play keyboards
Can't play keyboards is an illustration of just that. Listen out for the crappy keyboard playing.MkM - Free improv trio
MkM: MkM - Free Improv Trio, Edinburgh
MkM consists of
Michael Edwards: Alto Sax, WX5 MIDI Wind Controller, Computer (http://www.michael-edwards.org)
Martin Parker: Trumpet, Flugelhorn, French Horn, Computer (http://www.tinpark.com)
Karin Schistek: Piano
We try to play together weekly in Edinburgh.
23-11-06-Take01-Section1
Free improv trio MKM improvising on 23-11-2006. Karin Schistek - Piano, inside and out Michael Edwards - midi sax, computer, fader box Martin Parker - Horn, faderbox and computer. Recorded with an ambiently positioned pair of in-ear mics and an M-Audio microtrack. Section 1 of a three part improv.Reid Memorial Concert, Feb 2007
The Reid Memorial Concert is an annual hommage to the leagcy of General Reid who funded the establishment of the department of music at the Universtiy of Edinburgh
Improvisation
An improvisation with Mark Summers (viola da gamba) and a hastily put together peice of software that is playyed by a Roland Drum Pad SPD-6. With a foot switch, the live instrument can sample himself at will. Part of the Reid Memorial Concert, 13th Feb 2007. Recorded by Sean Williams and Yann-Loic SeznecMarch and Remix
March and Remix This is a performance of a March by General Reid with Philip Sawyer on keyboard and Matthew Studdert Kennedy on flute and Mark Summers on viol. As the music is played, the computer performer samples the sounds which are subsequently remixed into a form of sorts. Perfomed live at th Reid Memorial Concert, 13th Feb 2007 Recorded by Sean Williams and Yann-Loic SeznecZAM, Isolated Improviser
ZAM, Cologne, May 2007
On the 17th May 2007, I played a concert as part of the 2007 Cologne Trienneal. The performance was comissioned by ZAM, a collective of adventurous musicians keen to explore and demonstrate possiblities for the "computer music instrument".
Here is some more information about ZAM: http://www.z-a-m.eu/ENGLISHzam.html
Take a look at the line up they put together here: http://www.z-a-m.eu/ENGLISHcmi.html
Their approach is pluralistic and they were keen to see what would happen if you put different performers together and use the computer as the instrument that mediates between them, a risky business because disparate entities tend to prefer to remain distinct.
I was asked to share a stage with Lawrence Casserly. We were to play some solo sets and also to perform together, live for the first time. I chose to make use of the Spectral Tourist and Environment systems to give some very specific material for the solo episodes.
I took recordings of the whole performance from my desk. I only recorded my output however as I find this very useful material for further mixing etc. It turns out that the output from the desk was very hot so the recorded signal was very heavily distorted. I'm glad about this and present the structure I performed with at the festival but you will hear how my recording device, not the audience heard it.