Music & Techniques by Chris Vaisvil

Prelude in 18ET

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This Prelude in 18ET comes from a challenge on the microtonal tuning list to write something in the whole tone scale that didn’t sound like Debussy or Satie. This prelude has decidedly Debussian whole tone passages.  All 3 whole tone scales are used. Realized through Pianoteq 3.0, M-audio Keystation 88es

(The first response was a jazz-fusion piece called The Good Boundless that used 12ET – i.e. normal tuning)

My experience with 18ET was that the tuning was familiar and different at the same time. It was fairly easy to handle with a regular keyboard and the mental mapping of every third note being a whole step was easy to remember. As a result I was able to achieve reasonable melodic dexterity and performance speed.  I plan to revisit 18ET in the future. Presently I’m working through a backlog of more pedestrian pop/rock music. Also I’m waiting with impatience on the imminent arrival of Garritan Jazz and Big Band sample set that uses the new Aria player – and thus can be programed to use microtonal tunings! That will be a great addition.

Comments

3 responses to “Prelude in 18ET”

  1. jlsmith

    18edo Prelude is very nice, and not Debussy-ian or otherwise derivative…sensitive use of piano technique, too…well done, sir

    best, jls

  2. Michael Kasper

    Dear Chris,

    I liked The Good Boundless. It had inflections that made me think it was microtonal at certain points. I really like the fusion you used and the blending of parts. Thanks for posting!

    Peace,

    Mike

  3. Michael Kasper

    Dear Chris,

    I like Prelude in 18ET. It flows/travels very nicely. Nice use of silence and the mystique of the whole tone scale. Love it!

    Peace,

    Mike

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