Music & Techniques by Chris Vaisvil

Two Microtonal Pieces

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For Brass and Voice Choirs in 17 edo

This is a piece using 2 keyboards, an M-Audio 88es (vocal choir) and Alesis Q49 (brass choir) in 17 notes per octave. The objective was to use some functional xenharmonic chord progressions. I would be interested in knowing if you perceive the harmonies as having direction, tension and release in the sense of 12 equal common practice chord progressions.

For 2 Violas and Gongs in 10 edo

This is a piece performed on an Alesis Q49 using Kontakt 4’s viola and gongs samples as the sound source. The violas are retuned to 10 notes per octave. This piece is concentrates more on melodic aspects. This is my first piece in 10 edo and I found it rather easy and intuitive to compose in.

Comments

2 responses to “Two Microtonal Pieces”

  1. admin

    Hi Joel,

    Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment after listening – it is very appreciated!! I think 10, 11, and 13 offer some good dissonant possibilities. The Metamorphosis of Gregor and Jeffery Dalmer Cook at 11 EDO both illustrate my more strident moments with 11 edo which may be of interest to you. Muon Catalyzed Fusion is one published piece in 13 edo. Of course your mileage may vary.

    Best,

    Chris

  2. joel taylor

    Really like the piece for 2 violas and gongs in 10 edo…Nice work!

    The 17-tone piece left me cold, though it clearly succeeds at doing “harmony” if harmony means standard type tension and release…
    I’m sure you can do better.

    Personally I yearn for dissonances, and for stronger melodies to make up the “harmonies”…. for harmonic dissonances worthy of resolution! But this 10 tone piece, it’s awesome! And, in my opinion, has plenty to offer re advanced harmonic practice…

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