musical notes (in progress)

updated: 20230305

our beautiful multifaced world is attacked by ... money

i am trying to write a piece of music, but notate it using only words. what follows (below) are the words/score i have written so far (just below these introductory bits).

some other things i keep in mind

• do not write techniques unique to a particular instrument
• the pieces should be recognizable (regardless of player)
• scored for only a single musician (+ instrument)

the written material should be interesting in and of itself (perhaps also supporting the particular idea)

"To play the qin is to cultivate one's nature, not to acquire fame." --wu cheng (1249 - 1333)

the pieces

machine logic

• start with a single pitch in a high register
• the articulation of the pitch should be a flat unwavering tone
• repeat the pitch at a regular pace, not too fast, but keep the tempo consistent

• perform 8 or 12 or 16 repetitions of the pitch (inclusive)
• pause for a bit without keeping the tempo

• begin a steady oscillation between the starting pitch, and the one a major third higher
• return to the tempo set earlier but divide it in two (each pitch gets one half)
• continue like this for a bit longer than before

• when deciding where to stop- it should be sudden and unexpected (prime numbers may be helpful)
• this second pause should be shorter than the earlier one

• start again (perhaps a tiny bit faster, perhaps at the same tempo)
• after only a few repetions make two changes
• both pitches move up a major third (thereby "completing" an augmented chord)
• increase the rate of oscillation such that the division in half, becomes a division in thirds

• continue at this quicker pace for a relatively short time
• at an unexpected moment, take a quick breath
• in a similar unexpected moment, start again (at this same quicker pace)
• continue for an even shorter time than before
• in another unexpected moment, stop for an even quicker breath
• start up in the same way again
• this time only for a very few oscillations

• the piece is now over

comfy chair

(maybe a few limericks)