Improvised Suite No.1

"Improvised Suite on December 1st, 2009"Yes, an improvised name to go with it. I just went through three hours of trumpet recitals, both solo and ensemble. It was all very good, but that's not the point. Point is is that it got me in the mood to actually record one of my musical ramblings, so I dragged the computer along with me to the practice room, hit "record" and didn't stop until I had played enough of ... something. Only pre-rehearsed part of this improvisation is the motif in the very beginning. Everything else was made up on the spot. I ended up rambling along in patterns "borrowed" from some of the accompaniments I've been doing lately - among which were Amanda Bee's and Doug Thompson's. Maybe some others wormed their way in there, if they did I wasn't really paying any mind.As I played on, I ended up on deciding to play four movements. The first movement is of course a prelude with an important "theme." The second movement was a sort of march like thing. Then the third movement was a more spatial work and tended to be very dissonant. I worked a recurring little annoying motif into it, and also another recurring figure - the bouncing ball note, where a note is struck as if a bouncy ball landed on it, it gradually gets fast and quieter. I like using that idea. The fourth movement is a dark wrap-up. I included a couple string-piano notes for good measure (that's where I pluck the strings of the piano rather than press the keys for those who aren't familiar.) I plucked near the bridge to get a particularly bright sound, but I didn't use the technique very much.So let me know what you think! This is the first time I've ventured on to actually recording my musical ramblings. Tyler, here's proof that I can play SOME dissonance.Listen to Improvised Suite No.1

Improvised Suite No.1

It says that the File is not Found. Could you try uploading it again? (This is now fixed.)

Hmm, yes it does and no I can't. My account it broken right now, so until it's fixed here is a box.net divided into two parts. Movements 1 and 2, then 3 and 4.

Part one: http://www.box.net/shared/n38r70fb9q

Part two: http://www.box.net/shared/fq6yin8ige

Enjoy!

This is the first time I've ventured on to actually recording my musical ramblings. Tyler, here's proof that I can play SOME dissonance.

Let's be honest....

Was it intended dissonace or just fingering mistakes?

I do a lot of Improv piano work but of course mine is almost always much more dissonant in nature. And not all of my dissonace on the piano is done on purpose either, so I can relate.

The third begins with a very nice little dreamy feel to it. I like it a lot.

I also liked the ending of the second movement.

So what did you use for a mic and interface?

Pianos are never an easy thing to mic. The last time I did one was with a $29 cassette player that had a built in mic. Nothing but the best for my tinkering on the Ivories.

Nice work.

Ron

The first one sounds like Mr. Roger's Neighborhood on LSD, I swear. The fact that was clearly unintentional, makes me love it a lot. :lol:

The second is a very fun march: kind of dreamy. But the left hand's clacking at the keyboard gets pretty tiring, I must admit. Dun, dun, dun, dun...on and on. I think it needs to do something else!

The third one: starts off sort of conceptually...sounds sort of like raindrops hitting a bucket...hmm. I like the way it leads into the loud dissonance, the way it fades in and out... and the chords used are very intriguing, especially that major used almost a third of the way through, that gave me a shiver. Neat!

This fourth one is great, especially after the third one, because it feels like emerging from a thick place of heavy dissonance (as though the dissonance is quicksand), and then you sort of just...float! Interesting.

All in all, these are pretty good, but considering that they are improvisations, that makes them more impressive. Thanks for sharing, I had a good time with them! :D

Let's be honest....

Was it intended dissonace or just fingering mistakes?

I do a lot of Improv piano work but of course mine is almost always much more dissonant in nature. And not all of my dissonace on the piano is done on purpose either, so I can relate.

The second begins with a very nice little dreamy feel to it. I like it a lot.

I also liked the ending of the first part.

So what did you use for a mic and interface?

Pianos are never an easy thing to mic. The last time I did one was with a $29 cassette player that had a built in mic. Nothing but the best for my tinkering on the Ivories.

Nice work.

Ron

Dissonance was usually entirely intended. If I made a "mistake", I usually repeated it again to make it sound like I intended it the first time, then I go on to develop it and make sense of it. In a sense, I'm playing off of my own mistakes. Making something new out of "wrong" notes.

I recorded simply using my laptop's built-in mic and Reaper software. Hence the rather poor quality, but it's decent enough for my purposes. Recorded in a smallish soundproofed practice room.

The first one sounds like Mr. Roger's Neighborhood on LSD, I swear. The fact that was clearly unintentional, makes me love it a lot. :lol:

The second is a very fun march: kind of dreamy. But the left hand's clacking at the keyboard gets pretty tiring, I must admit. Dun, dun, dun, dun...on and on. I think it needs to do something else!

The third one: starts off sort of conceptually...sounds sort of like raindrops hitting a bucket...hmm. I like the way it leads into the loud dissonance, the way it fades in and out... and the chords used are very intriguing, especially that major used almost a third of the way through, that gave me a shiver. Neat!

This fourth one is great, especially after the third one, because it feels like emerging from a thick place of heavy dissonance (as though the dissonance is quicksand), and then you sort of just...float! Interesting.

All in all, these are pretty good, but considering that they are improvisations, that makes them more impressive. Thanks for sharing, I had a good time with them! :D

Mr. Rogers', really? HAHA! I see you about the repetitiveness of the dun dun dun dun in the march on and on and on again. It does get old... if I were to transcribe this into a written work, I'd change some of them to legato - it would help by creating the illusion that it's different without me having to change notes!

Yeah, I know, where did that major chord come from? :laugh: :laugh:

Thank you for both listening! I'll probably do another one this semester, keep your eyes peeled!

I wish I could improvise something half as good as these <_<

I entered that contest, and uploaded something that just popped up into my head, and didn't revise or anything. I think it's meh.

You should enter the January Competition (or are you already signed up?)

Great improvisations, building off your mistakes really does create wonders like this. I love the last 4 minutes the most, and I'm most impressed with your playing and improv skills... quite jealous really Hope to hear more, cheers!