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)