2nd Class BLOG - The THEREMIN

The Theremin is a magnificent instrument used to get the purest of electronic tones. The untouchable instrument is used multi-variously but most recently it has been incorporated in a large number of different electronic artists. But before these performers got a hold of the melodic antenna it was perfected by a vast few who used it in a classical formation. From DJ’s to classical composers, this musical tool has always surprised people and has held a valuable reputation for its solid, oscillating tones. These tones can bring shivers down the spine, can conjure up a cold sweat, rarely used to evoke happiness the Theremin tends to sound a bit eary (Twilight Zone)

This is the Theremin being used at one of our shows :) Le National - Dec 5th\2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrRId6Qhyag

if you watch at 3:28, Anh Phung plays the theremin which runs through a BOSS GT-8 Multi Effects pedal. (reverb + delay was used) Although hardly used, the instruments serves its purpose well :)

"what is that thing shes plays?"

"what the hell is she doing?"

were questions commonly asked after this performance.

The Manchurian Candidate

starting off this semester we analyzed the audio vibrations heard in the 2004 remake of "The Manchurian Candidate"

To begin, I'll comment on the different emotions we can feel or sense depending on the type of musical triad or chord.

MAJOR: Makes us feel happy, uplifted, optimistic, and is associated with positive feelings. These chords are commonly found in western pop tunes and love songs.
(more over, we can add one note [the 7th] to alter its emotion a bit and make it feel more gentle)

MINOR: Produces the opposite emotion; making us feel sad, alone, or in this realm of depression.

Both theses chords can have tensions that can be added to them. (9ths, 13th etc...) to alter the emotion slightly. Some making the mood a bit more mysterious, adventurous, uglier, prettier etc..

It is disputable that The None-Diagetic sounds in film are more flexible and can stir emotions that symphonies cannot. Yet this works both ways. In modern movie scores, symphonies are being discredited and are used less because of production time and costs. This raises questions about the fundamental quality of our music. (not the sound quality, but the quality in which music should be produced and listened to) yes we have many technilogical advancements in music and sound (with such programs as TRILLIUM, OMNISPHERE, REASON, FRUITY LOOPS) but the emotion produced by real violins, cellos, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets and trombones, percussion, harp etc.. [the instruments used to actually make up a symphony] it does not compare.

This is not to discredit the art of electronic music, but merely to remind people of how music use to be produced before the computer. To appreciate sound and music one must first apprehend the efforts and theoretical aspects of the classics. Chamber music, Jazz, Bepop, Celtic the list goes on!

DROP YOUR IPOD AND GRAB A RECORD :D

This is Gregory! signing off.

PS: if you enjoy ROCK however, please entertain yourself with these links to the A.D.D ROCK group i am currently leading :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwLvNmooA18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgTmPqgvzOI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjAfse666r8&feature=related

:)