Improvising my way out of a paper bag #4

As we were recording yesterday, we briefly commented on what a strange experience it was to come into this session. Strange because it was extremely difficult to guage whether we were/are prepared. With such loose structures involved, we usually have to look up some...

Improvising my way out of a paper bag #3

Today we managed to set mic levels and get some solid takes of two of our improvisations. The first was a sort of passacaglia based on a coloristic succession of parallel major chords. The second used the digital tabla playing a 15/8 rhythm called Pancham. Apparently,...

Improvising my way out of a paper bag #2

Perhaps the most exciting part of this project so far is the collaborative element. Normally, composition is a rather isolated and lonely task with the weight of the Western cult of genius bearing down on each working minute. I once heard Wynton Marsalis remark that...

Improvising my way out of a paper bag #1

This week I am making a recording with the amazing violist Jonah Sirota. The project is quite unique. It will be a recording of  improvisations for viola and organ. Naturally, my thoughts have turned to some of the interesting aspects of working on improvised...

Chaining farts together to explain music

Several friends have been passing around a recent NY Times articles about neurological studies and music. Naturally, it is fascinating stuff if you like working on cars. The article is called “Why Music Makes Our Brains Sing”, and you can read it here.My...