Klarinet Archive - Posting 000376.txt from 2000/05

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Hi
Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 02:37:07 -0400

> <><> Anna wrote:
> doing stuff like multiphonics, micro-tones, flutter-tonguing and
> slap-tonguing
>
>
> I ran into the word 'micro-tone' the other day in a different
> context, and I've wondered whether I interpreted it correctly. Exactly
> what does 'micro-tone' mean?
>
>
> Thanks,
> Bill
>

It means taking traditional Western Tonality and throwing it out the window.
We are used to playing in a scale that has 12 half-steps in it. Microtonal
music is music that explores those "tones" that are between our traditional
half-steps (1/4 steps, etc...)

Check out the music of Alois Abba (sp?). He experimented with microtonality
by writing pieces for 8 note scales and 34 note scales, etc... In many
cases, he made instruments that could play that. I have heard some of it
recorded and it is really far out. You may start thinking something is in
"major," but then harmonies start to go a bit off-kilter. It is really cool
and you never knew what hit you.

--Ben

Benjamin Maas
Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
Los Angeles, CA
benmaas@-----.com
http://www.fifthcircle.com

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