Woodwind Extension Through the Systematic Use of Microtonality and Electronic Manipulation of the Instrument
Seán Mac Erlaine · Arrow - TU Dublin (Technological University Dublin) · 2010
This research questions how the expressive range of the saxophone / bass clarinet can be extended in new ways by employing both a systematic use of microtonality and electronic manipulation of the instrument. The use of digital signal processing (DSP) is well advanced among certain music practitioners, most notably electric guitarists, extending that instrument’s expressive powers considerably. Woodwind instrumentalists have a huge unexplored potential to engage with new technologies, furthering the range, polyphonic voicings, loops, reverbs and general signal manipulation. The marraige of these two disciplines with conventional woodwind practice greatly deepens the expressive range of the instrument while offering many new performance and compositional opportunities. Similarily a practice-based investigation into the use of DSP technology with respect to woodwinds will form part of the research process. This research will explore the application of guitar effects processors, MIDI controllers, MAX/ MSP algorithms, electronic wind instruments, multi-touch controllers and the emerging technologies using Open Sound Control. The research will present the findings with relevance to practising instrumentalists.