 Hubcap
ritual 12
The 1st in a series of original works by Eric
Stuer utilizing found sounds and homemade instruments..
Listen to Hubcap Ritual
12 (Real Audio)
Download the MP3(better
sound)
about the hubcap
This entire piece was made using only this hubcap,
with the exception of an "om" which i sang in once, looped,
then took down an octave so i'd sound 12 feet tall instead of 6. Technically
it's shaped like a frame drum, with a diameter greater than it's depth.
It's easy to play as a tar, or on the leg, doumbek style, or between the
knees like bongo drums. The facets in the design, along with accidental
dents, give the player access to various pitches , mostly overtones of
the fundamental which is available from the boss in the center.
more
about the hubcap
about the recording
Recording and compositional tools included Sound
Forge and ACID Pro by Sonic Foundry
ACID recording software allows
one to raise and lower the pitch without altering the timing or other
characteristics of an event. This gave me the luxury of taking the hubcap
down an octave for the bass part, and way up for a sort of electronic
sound that floats atmoshpherically through the mix in a couple of spots,
and so on.
I experimented a bit, but I had to be careful,
because when you start changing pitches in ACID it (understandably) uses
the frequencies associated with modern (western) equal temperament, and
this clearly is NOT an equal temperament hubcap. One
interval I originally heard as roughly an octave was after all between
a major seventh and an octave, and some of the other intervals seem to
be quite elusive versions of their diatonic counterparts. When using various
roots, the overtones inherent in the instrument quickly became unmanageably
complicated. In the end I only transposed parts by an octave or a perfect
fifth, to keep the already strange tuning from running amok.
Once I began to develop the piece, there seemed
to be so much thematic material that it was evident that I could proceed
in various ways. I began scratch copies, many takes, each different, and
this was number 12 out of 15 or so different files, hence the name, hubcap
ritual 12. It is respectfully dedicated to the many musician friends I
have made worldwide since coming online.
All the techniques used in #12 are hands only,
but the hubcap is also quite responsive to various beaters and sticks..We
may eventually post some of the other 14 hubcap rituals as well, when
they are ready..
If there is interest, I will post more on this
piece, including samples of the individual parts for looping purposes..ACID
users, please write me. I love this new software..
write
me
STU
The next piece is a Water Ritual,
with 5 gallon plastic bottles, and a sample of the
water slapping of the baka forest people. ...
©2002 Eric Stuer...
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
