Dave Gerhart “Pitch Drop”

Performances, Video | 0 comments

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHLNDlgfW6I

Pitch Drop (2013) – A Triangle Solo for 2 or more Triangles

The inspiration for Pitch Drop came while I was listening to a program on Radio Lab entitled “Speed.” The first story in the radio program was about the Pitch Drop Experiment that has been taking place at the University of Queensland, Australia since 1927. In the 86 years that the substance pitch (a highly viscous liquid which appears solid) has been “dripping,” no one has ever seen the drop fall and currently researchers are waiting for the ninth drop to occur. As I began to write this piece, the image of researchers waiting to see the drop of pitch fall prompted me to experiment with the sound of water and metal. I recorded over 10 triangles (including 4 of the Living Sounds Triangles) and combined them with water, tam tam, and spriangle samples in order to create the soundscape track that accompanies the soloist.

The piece begins with long, sustained sounds of water, metal, gongs and triangles. I wanted to remove all of the attacks of the triangle and allow the As the piece progresses, it becomes more rhythmic and with the use of pre-composed loops, I was able to layer parts in order to create a fuller overall sound. By the time the piece ends, it should feel as though you are walking through a Grand Father Clock store at the moment when all the clocks are beginning to chime.

Vocals on the accompaniment track were graciously performed by Beth Wightwick.

Pitch Drop is published by Living Sound Triangles.

Xylophonist Teddy Brown

Performances, Video, Xylophone | 0 comments

Last week, I featured Michel the tap dancing xylophonist. This week, I wanted to share the Teddy Brown video. He was an American entertainer who spent the latter part of his life performing in Britain. He was born Abraham Himmelbrand in 1900, and first played in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, but moved to the field of popular music in the 1920s. Be sure to read the “more info” on the YouTube page for more information.

Dancing Xylophonist

Performances, Video, Xylophone | 0 comments

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4oi7GR2D1s

This video features “Michel, America’s most famous Dancing Xylophonist (1931). According to the YouTube description, this video is “various shots of Michel, playing the xylophone while he tap dances to the tune of ‘The One I Love.’ He also turns a cartwheel along the length of his xylophone. Michael then plays “Goodnight Sweetheart’ while tapping, finishing with a back flip.”

For more historic films, all searchable on YouTube, click here.

Thanks to William Moersch for sharing this video on FaceBook.

Thom Hasenpflug’s “Smoke and Mirrors”

DrumChattr Archive, Performances, Video | 0 comments

I still remember the first time I performed Bicksa during my undergrad. At that point in my career, it was largest piece I had ever set up and at first, I hated it. But, after many rehearsals and late nights, I realized what a great piece it was! Bicksa was written by Thom Hasenpflug. I have been fortunate to get to know Thom and his music over the years and I happy to finally spread the news about his new piece, Smoke and Mirrors. The piece was premiered on last week by the Ensemble Schlagwerk Wien, directed by Nebojsa J Zivkovic. This post features the video of the dress rehearsal. If you don’t know Thom’s music, please go to his website and check out his pieces.

Originally posted on DrumChattr on May 13, 2014 by Dave Gerhart.

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