Composing for Spaces & Places

For this task we were assigned to compose for another area outside of university. I decided to write for my train journey from home to uni considering the space and time it was set. For this composition I, before writing the music, I decided to record the space I was in and all I could hear in the recording is the movement of the train, the sound of the other trains passing by and some chatter. During the time it was already 8pm and already dark, as it is moving into winter with the signs of early nights. The instruments I have considered to use the recording itself, Bass, Organ, Marimba and a Choir. The recording is used to provide the feeling of actually being in the train, the organ is used to emphasise the radiator sound editing in the train, Marimbas used to mimic the wheels "chugging" along the tracks and the choir to create an imaginary conversation between each other. The Bass, on the other hand, is used as a melodic idea for the atmosphere and time it was set, dark a...

For the third composition task, the class had to decide what space and place they will next compose that is not in the campus of the university but outside. For this task, I have chosen the Deep located in Hull city. The Deep consists of marine life and habitats of some insects. I explored the area for 2 hours to listen closely to the surroundings and payed attention to any specific sounds which references the aquarium. For this composition task I have used a flute and two other synthesisers with effects such as echo and modulation. The idea I want to get across with this music is how peaceful it is to be underwater. To listen to my composition  Click here Here are some videos I took while at the museum as well

For my final composition, I will compose my music for the train in the museum, specifically how the rails were built by workers. I have a few ideas on which instruments I want to use and they are an electric guitar, a male choir and a few other non-instruments such as pots and pans. The electric guitar will be used to provide harmonics and to create train noises, as for the choir I depict an idea that they will "hmm" chords representing the men working at the rails. Currently, the pots and pans are a 'maybe' to create percussive sounds to create the imagery of rocks being mined.

For this task, I was assigned to create another piece for the same area (Arts Cafe) but to be written in a different concept. This time I focused on what kind of aura the cafe radiates. To do this I sat in the cafe on different days for 2 hours. In total I spent about 6 hours trying to think of an idea for the composition while in the cafe. What I wanted to do for this composition was to use a saxophone, but instead of just the saxophone I considered using electronic composition ideas to change the timbre and outcome. I played around with the options I had and the ad-ins I used are echo and microphaser to allow the sound to change pitch during the echo. If this were to be performed I would consider having two speakers, one on opposite sides of the room and the performer in the middle of the room, this way the sound will emit in every direction like an aura. Click the link below to listen to my Composition https://sites.google.com/site/composingforspaceandplaces/home/composition-task/...

My first composition task for this involves writing a 2 minute composition for any preferred space in the University. I was uncertain for which area I should have chosen but in the end I have decided to put my two choices into one. The areas I have chosen is the Arts Cafe and the Union shop. This composition involves two harpists playing in the centre of the room. The idea for this piece is the business in these areas, as the room gets populated by students the lower and louder the piece is, but as time goes on the less students in the room the lighter the notes and higher pitched compared to the busy section. Click the link below to listen to my composition Composition Task 1

This museum had a range of historical forms of transportation most being in between the 1900's to the 2000's. It displayed Bicycles, Carriages, people working on the railway for trains, local buses, steam cars and a boat which was used to catch cod during the cod wars. What I found interesting was the design of the bicycles and how it evolved to the bicycles we have now. On the other hand, what did catch my eye was a sleigh they displayed. According to the museum the sleigh was only owned by the rich people to use around their big gardens, but now anyone can buy a sleigh for a cheaper and simple design. There was also two vintage shops, one being a sweet and bread shop and the other being a pharmacy. As you walk into the museum, you can also view a plane hanging from the ceiling which is to represent the first woman to fly a plane (Amy Johnson) solo from England all the way to Australia. From this visit, I am currently undecided for what to compose f...