Re: Integrity of Performance and the Sample

["Jon Wagner" <jondrums@hotmail.com>]

>But then I took it one step further: I began using my acoustic bass guitar
>more for solo/loop stuff, and began playing the body of the bass as a
>percussion instrument and making loops in real time with that.  Now I
>prepare the bass with aligator clips for faux gamelan type sounds, use
>chopsticks, different muting techniques, and, of course, sound processing 
>to alter the timbres.

Max, others:
  I have found myself in exactly the oposite position!  I am a 
drummer/percussionist trying to find ways to include melodies and 
harmonies 
in my performance.  I am thouroughly opposed to using prerecorded 
samples/loops because I passionately believe that live performance is 
incredible powerful.  So I find myself in the position of wishing for more 
melodic possibilities using percussion.  I am in conflict between my 
minamalist nature and my wish for more molodic possibilities, which keeps 
me 
from going out and buying a marimba or similar.  By minimalist, I mean I 
don't believe in thinking that I need to go buy something new so that I 
can 
make _good_ music.  I believe that I can make music with whatever I have 
at 
the moment.  So I have been working on techniques to get tones out of my 
drums.  I have also been trying to (gasp!) sing, chant, and use body music 
(I never thought I had even a passable voice, but I'm finding ways to use 
it).
  I would love to hear ideas that other people have in this vein.  Max: 
you 
might try some ideas that have worked for me in the past - actually use 
your 
body to make rhythms.  Stomp your feet, clap your hands, slap your knees, 
whistle, hum, and make farting noises under your armpit....  Of course 
this 
requires a microphone, but think of the possibilities.  I think this sort 
of 
thing could really endear you to the audience because these are things 
everyone can do.  Plus you can practice these techniques anywhere!
bye-
jon

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