Saturday, April 15, 2023

A Sampling of Performance Guidance in my Compositions for Euphonium and Tuba


Microtonal Sputter - a technique in which the tubist produces staccato bursts of microtonal pitches, creating a fragmented and percussive effect.

Ethereal Glottal Flutter - a technique that involves rapid, delicate flutters of the glottis while playing a note, producing a ghostly and airy timbre.

Subharmonic Rumble: A technique where the tubist uses subharmonics to create a rumbling, deep timbre.

Metaphysical Scoop - a technique that involves sliding from below the pitch, gradually ascending to a note in a way that creates a sense of metaphysical ascent.

Velar Flutter - A technique where the tongue is rapidly vibrated against the velum (soft palate), producing a fluttering sound.

Synergistic Trill - a technique that involves playing a trill while simultaneously altering the timbre and dynamic of the notes, creating a complex and harmonically rich texture.

Naessian spectral subtraction: A technique where the tubist removes certain spectral components of a sound to create a stripped-down, minimalist timbre.

Dysphoric Flutter-Tongue - a technique that involves flutter-tonguing with a dysphoric and melancholic expression, producing a sense of emotional tension.

Polyrhythmic Pulsation - a technique that involves playing notes with a pulsing, polyrhythmic articulation, creating a sense of rhythmic complexity.

Posterior Pharyngeal Trill - A technique where the tongue rapidly vibrates against the posterior pharyngeal wall, producing a trilling effect.

Lateral Flap - A technique where the tongue is used to create a rapid flapping sound against the sides of the mouth.

Heterophonic Strain - a technique that involves playing notes with a strained and slightly discordant articulation, creating a sense of heterophony.

Divergent Staccato - a technique that involves playing staccato notes in a divergent pattern, creating a sense of spatial and textural complexity.

Cryptic Subtone - a technique that involves playing a subtone with a cryptic and mysterious articulation, creating a sense of ambiguity and enigma.

Disjunctive Stutter - a technique that involves stuttering and pausing between notes in a disjunctive and fragmented manner, creating a sense of rhythmic tension.

Unstable Glissando - a technique that involves playing a glissando with an unstable and unpredictable articulation, creating a sense of instability and uncertainty.

Liminal Pizzicato - a technique that involves playing pizzicato notes with a liminal and ghostly articulation, creating a sense of otherworldliness.

Obfuscated Plunger - a technique that involves using a plunger mute with an obfuscated and veiled articulation, creating a sense of obscured and hidden expression.

Existential vibrato: A profound and searching technique that conveys the essence of being through a subtle and nuanced trembling of the sound.

Nihilistic pizzicato: A harsh and abrasive technique that emphasizes the emptiness and futility of each note, producing a stark and biting sound.

Utilitarian marcato: A forceful and efficient technique that emphasizes the functional aspects of each note, creating a bold and precise sound.

Absurdist growl: A bizarre and unconventional technique that involves a deep and guttural sound, expressing a sense of confusion and absurdity.

Empathetic mordent: A delicate and compassionate technique that involves a quick and subtle ornamentation of each note, expressing a sense of understanding and connection.

Dialectical sforzando: A dynamic and forceful technique that involves a sudden and sharp emphasis on each note, conveying a sense of opposition and struggle.

Ecosonic Articulation - This technique draws inspiration from the deep ecology philosophy of Arne Naess, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things. The performer is encouraged to produce sounds that evoke the organic rhythms and patterns of nature, allowing the tuba to become a conduit for environmental expression.

Granular Accentuation - This technique is heavily influenced by the music of Brian Ferneyhough and his use of complex rhythmic structures. The performer is instructed to articulate each note in a granular fashion, with minute differences in pressure and duration creating a highly detailed and textured sonic landscape.

Disjunctive Staccato - This technique emphasizes the stark contrasts between notes, with the performer using a sharp, percussive articulation to create a sense of disjointedness and fragmentation.

Recursive Trill - Inspired by the recursive processes found in nature, this technique involves creating a trill that builds upon itself in a self-similar pattern, creating a complex, evolving texture.

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