abstract objects
The idea of abstract objects is a theory on the existence of non-physical items and how our minds operate in order to perceive them. With concrete objects they exist in a physical sense. We can see the object and touch the object to learn about it. We do not have these same abilities with an abstract object, such as the idea of numbers. We know that numbers exist but we have no ability to physically see them or touch them. Relating this idea to music, I wanted to experiment with this idea of time signatures as abstract objects. Every musician knows what time signatures are and how to use them, but there is no physical existence. With this in mind, I’ve written a piece that places each performer in their own “time signature” through the piece, using variations of 4, 5, 6, and 7. The large structure is created using the opening chord of deskbells, having each performer strike their respective notes within the chord on each “downbeat” of their individual time signatures. From the first chord it takes 420 beats to complete a full cycle and have that same chord struck again. For ease of performance purposes, the piece was later place into a single time signature.
The idea of abstract objects is a theory on the existence of non-physical items and how our minds operate in order to perceive them. With concrete objects they exist in a physical sense. We can see the object and touch the object to learn about it. We do not have these same abilities with an abstract object, such as the idea of numbers. We know that numbers exist but we have no ability to physically see them or touch them. Relating this idea to music, I wanted to experiment with this idea of time signatures as abstract objects. Every musician knows what time signatures are and how to use them, but there is no physical existence. With this in mind, I’ve written a piece that places each performer in their own “time signature” through the piece, using variations of 4, 5, 6, and 7. The large structure is created using the opening chord of deskbells, having each performer strike their respective notes within the chord on each “downbeat” of their individual time signatures. From the first chord it takes 420 beats to complete a full cycle and have that same chord struck again. For ease of performance purposes, the piece was later place into a single time signature.
The idea of abstract objects is a theory on the existence of non-physical items and how our minds operate in order to perceive them. With concrete objects they exist in a physical sense. We can see the object and touch the object to learn about it. We do not have these same abilities with an abstract object, such as the idea of numbers. We know that numbers exist but we have no ability to physically see them or touch them. Relating this idea to music, I wanted to experiment with this idea of time signatures as abstract objects. Every musician knows what time signatures are and how to use them, but there is no physical existence. With this in mind, I’ve written a piece that places each performer in their own “time signature” through the piece, using variations of 4, 5, 6, and 7. The large structure is created using the opening chord of deskbells, having each performer strike their respective notes within the chord on each “downbeat” of their individual time signatures. From the first chord it takes 420 beats to complete a full cycle and have that same chord struck again. For ease of performance purposes, the piece was later place into a single time signature.