Abyeccin | memory_topographies

Megaphone, Percussion, Cello and Live Electronics

for Pamplemousse Ensemble
Omar Fraire - 2016

abyeccin_MemoryTopographies
Performance Notes
Metronome marking = 120. Each space is a time unit.
Events can occur at an exact synchronization point when they are crossed by the vertical
lines. Events in the middle space can occur proportionally to the space where they are.
Horizontal lines after note heads mean prolongation of the sound. They change its shape
in order to clarify a transformation in timbre.
Live Electronics:
A Max/Msp process is triggered trough midi foot controllers by each performer. The
dotted line shows the duration of the event. The play and stop figures mean pressing the
pedal for starting and ending the process, respectively.
Amplification:
Minimum distortion amplif ication should be applied to percussion and cello in order to
balance subtle and detailed dynamics and to blend timbe with megaphone.
Megaphone:
A device with handheld mic and siren is required.
The volume should be always up to the top while the performer
controls the dynamics by the proximity of her/his mouth to the mic.
Notation:

Device itself:

On and off button on the handheld

mic. The note head turns on and off
the mic. A line means the mic should
be held on during its length
Feedback sound is also notated here.
In this line the sounds produced by the
voice and the mouth are notated. The
horizontal line is the time extension of
the sound.

Feedback sound approaching the mic to the horn.

5 Turning on/off the handheld mic.

Voice/mouth (always through the megaphone):

M Kissing noise.

h Inhale through the mouth.

5

Saliva sound. Slurp saliva continuously, achieving a frying sound.

Ordinary spoken sound.

[ah, k, t, s, sh] Sounds of letters pronounced in English.

Percussion:
Snare I Upside-down always. With an E-Bow on the snares.
Snare II modo ordinario.
Ratchet A two legs one is preferred. Should be attached to one snare drum.
A Polyethylene sheet .
Tension of the snares should be controlled via the
Drumsticks and Brushes.
snare strainer or the knob. The upper the line, the
tighten the snares
Notation:
The E-Bow should be pla ced over the
snares, taking at least 4 of them in its middle
groove.
It should be adjusted so you can get higher
sounds when the tension is high and
unstable rumblingwhen snares are loose.

Snare I

The upper line means very fast spin of the

ratchet. The lower line the slower the
motion, 60 bpm ca.

Scratch with the polyethylene sheet.

5 Turning on the E-bow.

Snare II

Rubbing the head in circular motion in order to get a continuous white

noise sound. Always with brushes.

Rubbing the head with tremolo. Always with brushes.
Rim Shot with drumsticks.

Granular sound. Press the brush over the head and squeeze it
with fingers. Twist the brush for achieving the sound with one hand.

Growling. In a vertical position, the tip of the stick is placed against the head. Grip the stick
H from the top and slowly move your fingers with friction toward the tip.

Violoncello
Notation:
Upper staff is used to notate the right hand bow position.
The lower line means extreme sul tasto, right where the
body of the instrument ends. The upper line is right on
the bridge. The line indicates continuous movement from
one position to another.

Bartok pizzicato.

Left hand harmonic pressure. Its

placement does not necessarily
correspond to a harmonic sound.

Each stem means a change in the

bow direction. Unless otherwise
indicated.

White noise sound on the bridge.

Brushing motion of the bow

Bouncing the bow, producing

sounds as short as possible. with
one bow strike.

Short sounds without jet indicated.

First with several bow changes and
then with one bow strike.

Damp the string with left hand. No

harmonic or pithed sound
production. Normal pressure on
bow, non flautato.

Two Bows Technique:

A second bow is placed over the fingerboard. Between II and III string.
The left hand holds it firmly against the fingerboard.
The tip of the bow should be stuck at the bridge.
The right hand bow pla ys on the left bow, either on the hair or on the
wood stick. The placement and/or movement of the right hand bow is
indicated with a line on the upper staff.
A little over normal pressure is required to achieve a sound between
low frequency and regular beating should be produced, in the case of
bowing sul legno. For sul crine case, normal bow pressure is required.

Ecras. Overpressure.
No
pitched
sound
distinguishable.

Flautato. Soft pressure of the bow.

Horizontal arrows mean

gradual
transformation from one state to another