Inspired by Nick Didkovsky’s “Density Trajectory Study II For solo guitar and computer“ I’ve recently been spurned into getting hold of a few alligator clips for the purposes of preparing guitar strings. Placed on modal points of the strings, they exchange the simple harmonics of an unprepared string for beautiful and complex gamelan-like timbres.
Here is a recording of some (sketchy) improvisation, playing a thus-prepared guitar laid on a desk with a pair of pencils.
One Comment
Hello Pete, This sounds are rather lovely, I do favour the low-tech use of alligator clips and pencils (do H4 sound different to 6B?).
Reminded me a little of Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate.
I’m doing a talk in Winchester Tuesday (I don’t know where you live), but if you fancy coming along send me an email and I’ll let you have the details.