Techno Blade
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For: concert band and electronic audio track Style: EDM (electronic dance music) groove Duration: 3 minutes Grade: 2 Commissioned by N-BEAM 
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PERUSAL SCORE
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Performed May 1, 2018 in Van Wert OH at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center by the Van Wert High School Symphonic Band, Robert H. Sloan conductor.
PERFORMANCE AUDIO TRACK
Program Note
A recent hobby I have taken up is knife throwing. I was pleasantly surprised to find that throwing knives make some really intriguing sounds as they spin through the air and thud into the target, or glance off the target in the case of a miss! The sounds are percussive, yet unusual, almost otherworldly, as if they might be borrowed from an alien drum machine. When you combine this with the fact that Jim Mobley, the head commissioner, is a percussionist, located right outside Detroit, which is the birthplace of techno music, it was clear to me that this piece should be inspired by electronic dance music (EDM) while incorporating sounds from my recordings of throwing knives.
At several moments in this work, all the band members are asked to be percussionists by playing on the metal around them, namely their music stand. (Sorry, I couldn’t get permission to have the performers play throwing knives on stage!) Sounds in the electronic track come from me both making and throwing my own set of knives. I recorded and processed the sounds of cutting, grinding, and sanding the steel and then, of course, the sounds of “playing” with the finished knives. The melodies and harmonies found throughout the piece are all derived from words and numbers associated with knife throwing. I would like to thank the students from Brownstown Middle School Band who came up with the perfect title for this piece, “Techno Blade.”
A recent hobby I have taken up is knife throwing. I was pleasantly surprised to find that throwing knives make some really intriguing sounds as they spin through the air and thud into the target, or glance off the target in the case of a miss! The sounds are percussive, yet unusual, almost otherworldly, as if they might be borrowed from an alien drum machine. When you combine this with the fact that Jim Mobley, the head commissioner, is a percussionist, located right outside Detroit, which is the birthplace of techno music, it was clear to me that this piece should be inspired by electronic dance music (EDM) while incorporating sounds from my recordings of throwing knives.
At several moments in this work, all the band members are asked to be percussionists by playing on the metal around them, namely their music stand. (Sorry, I couldn’t get permission to have the performers play throwing knives on stage!) Sounds in the electronic track come from me both making and throwing my own set of knives. I recorded and processed the sounds of cutting, grinding, and sanding the steel and then, of course, the sounds of “playing” with the finished knives. The melodies and harmonies found throughout the piece are all derived from words and numbers associated with knife throwing. I would like to thank the students from Brownstown Middle School Band who came up with the perfect title for this piece, “Techno Blade.”
My personal collection of throwing knives and spikes, the majority of which I’ve made myself.
The large set of three knives (second from the left) is the set which was recorded for this piece.
The large set of three knives (second from the left) is the set which was recorded for this piece.
DEMO FOR HOW TO PLAY ON MUSIC STAND
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Jim Mobley (N-BEAM organizer and head commissioner) chats with Alex Shapiro, Daniel Montoya and myself at Midwest about the project. Some very funny moments! |
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Some video footage from my audio recording session - you'll hear the great sounds of the knives when they do and don't connect with the targets!
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PURCHASE
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Hard copy option includes free shipping to continental USA.
Purchase of score and parts will also include a link to download the performance audio track.
Purchase of score and parts will also include a link to download the performance audio track.
