Re: Articles on Live Looping as Compositional Tool

[andy butler <akbutler@tiscali.co.uk>]

Warren Sirota wrote:
> Hi Kayla,
> 
> I don't have any links for you, but I would encourage you to explore, as 
> part of your thesis, the fact that loop-based composition is a new form 
> of structure for music, much like song form or sonata form (although 
> maybe the latter is kind of a weak analogy).

I think it's quite a strong analogy once you start using a looping device
which is capable of doing "slice'n'dice" editing, or using
techniques that let you copy one loop onto another with speed change 
and reverse.

Interestingly, I think it's the first time that the instrument
allows the player to physically interact with the form of the music,
while still working within the limitations on form which
are imposed by the instrument itself.
(as long as we can assume the live looping device to be an instrument).
As soon as musicians try to get past the limitation of simply building
up layers they find their choices restricted by the technology, but 
also find it's possible to experiment with the form in real time. 


Perhaps an odd concept, but compare with the way that in a Villa Lobos 
Etude
the physical nature of the guitar places restrictions on the harmony, and
how that very much adds to the musical result.

andy butler   




> People are wired to 
> recognize repetition, and looping lends not just density but also 
> structure to free-form spontaneous composition. Maybe most of us start 
> in on this road through a desire to be a kind of "one-person-band" for 
> whatever reasons, but we discover that looping has a profound effect on 
> the type of music we make and doesn't just fill in the gaps.
> 
> Of course, some of us may more determinedly than others force looping 
> into a preconceived framework in order to achieve specific goals, but i 
> suspect that more of us adapt the framework to the Loop.
> 
> Warren
> 

>