it teaches us that it doesn't exist (2016)

commissioned by percussionist Jeremy Johnston

it teaches us that it doesn’t exist creates an audio feedback loop by attaching a transducer to a suspended cymbal. The transducer agitates the cymbal with whatever audio signal is coming in through the microphone, which, when placed over the cymbal amplifies the sounds of the cymbal, agitating it further, creating a positive feedback loop. Moving the microphone over different parts of the cymbal and at different distances and angles creates different feedback tones and dynamics. While it is difficult to reproduce exact pitches with this instrument, the score directs patterns of repetition, variation, timing, dynamics, gesture, and texture.

full score

“Everything is repeated, in a circle. History is a master because it teaches us that it doesn’t exist. It’s the permutations that matter.”
-Umberto Eco from Foucault’s Pendulum