Just Intonation and the World of Secret Sounds

A Workshop with David First at FourOneOne, Brooklyn, NY

• Is there a structured vibrational precision to the Universe?
• Have you ever wondered why there are infinite shades of color but only 12 notes?
• Is music theory more about politics & power than physics?
• If microtonality implies infinite shades of pitch, where to begin? Where to end?
• Why can it be said that pitch & rhythm are the same thing?

Composer/multi-instrumentalist David First (The Western Enisphere/Dave’s Waves Sonic Luncheonette/Notekillers) will explore, explain, and demonstrate the basic mathematical constructions behind the overtone series, its recontextualization into various just intonation applications, and show attendees the most practical methods for expressing these sounds on instruments not designed to play them. He will also introduce his concepts of Gestural Improvisation—methods for revealing a full scale of melodic values inside a half-step or even a single note, correlations between poly-rhythmic activity and frequency ratios, the virtuosity of slowness, and the magic of difference/beating tones (or how 1+1=3).

Attendees are requested to bring a laptop and their instruments. Everyone will be given a simple Max/MSP just intonation drone app for use during the workshop and further creative explorations after.

Tickets $25 until May 27th, $30 thereafter.