May Contest: Gossip

[D.H. Miltz]

Hm, may I use, say, some bass, flute, several drums, human voice. Playing one or two notes alternately as long as always only one note sounds?

That has something to do with Schoenberg's "Klangfarbenmelodie".

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klangfarbenmelodie:
[...] splitting a musical line or melody between several instruments, rather than assigning it to just one instrument (or set of instruments), thereby adding color (timbre) and texture to the melodic line

interesting point, it's not in contrast with the rules, IMHO.

Yep. It's not quite what I had in mind, but it seems to fit. Except maybe the drums, unless they're tuned to make part of the melody.

As for a drone note, I think that does go outside the definition given (which is deliberately restrictive), but I wouldn't disqualify an entry over it. Some voters are bothered by theme-stretching (for lack of a better word), some aren't (I am, except when I'm not); either way, it's best left to them.

[kryptonaut]

I'd feel a drone is definitely outside the spirit of the definition. Surely the purpose of having a themed contest is to stretch creativity within the given constraints, rather than to try to stretch the constraints to fit a different style?

The given definition of monophony emphasises melody, specifying that the music should 'consist of only a melodic line', which to my mind would rule out drones.

[pljones]

Yep. It's not quite what I had in mind, but it seems to fit. Except maybe the drums, unless they're tuned to make part of the melody.

My five toms are tuned... but I'd expect proper "tuned" drums, as you say, when it comes to scoring this month. (I won't have time to put anything together unless a rift opens in the space time continuum allowing me to find an extra couple of weeks...)

[oddbod]

Can we presume vocals are okay as long as the vocal melody is the same melody as any accompanying sound?

[D.H. Miltz]

Can we presume vocals are okay as long as the vocal melody is the same melody as any accompanying sound?

As long as the notes are the same (octaves included), yes.

[folderol]

Well, seeing as melody really is my 'thing' this month should be a breeze... yeah right I really must try to get something together though. All work and no play, as they say

P.S.
I don't think having drones would be in the spirit of this challenge, and would say that (time permitting) my voting would reflect that.

[IrionDaRonin]

This will be a difficult one to be honest.

I have two ideas to make. One electronic and another one instrumental (of course asian) and i will choose which one it would be better.

Anyway, i will make a little track, to listen a whole monophonic track it can be really repetitive and i don't want to bore you all hehe.

I have a doubt:

If i use extreme delays in a monophonic line is this consider out of rules? For example, i have a note in C in the first measure, the extreme delay will merge with the next measure which is on G (which it would sound like a fifth chord in some cases, but still it's a monophonic line, so...)

Guitar solos/Piano solos will get an easy challenge this month, i think.

Have a good day

[rp314]

Hm, may I use, say, some bass, flute, several drums, human voice. Playing one or two notes alternately as long as always only one note sounds?

That has something to do with Schoenberg's "Klangfarbenmelodie".

When I saw the theme yesterday I wondered if anyone would gravitate in that direction. Apparently there are at least 3 around here who would..

Although, there are many examples of interesting stuff that sticks to just one instrument.

[Peterhud]

Does the mix have to be monophonic too, or are we allowed to use stereo technology?

[inboxzero]

If i use extreme delays in a monophonic line is this consider out of rules? For example, i have a note in C in the first measure, the extreme delay will merge with the next measure which is on G (which it would sound like a fifth chord in some cases, but still it's a monophonic line, so...)

Guitar solos/Piano solos will get an easy challenge this month, i think.

I did have another idea of using infinite delays to build up the tune, but then thought that would probably be against the rules.

So essentially, I'm possibly left with bass or guitar solo, possibly doubled on something else. I may record the song with a drone and then mute it for rendering out.

Given melody is not my strongest point, I am both excited by the prospect of being forced to write a melody and absolutely petrified by it too....

[gorgorgathgorgorgor]

My whole point earlier was that drones are absolutely part of traditional monophonic music, and therefore are in the spirit of a monophonic comp. In my humble opinion the problem is the defininition used. It limits to the point of eliminating the traditional monophonic forms.

[JJBiener]

If i use extreme delays in a monophonic line is this consider out of rules? For example, i have a note in C in the first measure, the extreme delay will merge with the next measure which is on G (which it would sound like a fifth chord in some cases, but still it's a monophonic line, so...)

I have to think this is outside the spirit of the contest. I do have to admit that this was my first thought as well, but I have come to think better of it.

When I think of monophony, I tend to think of chant, specifically Gregorian. Of course delay/reverb is essential in developing the tone, however you don't hear it being used to simulate harmony.

That's my two cents. I am going to play around with this for the next few days to see what I come up with.

[slartibartfast]

If i use extreme delays in a monophonic line is this consider out of rules? For example, i have a note in C in the first measure, the extreme delay will merge with the next measure which is on G (which it would sound like a fifth chord in some cases, but still it's a monophonic line, so...)

I have to think this is outside the spirit of the contest. I do have to admit that this was my first thought as well, but I have come to think better of it.

When I think of monophony, I tend to think of chant, specifically Gregorian. Of course delay/reverb is essential in developing the tone, however you don't hear it being used to simulate harmony.

That's my two cents. I am going to play around with this for the next few days to see what I come up with.

That would be my view also. Appropriate levels of reverb (a la Gregorian Chant) which blur the transitions between notes would be OK in my book, but any use of delay to create harmony would be against the spirit of this month's contest IMHO. Similar thing with long release tails creating overlapping notes - I would be very careful about using these. Rule of thumb - one sound at a time (with octaves permitted).

I'm calling your two cents, and raising it to three

[folderol]

My whole point earlier was that drones are absolutely part of traditional monophonic music, and therefore are in the spirit of a monophonic comp. In my humble opinion the problem is the defininition used. It limits to the point of eliminating the traditional monophonic forms.

This may well be true (I honestly wouldn't know), but in the spirit of the contest I would say that it could be used to mask an otherwise not very well thought out tune, as can chords and harmonies. If there in nothing except the melody then there really is nowhere to hide that awkward transition, timing gaffe, etc.

[gorgorgathgorgorgor]

My whole point earlier was that drones are absolutely part of traditional monophonic music, and therefore are in the spirit of a monophonic comp. In my humble opinion the problem is the defininition used. It limits to the point of eliminating the traditional monophonic forms.

This may well be true (I honestly wouldn't know), but in the spirit of the contest I would say that it could be used to mask an otherwise not very well thought out tune, as can chords and harmonies. If there in nothing except the melody then there really is nowhere to hide that awkward transition, timing gaffe, etc.

Well I just wanted to make the point. The idea I have for my piece won't involve a drone anyway, so all is well.