JOY YANG__杨洋
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  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
    • Interdisciplinary
    • Genre-Specific
    • Piano
    • Theremin
    • Voice & Songwriting
    • Beat-Making
    • Composing
  • Live Events
  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Digital Consulting
  • Modeling
  • Releases & Reviews
    • Kuroshio CD
    • Beat Packs
  • Blog
  • Contact & Press Kit
JOY YANG__杨洋

Theremin and Production Week 6 #inspiration #perspiration

3/30/2017

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​ After seeing Tennyson last week @ the Hudson Ballroom, Sydney, I was left feeling so inspired and re-energised. They were absolutely amazing.

However, on Monday, at Sound Lab, I was feeling quite stuck. Perhaps this was due just having been exposed to such great music and feeling a sense of incompetence and disdain for everything that I have created so far. I felt a lack of motivation to work on my music and wanted to start over.

In this tricky situation, I asked for some advice and gave my track that I had been working on a break this week, and shifted my focus.
  • I recorded the theremin. I also did an arrangement view recording of my track for SL.
  • I spoke to A about using a low pass filter and delay.
  • I also experimented more with sounds.
  • I spoke to some people about the theremin gig and they are keen to come. I am feeling more positive about the Theremin. 
Here are some of my effects (Komplete): 
Something interesting to note, is that I found the tuner on Guitar Rig. Previously I had mostly relied on my perfect/absolute pitch (as well as visual/spatial memory). Although it was interesting to be able to see which note I was playing, it ended up causing more anxiety than being helpful.

​The theremin is so sensitive that to be able to hold the exact pitch without shifting a little is very difficult, and watching the scale made me more worried. I think I may try this again later when I have improved, in order to test my pitch accuracy and stability.

Watch my progress video:
Playing with textures and effects.

Listen to the track on soundcloud here:
x Joy
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Theremin Week 5 #visions

3/23/2017

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On April 7, I will potentially be performing Theremin at a studio in Marrickville.

Things to do before then include:
  • Sourcing a Theremin
  • Compiling a set
  • Research more videos of other people playing Theremin
  • Research more about theremin playing techniques
  • Ask A for help

Things I am considering:
  • Having a more relaxed technique (e.g. shoulders)

Progress this week included:
  • Recording the theremin and creating effects (with Ableton Live)
  • In the second session, I focused more on my technique

Current setup:
I am now running through the PA with a DI box, instead of an Amp. This works well with the new portable effects on my laptop.
Watch my progress video:
x Joy
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Theremin Week 4 #goals

3/16/2017

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And we are making progress...

This week I have been working on my face. Yes, using the reflection in the recording studio to see how I can improve the visual element of my playing. One of the great things I learnt in America whilst studying under the guidance of Dr. P in Advanced Wind Band Conducting and Rehearsal Strategies, was the importance of one's facial expressions. Nonetheless, it's very difficult (especially when I am focusing so hard on many other things). This shows a greater need for individual attention and practice in this area.

I received helpful feedback from S about the effectiveness of suddenly approaching a note with confidence (rather than easing into it and sliding as I was previously doing). Some links have been drawn between the theremin and the electric guitar.

I also worked on the pentatonic and whole tone scale during my practice, which sounds good with many of my original tracks.

Some things to try for next time:
  • linking up the Theremin and recording it into Ableton in order to make my own portable effects rack. This way I can use any amp and have a variety of pre-made effects (at home) to bring with me.
  • Many thoughts discussed in the video tutorial/practice session.

Current settings on the amp:
Picture
Watch my progress video:
x Joy

P.S. Confirmed that I will be working with a friend who is a VJ for my Sound Lab performance.
​Woo!! June 2nd @ 6pm Io Myers, UNSW. See you there :)
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Theremin Week 3 #oddweek

3/9/2017

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Improvements are only natural over time. Slowing down, writing and reflecting on our progress, as well as evaluating is such a crucial part of learning and improvement. 
This is how I feel about my playing...
More rigorous practice today in an attempt to develop a more stable technique.
  • Scales
  • Intervals
  • Different articulation 
  • Sliding
  • Arpeggios

For next time:
  • Prepare by watching videos and finding good tutorials to try out different techniques in different situations
  • Try with more originals and sound effects

I'm excited to see what will happen next. Stay tuned ;) 

Current settings:
Watch my progress videos:
​Developing technique// Playing with one of my original tracks// Solo - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Developing a routine for technique // Playing with two of my original tracks (sneak preview) // surprise @ the end
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Theremin Week #2

3/1/2017

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After an amazing performance by Hikashu last night @ The Foundry 616, I was inspired to try out some new techniques on the theremin. 
​​
Here's a short example:
 Some of these include:
  • Using the space around the theremin (e.g. discovering the 'circle' - perhaps same note on the radius around the antenna, as well as above and below - different tone colour)
  • Different hand motions and techniques as well as speed
  • Using perhaps the microphone stand or something in the center/as a measuring point/distance
  • Thinking of perhaps measuring out the semitones and drawing concentric circles on a piece of paper to be placed on the theremin (wooden part)
  • Using objects to create sounds (e.g. tried with a card- it works to create dynamic fluctuations in the left hand)

​These are the current settings on the theremin and amp:
Picture
Picture
Picture
Watch my progress videos:
First session of Week 2. Exploring movement and sound. Attempting to play a tune.
Second session this week. This time, playing with one of my original electronic tracks. 

​x Joy
​P.S. I saw Koichi Makigami play the Jew's Harp for the first time last night. Loving the sounds it can make, especially with effects pedals. Check it out here. 

More Hikashu:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMxeFcejfWs
Hikashu Appreciation Society 
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-wild-eclectic-world-of-koichi-makigamis-hikashu-band-by-eyal-hareuveni.php
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