I must admit, it has been a while since I last updated this blog. However, I have plenty of gems hidden away ready to be shared. As it has almost been a year, we will be revisiting the journey it took to get to where I am now. There are so many exciting projects currently in progress, I can't wait to catch you up…!

During this mid-sem break, I was able to book a long session on Monday in the recording studio.

I worked on refining my project (for sound lab), practising more looping, updating this blog and technical practice.
On Wednesday we had a very exciting trio rehearsal.
This involved N (projection mapping) and V (dance).
Our performance concept is developing well.

I decided to share some of what I've been up to on social media.
I have been able to find a better setup and become faster at it.

Things to do

• Look into getting my own equipment (for future non-uni related performances)
• Organise more rehearsals with the trio, and try out more ideas

Check out our video here:

This week led up to Good Friday.

I worked on looping, and played for a video and photoshoot involving the theremin.
I worked mostly on solo theremin.

Monday at Sound Lab was productive.

I found out on Wednesday that the gig next Friday has been postponed. It was originally going to be in a studio in Marrickville. We had a set with a VJ, dancer from Sydney Dance Company, and myself. We will likely host our own one later independently. I'm looking forward to working on our trio project next week. 

Watch my progress video here:

Experimenting with looping, soundscapes, textures and effects.
​​
x Joy

I had a listen to some of my music again on the weekend and I am now feeling a bit more positive. There is so much that sometimes I forget what I have recorded or made. At the moment I am working on making a theremin beat (thanks N for the idea). A suggested mixing the theremin drums I made with normal drums.

Things to do:

• Get onto mixing and mastering- watch videos
• Also loop pedal/equiment needed for live
• Refine my track for Sound lab- components and flow
• Conceptualise my live performance
• Send theremin loop to M in USA  for rapping
• Use limiters

Track specific goals:

• For single line- use thick analog synth- sound card- record
• Soft1 warm- add reverb
• Silk horns- ask trumpet player or convolution reverb
• Bass- low note then emerge or no chords
• Trumpet libraries/operator- smoother entry & tone. Make it less bright- automate for later
• Arrangement view- record brass
• Returns- sends// mutiple

Reflections from my Wednesday session:

• Theremin feels better when lower at belly-button height
• Experimented with midi mapping
• Condensed sounds- into 2 guitar rig files- easier to transition and combine sounds.
• Going to try and midi map the track too for smoother performance.
• Almost like having diff instruments/voices
• Also mapped effects

Friday session

• Experimented with looping
• How to undo and clear loops
• One with ephemeral sounds, one with distortion
• Also a better setup for theremin rehearsal (pads on left side)

Some tips from A:

• Can crescendo to desired note
• Use different movements with tuning space
• Have a conceptual flow of the piece and map it. E.g. brass, vocals distort/change- filter to blend in , theremin emerge so the theremin is not in the same space as brass and vocals (also a tip from S).​

x Joy ​

​ 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

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

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:

Watch my progress video:

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

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:

• 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:

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