05/26/2014 (Solo Improvisation) Breathing tones with stop-tonguing.

Neil Welch, Continuous Resonance Project

Date: 05/26/2014

Location: Home studio in Clinton, WA (Whidbey Island)

Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Performed Acoustically

Notes:

This morning I worked with forced air which flowed through the horn with the omission of any tempered pitches.  I then decided to use a harmon mute inside by bell to see if I could achieve crisper breath tones.  After working with this for some time, I began exploring the median point between breathing textures and pitched overtones, the sound of which could be pulled out by pushing just beyond the limits of the breath-only approach.  I then began using stop-tonging to pull out harsher, but fuller single pitches that thumped out at a much higher volume.

The image “Handmade Stereopticon Slide” (1918-19) accompanying today’s post by Marcel Duchamp.

05/18/2014 (Continuous Resonance Solo Improvisation)

Neil Welch, Continuous Resonance Project
Date: 05/18/2014
Location: My cabin, near the town of Index, WA.
Instrument: Tenor saxophone
Performed Acoustically

Notes:

I spent the day up at my cabin, my first trip up since the snow melt. Despite some off and on rain, I wanted to spend my time outdoors. I got a fire going in the fire ring and managed to keep it hot enough to withstand periods of heavy rain. Today’s improvisation was recorded after a 20 minute rainfall, immediately after the clouds broke and the sun came out. I recorded about 10 feet from the fire ring, and turned the gain up high in order to capture the crackle of the fire and the residual rain dripping onto the leaves above me. 

The image accompanying today’s post is an image taken near Mt. Index, in the North Cascade range. Photo by Charles Buell.

05/17/2014 (Continuous Resonance Solo Improvisation)

Neil Welch, Continuous Resonance Project

Date: 05/17/2014

Location: Home studio in Clinton, WA (Whidbey Island)

Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Performed Acoustically

Notes:

During this improvisation, I placed a harmon mute inside the bell, allowing it rattled as I clacked against the keys.  I also used a new technique during this piece, which included knocking my knuckles against the side and rim of the bell, or alternating knocking while striking the body of the horn with the tips of my fingers.

The image (1947) accompanying today’s post by Clyfford Still.

05/16/2014 (Continuous Resonance Solo Improvisation)

Neil Welch, Continuous Resonance Project

Date: 05/16/2014

Location: Home studio in Clinton, WA (Whidbey Island)

Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Performed Acoustically

Notes:

The image “Tear of elation at a liminal moment” (2013) accompanying today’s post byRose-Lynn Fisher.  This picture is one in a series showing various ear drops under a microscope.

05/12/2014 (Continuous Resonance Solo Improvisation)

Neil Welch, Continuous Resonance Project

Date: 05/12/2014

Location: Home studio in Clinton, WA (Whidbey Island)

Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Performed Acoustically

Notes:

The image “Empirical Construction, Istanbul” (2003) accompanying today’s post by Julie Mehretu.