09/01/2014 (Continuous Resonance Improvisation--with a hair dryer)

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Neil Welch, Continuous Resonance Project
Date: 09/01/2014
Location: Home studio in Clinton, WA (Whidbey Island)
Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Notes:

While I practiced this afternoon my wife began using her hair dryer in the bathroom next to my practice space. I had been working on very slight, tiny sounds on my horn and the juxtaposition between this world and that of the driving, mechanical sounds of the hair dryer was extremely jarring. I decided to record an improvisation in the bathroom while my wife continued drying her hair. During this piece I focused on matching some of the upper octave pitches within the overtone rich sounds of the hair dryer.

The image “Terminal City” accompanying today’s post by Roy Arden.

08/30/2014 (Continuous Resonance Solo Improvisation)

Neil Welch, Continuous Resonance Project
Date: 08/30/2014
Location: Home studio in Clinton, WA (Whidbey Island)
Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Notes:

During this improvisation I used two multiphonic fingerings, one with with a distinct C major tonic and the other with a kind of de-tuned E minor shape. My aim was to incorporate these fingerings into a larger, more melodic framework with the C Major scale. As the piece progressed I began incorporating the multiphonic chords more frequently in an attempt to achieve a true balance of melodic and harmonic motion within the improvisation.

The image “Mersin” (2007) accompanying today’s post George Georgiou.

08/22/2014 (Continuous Resonance Solo Project)

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Neil Welch, Continuous Resonance Project
Date: 08/22/2014
Location: Home studio in Clinton, WA (Whidbey Island)
Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Notes:

This improvisation utilized a new tonguing technique I’m working on, which included double tonguing in alternating hits at the tip of my tongue (twice) and the middle (once), back and forth.

The image “Untitled from 88 Maps (2010) by Matt Mullican.