12(Notes)

I had always wanted to write a piece for a large ensemble of guitars. But despite the intriguing prospect, finding enough players for a performance of such a piece would be difficult. This difficulty is compounded by several factors. The modern notation of the score, extended techniques and the aleatoric element that plays an important role in the piece are unfamiliar concepts to many of the guitar players that I have access to. Additionally, I choose to use the steel-string guitar played with a plectrum as opposed to the more traditional and familiar nylon-string guitar played with the fingers. Most guitar players that would be somewhat familiar with modern music scores would be uncomfortable playing a steel-string with a 'pick.' So, not inclined at the time to tackle these logistical challenges, I decided to perform the piece myself.

I was able to accomplish the creation of this piece with a notebook computer, recording software/hardware and the kind assistance from composer Aleksander Nowak. For a list of all the equipment that was used click here. I used a technique called Òmulti-trackingÓ to record my performances of this piece. After recording the first guitar part I then recroded the second as I listened to the first through headphones for reference. I repeated this process until I had the twelve guitar parts that make up the whole of the piece.

Not only was I interested in creating music for many guitars with this piece but I was also fascinated with creating music with an aleatoric nature. That is, I wanted not only to create music documentable through performance of a score but I also wanted to create music that would be variable in detail from one performace to another. So, while structure, timing and many other aspects of 12 would be constant, possibilities exist for slightly different rhythmic ideas and slightly variable vertical and horizontal detail. Very, very limited editing and absolutely no mixing was done to the final version so those principles could be adhered to with the most faith possible. The performances were recorded in a quiet and suitable location on April 6th and 7th of 2007 with six tracks perfromed and recorded each day. The first hearing of 12 took place at Comstock Concert Hall on April 13, 2007.