An Improvisation in the Tonality of the Universe - One Glimpse, Bill Koehler - Double Bass (40 Min)
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- Опубліковано 9 тра 2024
- One way the creator organized our universe is by sympathetic vibratory physics. The power of the overtone series is embodied in vibration, waves, wind, sound, and of course, music. Tonalities were discovered - first dating back to the Sumarian Cuneiform Tablet on the "Tuning of the Babylonian Harp", around 1750BC. . A blended and abridged quote: “fish got to swim, and birds got to fly, and man’s got to wonder, why why why.” Many composers throughout history were influenced by the singing of birds, who like us, make their melodies which are derived from the overtone series. We humans and animals alike are hard wired to observe and react with with this force of nature. I once heard a bird sing its song which had antecedent and consequent phrases. I immediately thought, "how does a bird know A minor/E7"?? I then recorded my piece, "The Bird Song" for my Living Time CD (It is on this You Tube Channel). My Improvisation on the Tonality of the Universe is based on the Lydian Dominant Mode, which is the embodiment of the overtone series. I enjoyed the time in contemplation. It was originally 10 minutes longer, but I trimmed it down a bit to just under 40 minutes. I recorded a free percussion accompaniment on the berimbau, a beautiful Brazilian percussion instrument, that was given to me as a gift by Claudia Amaral, a former graduate bass student of mine. Claudia, I wish you well!! I would like to explore this instrument! The berimbau in the hands of a master is very colorful and beautiful . I remember the great influences of Brazilian percussionists on free improvisers that I heard live many times in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, like Don Um Romao with Weather Report. Music like this was spontaneous, and helped us to be aware of the communication of all sounds around us. It feeds our consciousness. Now, it is quite easy for Artificial Intelligence. to imitate superficial, and predictable formulaic commercial music. Free improvisation is a trustworthy and self-directed undertaking. As humans, we make art because we have to. Let us sit, listen, watch, and wait as the universe reveals itself! Then, delight in the activities of being human! As always, I hope you enjoy the music! If so, please subscribe, post a comment, and share. I will respond!
Recorded on May 8, 2024 at the Sonic Ashram - Studio 2
Recorder: Sound Devices Mix Pre6II
Schertler Dyn-B Pickup
Dr. Bill Koehler
Bassist, Composer, Author
Professor Emeritus
Illinois State University
Check out Bill Koehler’s new Album Bass Alone - When Stillness and the Quantum Soup Merge, available on:
Spotify open.spotify.com/search/Bill%...
Amazon www.amazon.com/s?k=Bill+koehl...
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…and over 150 other sites work wide
Also, Check our our new Album “Timeless Flow” featuring J Kyle Gregory, Trumpet, and Bill Koehler, Double Bass (available on the same sites world-wide).
Bill Koehler on iTunes
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Bill Koehler on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/artist/06pTU...
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Author of "A Guide to the Developmental Processes of Composition and Improvisation"
CDs:
Living Time - Bill Koehler, double bass & Manpreet Bedi, tabla
Syzygy - Bill Koehler with the Sonic Exploration Society
Vandana - Journey2gether - Bill Koehler, double bass & Manpreet Bedi, tabla
Glimpse - Bill Koehler - double bass - solo, duo, and quartet
CD's and book are available by writing Bill at wkkoehl@ilstu.edu
Read a CD Review of Vandana - Journey2Gether by Joshua Kleine in Double Bassist Magazine - London, England:
Double bassist Bill Koehler, Professor of Music at Illinois State University, here joins forces with Indian Percussionist Manpreet Bedi to create a blend of polyrhythmic and mixed meter sounds which will be new to many listeners. This intrepid duo weave a brightly-coloured patchwork of original pieces based on a fusion of jazz, Western contemporary classical music, and Indian classical music. The result is a sound that is at once transcendental, joyous, serious, contemplative, and mystical.
Koehler's playing uses an intriguing mixture of influences from Indian Rag scales to modal harmonic progressions to the blues. One moment he'll be bowing a theme in the upper registers, the next he'll slip into a wistful and wandering solo. At other times his playing resembles the exotic sounds of the Indian sitar, which he creates by using the low string of his bass as a drone while simultaneously playing on the upper strings. The absence of any chordal accompaniment means that harmonies are generally implied, and Koehler takes full advantage of this to explore linear configurations that are rich with many musical influences. Journey2Gether is an exotic and inspirational release that successfully brings together the sounds of two very different cultures. A high note for world music.
Now that is Bass playing. What an artist. I am a musician from L.A. and love what you are doing.
Hello Charles, The best to you in your quest for musical self expression!! Thanks for your kind words about my music! I hope that you check out some of the other pieces, and please share the music. I would like to get the music out!!
Very great recording - made me remember Rob Wasserman and revisit his recordings - super cool!
Hello Auldhelm, Thanks! I am working on the eq and mixes, and getting to the point of solidifying my preference for the sound of my bass. I hope you can listen to more. The new Album is on the site as well. Thanks again!
A little off on that Vonnegut quote. It actually goes:
“Tiger got to hunt, bird got to fly;
Man got to sit and wonder 'why, why, why?'
Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land;
Man got to tell himself he understand.”
Sorry for the abbreviated version. I was after the part - about man having to wonder why.
Hello. Thanks for your kind words about my music. Please share, and blessings to you in return!
@@billkoehler 'will do!
Way cool new favorite artist! I'd love to jam sharing to fb
Hello Raven Bear, Thanks for your kind words about my music!! I hope you enjoy some of the other ones. I just made the 50 video mark. Please share!
Absolutely incredible.
Hello Brian, Thanks for your kind words about my music!! I hope that get a chance to listen to others. I just passed the 50 video mark. If you like silent movies, I did the soundtrack k for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Great movie!! Please share the music!!
whats that background noise
Hello SS, The background is sounds from the berimbau instrumernt - no time, just ambiance.