John Goux
From:
California, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2017 8:08 pm |
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I spent the afternoon with composer Stephen James Taylor, jamming and brainstorming ideas, to use pedal steel in his microtonal compositions. He is a film score composer who writes in every style, with a special interest the micro tonal harmony of Erv Wilson.
He printed out a 24 1/4" paper fingerboard, which I taped over my Williams 12. The scale is equal temperament 31 steps to the octave. He color coded notes he wanted us to favor.
I've heard Harry Parch concerts, and seen slide guitar used. On the way over today, I was not confident of my ability to play PSG and accurately nail microtonal pitches. But when someone is playing with you, it was easier than I expected. I stared intently at the fret lines, but your ear guides you to be in tune with the players around you.
Stephen has invented and commissioned a bevy of instruments to use in his music, both acoustic and electronic.
Here are photos of a pedal electric cello, with pitch pedals similar to PSG. It works on cables.
It has moveable bridges and fingerboards. The pedals raise and lower pitch to his specifications. He sometimes played it with an eBow.
Enjoy, john
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