 | Nam June Paik: Global Groove |
|---|---|
| Paik's work is just one frame from an extended video artwork. He uses electronic signals instead of paint, and a cathode-tube instead of canvas. | 1973 |
50.1 BACKGROUND
ELECTRONICISM had its beginning with the development of electronic instruments, around the turn of the century. These included the teleharmonium (a forerunner of the electronic organ), the theremin, and the ondes Martenot. It was not until the development of the tape recorder in the late 40's that it really began to develop into a style of composition. The tape recorder allowed for physical manipulation of sound, such as changing speed, direction, fragmentation, splicing, delay, and looping, or adding effects such as reverberation.
In synthesized sound, oscillators create wave shapes, which have particular properties: sine (no harmonics), sawtooth (all harmonics), square (odd harmonics), triangle (odd harmonics, with less in upper). Computers, either for processing or generation of sound, allow for quicker manipulations.
For more information, go to History of Electronic Music on the web.
50.2 COMPOSERS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRONICISM
50.3 MUSICAL ELEMENTS
Electronic music has three basic formats:
The manipulation of either live or recorded acoustic sound by physical or electronic means.
The development of technology throughout the 20th century has created a multitude of devices able to create electronic sound.
The growth of electonic music media includes the combination of live performers with either pre-recorded sounds or simultaneous electronic manipulation of acoustic sound.
ASSIGNMENTS:
SUGGESTED LISTENING
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