I started exploring Spectral music in more depth this week, so my playlist was full of Gerard Grisey's repertoire. There is something mysterious about this sound, and I love it! I am so inspired by this sound that I plan to incorporate and experiment with it in my compositions. Okay, now we know there's something called Spectral Music, but what is it? In its simplest form, Spectral Music is a relatively new genre of classical music that explores sound through the acoustic spectrum. The genre started in France in the 1970s with composers like Gérard Grisey, Tristan Murail, and Hugues Dufourt. The purpose of spectral music is to explore different aspects of sound, like timbre, overtones, and resonance, and base musical composition on acoustic spectra.
Why is it different from other music movements? What does it actually mean? We could ask ourselves because many music movements explore such qualities. The main characteristic of Spectral Music is that it's not based on traditional music notation but instead relies on sound analysis techniques. Using acoustic instruments and recorded sound samples, spectral composers isolate the different parts of a sound using technologies like FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) or SONAR (Spectral Analysis Network for Acoustical Research). These components include harmonics, overtones, resonances, and other features that are not normally considered in traditional Western music.In that case, is spectral music created using computer programs?
Many spectral composers use computers to manipulate sound and analyze acoustic spectra, which is often referred to as "computer music" because of its technology-based sounds and is often associated with electronic music. However, the genre is not limited to electronic music and can be performed by traditional acoustic instruments.
So far, Spectral Music has had a big impact on classical music and has influenced many contemporary composers by opening the door to new ways of creating music, as the use of this analysis has led to the development of new techniques for composing music. A technique called "sound synthesis" involves digitizing different sound sources, like musical instruments or human voices, and using those models to create new sounds that were never heard before. Other composers use "sound mass" techniques, which layer or blend several sounds together to create a new, complex texture.
It's worth a try to experiment with this kind of music, and I'm going to give it a shot soon. Feel free to share your thoughts if you've tried it already! Have a lovely evening, everyone!
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