Incidental

Sample from Session 2… This features Tro Sao, and some resampled fragments of Roneat Aek and Gong Thum. There should be a Ksae Diew on this track too, but unfortunately the mic seems to have been playing up during this section of the rehearsal…

Anyway - as below, quite simple, static structures with a strong beat. One of the things we’ve been exploring is how to address rhythm, since computer music often tends to use  very metrical, regular rhythm structures. This is very different to Khmer music - where the lead instrument determines tempo (often stretching out phrases quite differently) and other instruments “hit” when a particular note in the melody is reached. So tempo is not regulated as in traditional western music, but far more elastic.

This track is part of our experiment with more “metrical” playing amongst the musicians, which can be helpful in the context of coherent improvisation. But we’re also working on other pieces which try to get computers to work with a more Khmer-style of “performative” rhythm … More soon….