How to popularise H. Partch music

 The instruments of H. Partch are unique along with his tuning. However, the instruments are big and hard to transport making his music limited to the physical presence of the instruments. Although recording technology can let the music spread rapidly, the live performance is nonreplaceable. After the COVID, musicians flooded to get back to the track of live performance, which is solid proof. 

For composers, if I would like to compose by using the instruments of Partch is also particularly difficult, the unique sound and tuning must be heard by the composer before the composition process. To revive and popularise the music of Partch is more than playing the old recording. Freshwater is needed, composers compose music from Partch's ideology and instruments are the best way to preserve Partch's music. I had an idea of using Partch's instrument to compose, but I found it extremely difficult since the demonstration of each instrument is limited, there are no virtual instruments of Partch's either. It is even harder when the timbre of an instrument works with Partch's tuning.

During the preparation of using Partch materials to compose, I visit the Harry Partch website, which is hosted by the University of Washington, and tried to get more information about Partch. However, the website only provides text-based information. The university keeps a collection, although their Partch ensemble regularly holds concerts and one ticket for $10 (a good bargain), they can put some audio recordings on the website, instrumental demonstrations and even virtual instruments would provide a better understanding of Partch's music, rather than just text only.

The process of making a virtual instrument

This is the blowing wine bottle VST I made to demonstrate the process. Load the exs file in the sampler and are ready to play.

I used a blowing wine bottle to demonstrate the process of making a virtual instrument.
I blow a C major scale in two dynamics, piano and forte. Then, separate individual notes, one note with each dynamic for each audio file. It is helpful to separate the piano and forte in a different track. When exporting, normalising ensure the volume is the same. 

Load the files in the sampler in Logic Pro and map them to the keyboard. The velocity trigger different file for dynamic, piano or forte file. The velocity on MIDI key also controls the dynamic. The playing in loop function can let the note sustain forever. The play head should slap to the zero for a smoother loop. 

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