Saxy Dreams. 2017.

Dur. 17:30.

Composed using Kyma  (Symbolic Sound) system. A tribute to the talent of multiple reed player Charlie Tokarz, with whom McLean has  collaborated for several years.  This work features several of Charlie's samples, mainly alto sax.  Two main Kyma Sounds were employed in the Timeline:  The sax samples were broken up using a Sound created on the Analog StepSequencer using the extra values parameter field to control the sample start times. Six separate possible start times were employed in a 6-stage sequence, each one completely variable, so that, as the StepSequencer steps through the steps, each step’s start time can vary or remain the same (controlled by a MIDI controller). The result is to be able to take a fairly long sample and scramble it to the point where it emerges as a completely different set of motives and melodies, all easily repeatable or slightly varied. In other words, McLean can take a fairly linear jazzy improvisation and turn it into a structured melodic flow which employs a Stravinsky-like repetition and varied repetition. The other main Sound (background pulsative infinitely-varying chordal ostinato) consisted of an elaborate StepSequencer with 16 steps.  The start and end stages are variable and semi-random (meaning that they can be randomized at will or not). The samples include harp, piano, guitar, french horn and synthezizer, all utilizing a pandiatonic pitch field resembling harmonic minor scale. Many timbral effects also used, such as the FilterBank.  The StepSequencer itself is an elaborate one powered by a script which allows for many random and semi-random controls, along with varying banks, pitch range controls, steps, start times, complex tempo changes, etc. Composition of this work took six months of concentrated work, with many false starts.

​

Saxy Dreams is © and ℗ 2017 Barton McLean

​

If you enjoyed this video, we invite you to take a peek at our McLean Playlist, with 106 music videos and counting, at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3ACAB7BAD86CE7B4