chadabe electric sound pdf 13
Chadabe Electric Sound: The Past and Promise of Electronic Music
Electronic music is one of the most fascinating and diverse forms of artistic expression in the modern world. It encompasses a wide range of sounds, genres, styles, techniques, and technologies that have shaped the history and culture of music for over a century. But how did electronic music come to be? What are its origins, developments, and future directions? And what can we learn from its past and present achievements?
These are some of the questions that Joel Chadabe explores in his book Electric Sound: The Past and Promise of Electronic Music. Chadabe is a composer, performer, educator, and historian who has been involved in electronic music since the 1960s. He has written extensively on the subject and has interviewed many of the key figures and pioneers of electronic music. In his book, he provides a comprehensive and engaging overview of the history and evolution of electronic music from its beginnings to its current state.
In this article, we will summarize the main points and insights from Chadabe's book and highlight some of the most important aspects of electronic music that he covers. We will also provide some examples and recommendations for further reading and listening for those who want to delve deeper into this fascinating topic.
The Origins of Electronic Music
Electronic music is generally defined as music that is produced or manipulated by electronic devices or instruments. However, as Chadabe points out, this definition is not very precise or accurate. He prefers to use the term electronic sound, which he defines as \"sound produced or modified by any means other than acoustical\" (p. xiii). This includes not only electronic devices but also mechanical, magnetic, optical, or digital means.
Chadabe traces the origins of electronic sound to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when inventors and composers began to experiment with new ways of creating and manipulating sound using electricity. Some of the earliest examples of electronic sound include:
The theremin, invented by Leon Theremin in 1919. It is an instrument that produces sound by varying the distance between two metal antennas that sense the position of the player's hands.
The tape recorder, invented by Fritz Pfleumer in 1928. It is a device that records sound on a magnetic tape that can be played back or edited.
The synthesizer, invented by various pioneers such as Laurens Hammond, Robert Moog, and Don Buchla in the 1930s and 1960s. It is a device that generates sound by combining and modifying electronic signals from various sources such as oscillators, filters, envelopes, etc.
These inventions opened up new possibilities and challenges for composers and musicians who wanted to explore the potential of electronic sound. Some of the pioneers of electronic sound who made significant contributions to the development of electronic music include:
Pierre Schaeffer, who coined the term musique concrète in 1948. He was one of the first composers to use recorded sounds from various sources (such as trains, bells, voices, etc.) and manipulate them using tape techniques (such as splicing, looping, reversing, etc.) to create new musical compositions.
John Cage, who challenged the conventional notions of music, sound, and silence in his works. He was one of the first composers to use electronic devices (such as radios, turntables, etc.) and random processes (such as chance operations, indeterminacy, etc.) to create unpredictable and experimental musical compositions.
Karlheinz Stockhausen, who coined the term elektronische Musik in 1955. He was one of the first composers to use synthesized sounds and complex serial techniques (such as tone rows, pointillism, etc.) to create highly structured and abstract musical compositions.
These pioneers and others created some of the earliest genres and styles of electronic music, such as musique concrète, elektronische Musik, tape music, aleatoric music, spatial music, etc. They also influenced many other composers and musicians who followed their footsteps and experimented with electronic sound in their own ways.
The Development of Electronic Music in the 20th Century
As electronic sound became more accessible and popular, it spread across the world and influenced various musical cultures and traditions. Chadabe describes how electronic music developed in different regions and contexts throughout the 20th century, such as:
Japan, where composers such as Toru Takemitsu, Toshiro Mayuzumi, and Makoto Moroi combined electronic sound with traditional instruments and aesthetics to create a unique style of electronic music.
India, where composers such as Ravi Shankar, Ananda Shankar, and Charanjit Singh incorporated electronic sound into classical and popular music genres such as raga, sitar, and Bollywood.
Latin America, where composers such as Juan Blanco, José Vicente Asuar, and Conlon Nancarrow used electronic sound to express their social and political views and experiment with rhythmic and harmonic structures.
Electronic sound also had a profound impact on popular culture and music genres such as rock, jazz, disco, hip hop, etc. Chadabe discusses how electronic sound influenced some of the most influential artists and movements in popular music history, such as:
The Beatles, who used tape loops, feedback, synthesizers, etc. to create innovative sounds and effects in their albums such as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Revolver, The White Album, etc.
Miles Davis, who used electric instruments, effects pedals, synthesizers, etc. to create fusion styles of jazz and rock in his albums such as Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way, On the Corner, etc.
Kraftwerk, who used synthesizers, drum machines, vocoders, etc. to create pioneering styles of electronic pop music in their albums such as Autobahn, The Man-Machine, Trans-Europe Express, etc.
Afrika Bambaataa, who used turntables, samplers, drum machines, etc. to create groundbreaking styles of hip hop music in his songs such as Planet Rock, Looking for the Perfect Beat, Renegades of Funk, etc.
The Future of Electronic Music
Electronic music is not only a product of the past and present, but also a promise for the future. Chadabe explores some of the challenges and opportunities that electronic music faces in the digital age, such as:
Sampling, which is the technique of using existing sounds or recordings as raw material for new compositions. Sampling can be seen as a form of creative appropriation or plagiarism, depending on the context and intention.
Streaming, which is the method of delivering music over the internet or other networks. Streaming can be seen as a form of democratization or commodification, depending on the quality and accessibility.
Piracy, which is the practice of copying or distributing music without authorization or payment. Piracy can be seen as a form of freedom or theft, depending on the ethics and economics.
Chadabe also discusses some of the trends and movements that electronic music exhibits in the 21st century, such as:
Glitch, which is a style of music that uses digital errors, distortions, or noises as aesthetic elements. Glitch can be seen as a form of experimentation or malfunction, depending on the perspective and taste.
Vaporwave, which is a style of music that uses samples from 1980s and 1990s pop culture, such as commercials, video games, or elevator music. Vaporwave can be seen as a form of nostalgia or satire, depending on the mood and message.
EDM (electronic dance music), which is a broad term that encompasses various styles of music that are designed for dancing, such as house, techno, trance, dubstep, etc. EDM can be seen as a form of entertainment or art, depending on the skill and expression.
Finally, Chadabe speculates on some of the potential and vision that electronic music has for the next generation, such as:
AI (artificial intelligence), which is the technology that enables machines to perform tasks that require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, or creativity. AI can be seen as a tool or a partner for electronic music composers and performers.
VR (virtual reality), which is the technology that creates immersive and interactive simulations of reality using computer-generated images and sounds. VR can be seen as a medium or an environment for electronic music experiences and experiments.
AR (augmented reality), which is the technology that enhances reality by overlaying computer-generated images and sounds onto the real world. AR can be seen as a layer or an extension for electronic music interactions and expressions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chadabe's book Electric Sound: The Past and Promise of Electronic Music is a valuable and comprehensive resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about electronic music. It covers the history and evolution of electronic sound from its origins to its future directions, and provides many examples and insights from various composers and musicians who have contributed to this fascinating field. It also raises many questions and challenges that electronic music faces in the digital age, and suggests some trends and movements that electronic music exhibits in the 21st century.
Electronic music is not only a form of art but also a form of science, technology, culture, and society. It reflects and influences our perception and expression of sound, music, and reality. It offers us new possibilities and opportunities to create and communicate with sound in ways that were never imagined before. It also challenges us to think critically and creatively about sound and its role in our lives.
If you want to learn more about electronic music and its past and promise, we recommend you to read Chadabe's book Electric Sound: The Past and Promise of Electronic Music. You can also listen to some of the examples and recommendations that he provides in his book or explore some of the genres and styles that we mentioned in this article. You will discover a rich and diverse world of sound that will inspire you and enrich your musical experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about electronic music:
What is the difference between electronic music and electroacoustic music?
Electronic music is a broad term that encompasses any music that is produced or manipulated by electronic devices or instruments. Electroacoustic music is a specific term that refers to music that combines electronic sound with acoustic sound, such as live instruments, voices, or environmental sounds.
What is the difference between electronic music and computer music?
Electronic music is a broad term that encompasses any music that is produced or manipulated by electronic devices or instruments. Computer music is a specific term that refers to music that is produced or manipulated by computers or software, such as algorithms, programs, or applications.
What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of electronic music?
Some of the benefits of electronic music are:
It offers a wide range of sounds, genres, styles, techniques, and technologies that can be used for musical expression and communication.
It allows for more flexibility, creativity, and experimentation than traditional acoustic music.
It can be more accessible, affordable, and portable than traditional acoustic music.
Some of the drawbacks of electronic music are:
It can be more complex, difficult, and technical than traditional acoustic music.
It can be more dependent on external factors such as electricity, equipment, software, etc. than traditional acoustic music.
It can be more prone to errors, glitches, or malfunctions than traditional acoustic music.
What are some of the skills and knowledge that are required for electronic music?
Some of the skills and knowledge that are required for electronic music are:
Musical skills and knowledge, such as theory, harmony, melody, rhythm, form, etc.
Electronic skills and knowledge, such as circuits, signals, synthesis, processing, etc.
Computer skills and knowledge, such as programming, coding, software, etc.
Creative skills and knowledge, such as composition, improvisation, performance, etc.
How can I learn more about electronic music?
Some of the ways that you can learn more about electronic music are:
Reading books, articles, blogs, etc. about electronic music history, theory, practice, etc.
artists, etc.
Watching videos, documentaries, tutorials, etc. about electronic music instruments, devices, software, etc.
Taking courses, workshops, classes, etc. about electronic music production, performance, etc.
Joining communities, forums, groups, etc. of electronic music enthusiasts, fans, makers, etc.