Piano Ergonomics №8 “Digital Junction” — Commentary

The Interaction Between Digital and Analog

[embed]

Score PDF Link : https://note.com/hoshinossimo/n/na4933d57c285

Introduction

Today, digital technology has become a natural part of everyday life, and music production through DAWs has also become the norm. Performances with “perfect timing” created through MIDI have become standard. Even so, perhaps humans are unable to fully become accustomed to purely digital sound. To bring out a sense of humanity or analog character, research and development continue every day: editing methods such as MIDI humanization, virtual instruments that pursue realism, and plugins that recreate vintage equipment in search of analog texture.

If we try to express analog through digital technology, then what if we tried the opposite — expressing digital through analog? Could there be new forms of interest or unexpected discoveries there? That is the theme of this piece.

Characteristics of the Piece

To express the image of “digital” through a piano solo work, this piece has the following characteristics: ① Rhythms with fixed pitches and fixed durations are arranged over 8-beat and 16-beat patterns like a rhythm machine. ② Chords built on fourths and fifths are used extensively to convey a harder character. ③ Parallel triads are used.

Incidentally, this piece uses only the white keys of the piano — something every composer wants to try at least once (?).

Structure of the Piece

The piece begins with a percussive introduction built from fixed pitches and rhythms. Section [A] features a melody moving between the upper and lower ranges around the regular repetition of a C–G fifth chord. Section [B] focuses on rhythmic expression, mainly in the low and middle registers. Section [C] uses parallel chords, with the right and left hands moving symmetrically.

The overall structure is: A–B–C–A′–B–B′–C′–C″–Coda The structure is built around A–B–C as one complete unit, which is then expanded in its second appearance. The introductory phrase is also used in the bridge after section C, as well as in the Coda.

Performance Notes

The balance of rhythmic dynamics and the strength of accents are key elements in expressing this piece. Although there are no legato-like phrases, it may be effective to shape the phrasing through rhythmic dynamics and note durations. I feel that by performing digital-like motion with human hands, a unique kind of tension may emerge — something different from what would be created by a machine performing it.

Note: The copyright of this work is not administered by any copyright management organization. No performance fees will be charged for normal performance uses, including concerts, recitals, and the posting of performance videos online.