Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site mit-eddie.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!nessus
From: nessus@mit-eddie.UUCP (Doug Alan)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: Musical notation and Kate's use of Fairlight
Message-ID: <4751@mit-eddie.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 21-Jul-85 19:38:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: mit-eddi.4751
Posted: Sun Jul 21 19:38:45 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 23-Jul-85 05:28:11 EDT
Distribution: net.music
Organization: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 40
Keywords: Kate Bush, Sequencers, Klaus Schulze

> From: bottom@katadn.DEC

> Just a simple question for Doug Alan. What evidence would there be if
> Kate did use the sequencer? My understanding of the Fairlight is that
> it is a superior machine because of the flexability of the sequencer
> as opposed to some cheaper things like my roland. It is not my
> intention to reopen the dead or alive music questionm just to
> understand what clues would one find to indicate the use of a
> sequencer.

The Fairlight is superior to a lot of synthesizers for a lot more
reasons than just the flexability of its sequencer.  But that's
certainly one of its advantages.

Kate Bush might use the sequencer for rhythm tracks, because she
sometimes uses drum machines (usually mixed with human drumming), and
she might use the sequencer as a form of tape recorder, just to record
things she's played, but I'm sure she doesn't use it to enter music into
the Fairlight as musical notation and have it play it that way.  I
believe this for several reasons: (1) She doesn't read music well (2)
She's big on velocity-sensitive keyboards, and much of that aspect would
be lost (3) I'm sure I'd be able to hear the difference between music
generated by a sequencer given notation and that played by a good human
player on a velocity-sensitive keyboard.

The other use for a sequencer would be to "record" a piece of Fairlight
music played on the keyboard, and then have that repeated over and over
again.  I'm sure I'd notice that.

I don't want anyone to think that I have anything against sequencers --
they're just not Kate Bush's style for things other than percussion
(actually there's probably some sequencer at the end of "Saxophone
Song", but that's pre-history, right?).  Klaus Schulze does great things
with sequencers!

			"I will come home again, but not until
			 The sun and the moon meet on yon hill"

			 Doug Alan
			  nessus@mit-eddie.UUCP (or ARPA)