!

ALTYS


































for electric guitar
Anton Lukoszevieze 2009




Tune the e-guitar to its normal tuning, but use a pitch shifter to transpose each tone lower by a just tuned fifth (3:2) whilst playing. The actual pitch and shift pitch should
both be audible, as equally as possible, and a homogeneity of sound be aimed for.
Find a sound on the guitar that has a small amount of distortion and if possible is rich in overtones.
Using an e-bow play each open string in descending order starting with the highest string 1(E), 2(B), 3(G), 4(D),
5(A) and 6(E).
Whilst playing each tone the tuning peg should be turned in order to make a very gradual detuning downwards in pitch of the open string. This does not apply to the first
statement of the open strings, only the loop pitches.
Each e-bow sound should be 10 or 20 in duration (use a timer, 10 for shorter version, 20" longer). If 10 chosen all tones are 10, if 20 all tones are to be 20. The timbre
of the e-bow sound may be varied subtly.
There should be a real-time loop set-up, to begin 2 after each stated tone. Start a new tone each time you hear a looped note.
The first and last playing of tones 123456 is without a loop, gap between tones is 2. The second playing has the note sounding
twice.
The third playing through has the note sounding 3 times, The fourth 4 times, fifth 5
times and sixth 6 times.
After the sixth loop the process is reversed, starting with the lowest string (6), so each note/string will sound 5,
4, 3 and 2 times. Therefore the loop must be set to be increased or decreased accordingly. During the reverse process the strings are
tuned upwards very gradually.
The detuning of the strings should be a gradual and subtle process, but still perceptible and notable. You are not
aiming for a new tuning, but allowing random harmonic fields to occur.
So, to summarise, you are only ever playing each number ONCE and listening for the loops, in the descending or ascending sequence. Green notes in the form
below are notes you actually play, t he rest are the loop sounds.
When the whole process has been accomplished, play Part II, without re-tuning the guitar at all. Part II uses no loops or pitch shifting. Part I
can be played alone. Part II only with Part I. Part II is in progress.

Form of piece

66 6666 666666 1111 11
1 55111 555511111 55555566666 2222666 22 6
2 44 222 4444 22222 444444 55555 3333 555 33 5
3 33 333 3333 33333 333333 44444 4444 444 44 4
4 22 444 2222 44444 222222 33333 5555 333 55 3
5 11 5551111 55555111111 222226666 22266 2
6 666 66666 11111 111 1