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Harmony, Sound Colour and Beyond
We have been working on Bax symphonies and trying to solve many puzzles this impressive collection of musical material presented. 1st symphony opens with an announcement. The dark diminished 7th Eb chord is played by the low register dark woodwind accompanied by tremolo gong – crescendo pp to p. This is stabbed by two harps ff playing the same chord arpeggiated over two octaves. This is dramatic enough. But the announcement continues with the same chord and entirely different timbre of strings, bass-oboe and flutes to present a ferocious rhythmic figure leading to yet another statement of the chord with a different timbre. All this drama packed into a few bars is achieved by the repetition of the same chord using different timbre. This hard to forget opening statement is not really harmonically very interesting. After all it is only one chord. Rhythmically it is Taaaa Tram, tah ta ta ta taaah. Not earth-shaking either. So what makes this opening phrase memorable? One may suggest that is meticulous orchestration and in this case the orchestration is excellent, unfortunately the answer is not that straight forward. In fact, the question posed is not the right question; I think it is just as important to ask: Did we miss something? Is there another musical property we should include into our considerations when we are dealing with music produced by a group of dissimilar instruments rather than a single type? The answer to this is yes, there is another property that is rarely mentioned or considered.
In his book "Sound Colour", Wayne Slawson described what he called sound colour which is not the same as timbre. The timbre is defined by "All ways that two sounds of the same pitch, loudness, and apparent duration may differ". Timbre is a flexible definition that may or may not include vague descriptor such as tone quality; but when all said and done timbre is a measurable quality which can be fully defined using physical parameters and measured or codified by the properties of the sound wave spectrum. On the other hand, according to Slawson's definition, "sound colour is a property or attribute of auditory sensation; it is not an acoustic property. Similarly visual colour is a perceptual attribute, not a property of light." (1)
Without going into the technical details of the sound colour theory or using its principles, it is easy to see that the mixture of timbres in the opening phrase of Bax's first Symphony provide the colours of the sound painting. I am sure these colours will be perceived differently by each listener. Even if a general agreement can be achieved with respect to the implied general meaning of the phrase, the emotional details, filtered by the experiences of each listener will differ. That is not the significant point. The distinction between orchestration and use of sound colour is similar to mixing of paints (orchestration) and using the mixed paint in ways that will enable the composer to convey his/her ideas in creative ways. To demonstrate this is possible. In an old composition, I used only two instruments that were capable of producing different pitches (Timpani and orchestral tubular bells) and each instrument was limited to 3 pitches, (Timpani; A, F, D and bells E, G, B) the rest of the instruments were percussion instruments without defined pitch. The choice of beaters and the attack was left to the eight (8) players who played bass, snare and taiko drums, cymbals, Large and medium gongs, and eight orchestral stationary tom-toms. Clearly, harmony and tone centres of this composition are undefined. But listening to it, one senses an undefinable (of course) but palpably perceivable harmonic progression. The rhythms are not regular, or march like and often enough they are not very interesting, and the mesmerising quality of some dance rhythms are not there. Yet, in combination with other colours the piece provides a coherent picture and a friend very familiar with open hearth steel mills remarked how well it captured the work atmosphere in any one of those old fashioned mills.
While I have a number of percussion rich pieces, this is the closest to a pure undefined pitch composition I know of. Probably, there are other and better pieces in the literature that would fit the only colour requirement, and I would have preferred to use a piece written by someone else instead of my piece.
This is also a brief note on the potential opportunity for discovering new colours through combination of percussion instruments. It requires experimentation and that requires assistance from a friend or colleague. It is another tool in the composer's tool-kit. However, the use entails availability of a music store with a friendly proprietor who would let you and one or more friends try out combinations of percussion instruments. There might be a few such locations that would be willing to help you out but it requires considerable luck to find one. The music director or the percussion tutor of a local school orchestra or marching band as well as the percussionists from a local symphony orchestra might be willing to make suggestions and help you.
A possible but less satisfactory solution is the use of computer generated or sampled percussion instruments. It is definitely a less inconvenient possibility but the sounds are generally not as rich as the acoustic instruments, I have not found one that will accommodate different beaters – if there is one, most likely it is a very pricey venture.
In addition to percussion instruments a great deal of sounds can be generated using a digital synthesis technique. This also opens up possibilities for experimentation and discovery of different colours. Those who would like to carry out experiments to discover new colours would be well advised to plan the experiment carefully, record the trials and assess the quality of combinations for your artistic needs. With so many variables associated with percussion (such as beaters, the contact point from centre towards the rim, etc. will have a significant effect on the combination of sounds produced).
"Sounds of an Old Steel Mill" can be found in Soundcloud through the link:
The score can be Downloaded from IMSLP – Its number is #408862, If you wish to print it, please note that it is on a B4 paper and must be shrunk to fit A4 or 8 ½ x 11 paper
(1) Wayne Slawson "Sound Color " University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London (1985) pp(18 – 21)
The Ken Hannaford reworking of "Sounds of an Old Steel Mill" using sampled metal sounds can be heard at:
The Ken Hannaford reworking of "Sounds of an Old Steel Mill" using sampled metal sounds can be heard at:


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9th and 11th May 2009
This is my third trip to the town centre of Burra, South Australia, approximately 90 minutes drive north(ish) from Gawler. Fourth, if you include the second trip two days later on the 11th of May.
The first time Rose and I were here, during our 2007 Road Trip, I briefly wrote about our visit in two posts titled Miranda's Bedroom and Searching for C. J. Dennis and Gunning for Broken Hill.
At the time I was disappointed that the towns Community Art Gallery had an exhibition of quilts (not really my thing but I do appreciate the work involved). On the first day of this trip to Burra we visited the same gallery and... an exhibition of quilts (sigh). Must be an annual exhibition that occurs during the month of May?
The town of Burra is actually famous in these parts for its copper mining history and in particular the open cut 'Monster Mine' which is now used as a venue for Jazz concerts and can be seen in the background of this photo of Rose (above) taken on the balcony of Morphett's Engine House Museum.
Just to give you an idea of where Rose is standing in the first photo here is a photo of the Engine House Museum from ground level. See that balcony at the top? She was standing on the balcony, in the corner closest to the camera.
The engine house is one of three local history museums you can visit in Burra for a reasonable cost - though you have to time things just right if you want to catch all three on the same day. They have limited opening hours but are worth the visit because each one is staffed by a guide who will provide you with additional information on Burra's history as well as answer any questions.
In case you were wondering the Engine house used to contain a massive Cornish beam engine that would pump water out of the mine. The gap between the two balconies used to support the massive pumping arm (known as 'Bob') that was pushed and pulled by a giant piston up and down 24/7 during the mine's working days.
All three museums are part of a historic, 11km Heritage driving trail that you can follow as an essential part of the Burra experience. The trail is free to follow and takes in 49 different historical sites of interest. For an extra fee you can purchase a pass key from the Burra Visitor Information Centre which will give you additional access to eight of the 49 sites.
To do the tour properly and at a leisurely pace I'd recommend three days in Burra. You could do it in two but you'd have to skip a lot of information. Rose and I tried to do all three museums and the Heritage Trail in two afternoons and failed. Though we did manage to see all the various key access sites - albeit the Old Police Station we saw after sunset and virtually in the dark with only natural light.
One highlight of the tour for movie buffs is the old gaol which was used in the Australian, Bruce Beresford film, Breaker Morant (1980). (Note that the historic railway station in my home town of Gawler also appeared in this film). The gaol is a key access site if you want to look around inside.
One thing that I have learned about heritage trails in general is that the phrase interpretive walking trail translates to everything has been reduced to its foundations or rubble and you have to imagine what buildings looked like based on the detailed information boards along the way.
One or two of the key entry sites on Burra's trail are interpretive walking trails (much like Kapunda's mine site). Whilst the sites are probably very interesting to walk around, when you're in a hurry to see as much as you can, spending time imagining how things looked isn't something you really want to do. Especially if you're running out of daylight and are in danger of missing seeing other sites that are still standing.
After two afternoons in Burra we finally had to give up and be glad we saw as much as we did. There is a lot here that I haven't written about, such as the Town Hall museum (which is free) and the very interesting display and guided tour of the Bon Accord Mine Museum (which includes a detailed model of the Burra mine before it was converted to an open cut mine).
If you have an interest in Australia's mining history or you have Cornish, Welsh or Irish descendants who emigrated to Australia to seek their fortune in the mines then Burra, South Australia, may be of interest to you. It's recognized as one of the most complete historical mining townships in Australia and a nice town to visit too.
South Australian Artist, Writer, Video Producer and Animator, David Arandle working under the pseudonym 'The Extraordinary Tourist' or 'TET' for short, blogs about Art, Life, Social Issues, humor, Internet/Technology, Movies, Entertainment, World Issues, Business, People/Places and more.
Two Afternoons in Burra, South Australia
Posted Tuesday, May 12, 2009
In Posts About: Travel and Places
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C'pas si cheap
At least try to cast actors that are close to 18 for once and not people close to 40 in these horror films. Another stupid American stereotypical portrait of South American people also don't help. Only some attractive girls getting slashed open may be interesting for uncritical gore-hounds to see.
In all endeavors where there are a large quantity of unknown elements, there needs to be at least one person who keeps muttering softly, "We're going to die". I was that person in my group of friends. It doesn't matter that we didn't die. It meant that I was always on guard. One time I noticed a guy was following me, and I went to the other side of the street. So did he. So I went into a store and waited him out.
My biggest problem with Turistas wasn't the acting or the overall idea of the film, it more revolved around the fact that nothing really happens. Perhaps if the entire first act had been shortened, not playing on the whole partying sequence for so long, maybe something would've been able to develop. As much as I like stories where characters are placed under extreme circumstances, this one didn't quite do it for me.
Exceptionally dumb for the first half hour, but once it gets into survival mode it proves a pretty excellent thriller. If Hostel is Friday the 13th, this is My Bloody Valentine. Better, smarter and scarier.


text: Engineering Eagles Hockey In 'EPS Student Societies' AstroSocBARCBUCESCameroon CatalystChemSocCivSocCSSDrone SocietyEagles HockeyEESE SocEngineering RugbyEPS Mixed NetballEWB BirminghamGames Development SocietyGUTSMathSocMechSocMozilla ClubNucSocoSTEMPPSRailSocSATNAVUB EcoUBeRacingUBRacingUBRoboticsWISE Back to 'Student societies' The Engineering Eagles are a mixed hockey team sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover representing the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. We play in the University of Birmingham Intra-League and are currently in the premier division. The team is aimed at all abilities and it is a great way to discover how fun and rewarding hockey can be.If you are interested to joining the team join our Facebook group for more information. EPS Societies' Awards won: Sports Team of the Year 2016/17 NewsRSS FeedAtom Feed Eagles Season Review 2017/18 DescriptionEngineering Eagles came a close third place this season, narrowly missing out on the two top spots to the 'Freshers' and Medic's 2nd XI teams. Co-Captains Ben Dance, Tom Paish and Jonathan Chowdury tell us more.Date:10/04/2018 Engineering Eagles Hockey: Review 2016/17 DescriptionEngineering Eagles have won the 2017 University of Birmingham Intra Mural Sports league! Co-Captain Jonathan Chowdhury tells us moreDate:23/03/2017 Hello from Eagles Hockey DescriptionEngineering Eagles have been on fire this term! Captain John Redwood tells us more.Date:12/04/2016 Displaying 1 to 3 of 3


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'Last Week Tonight With John Oliver' reveals terrifying nuclear waste problem in the U.S.
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver tackled the terrifying reality that there is more than 71,000 tons of nuclear waste just sitting around the nation's 104 nuclear reactors.
The reason there is so much waste sitting around is because scientists are still trying to figure out the best way to dispose of it.
Oliver said, "As any adult with an American Girl doll collection eventually finds out, if you want to keep something around for a disturbingly long time you've got to find an appropriate place to put it."
Oliver also talked about the failed attempts to store toxic waste. He pointed to Hanford Washington, which is apparently "most contaminated place in the entire western hemisphere."
There was a large storage tunnel built in Hanford but engineers used wood to build the tunnels and now they are collapsing. Oliver pointed out, "You can't build something out of wood and expect it to last forever. You're supposed to have learned that from the second-dumbest of the three little pigs."
Current plans are to move waste to Yucca Mountain in Nevada. But Oliver claims Yucca Mountain is a poor solution and likens it to defecating in paper bag instead of toilet.
Oliver ended by saying, "We've already waited way too long to resolve this issue and we are dancing with trouble here. So if anyone says the government can just continue to wait, they are, much like a house with no toilet, full of sh*t."


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The Secret Life Of The American Teenager -- George Makes Jack Get Help
Original Airing: April 15, 2013
You can say a lot of things about George, but the man is a good father. He even steps up to the plate for kids whose parents aren't doing what they should be doing.
After Jack nearly shoots him, he goes to his father, The Reverend. Or maybe he's not Jack's father, since The Reverend said the gun Jack had belonged to his father. I didn't watch this show from the start, so I don't have the 411 on Jack's parentage.
Anyway, George raked the man over the coals for not keeping that gun under lock and key. He was also appalled when the man refused to take any proactive action with Jack. No matter what George said the man claimed he couldn't do anything.
George made a deal with Jack that if he allowed Jack to stay with him, Jack would go to Dr. Fields in get help. The only way Jack felt safe enough to go to sleep was to sleep in George's bed with him.
The next morning Jack confided to Tom that he's scared all the time. That everywhere he goes he thinks he sees the pimp. That before the pimp attacked him he told him he'd better pray to his God, and he didn't and God still saved him. Tom, however, points out that Jack's God also let him be beaten up in the first place.
Even though Jack nearly killed George, by morning's light he's pooh-poohing it all away. He's also trying to weasel out of seeing Dr. Fields. When George drops his off at Dr. Fields, he only pretends to go in and sneaks off without seeing him. George is alerted to this fact by The Reverend.
Adrian runs into Jack and takes a shot at trying to talk some sense into the doofus, as well. He tells her he doesn't believe in the mental and it's not real. When he starts spouting his God stuff again and claiming Dr. Fields doesn't believe, she asks him if he thinks The Reverend questioned the doctors who saved his life if they were Christian or not. She also asks him if he believes in love. That's mental. Does he thing love is real? It remains to be seen if she managed to talk any sense into the nitwit.
George finally takes matters into his own hand. He catches Jack trying to sneak out of seeing Dr. Fields, again, and basically takes him by the hand and drags him in Field's office. He even goes in with him for the therapy session to make sure he actually goes in. When Jack finally opens up about his fears about the pimp, George excuses himself.
Kathy was still trying to get Creepthan to let her help him study Algebra. He was also in crisis mode because he'd be alone with Kathy at her house. Kathy assured them they wouldn't be having sex, but he couldn't assimilate the concept of being trusted to behave and do the right thing. It turns out he has nothing to worry about, as Kathy's ex-boyfriend [although she seems to be having trouble putting ex in front of the word boyfriend] shows up wanting to see their baby. He even suggests they object to the adoption and raise the baby together. Creepthan declares Baby Daddy is back, but not for Kathy or the baby, he wants something else. Of course, the doofus doesn't happen to mention what he thinks that something else is.
Meanwhile, the Original Baby Daddy, Ricky, has child care problems and tries to pawn John off on George, but since George is busy with Baby Jack he tells Ricky no can do. Ricky takes the day off school and spends it with John. I was kind of creeped out by them playing the theme song from The Courtship Of Eddie's Father.
Nora drops by and tells Ricky that if he needs someone to look after John he can come to her. She also urges him not to go through with marrying Amy. She reveals when she learned he wasn't really married to Amy she felt relieved. She suggests he could raise John on his own without having to get stuck married to Amy. She also says that while everyone is worried about Amy getting married so young, she's worried about him, since he's only 19 and has his whole life ahead of him. Ricky asks her to leave, not liking hearing what he's been thinking himself from his mother.
With Nora, you could really feel the end was coming near for this show. She told George she still feels Vindictive Anne is going to evict them any day now. She's been trying to save for a car, but she decides it's time to look for an apartment. She feels she's ready to live alone without fear of falling off the wagon. She thanks George for being a good friend to her.
Amy calls from New York saying she heard about the child care problem and it's obvious if she did go to Hudson U she wouldn't be able to leave John with Ricky. She also mentions she just happened to check out a day care center in New York that could care for John. However, she says in a disappointed way that she'll probably have to find a college located locally and says she's worried she's losing Ricky. I'm sure this is all just a bunch of strum and drang and these two idiots will wind up getting married as planned in the series finale.
Leo got accused of hoping Ben and Amy got back together, but he made it clear he feels there's been too much water under the bridge for that. Chloe tells him how Ben discovered what flight Amy would be on and made sure he was on the same flight. However, it seems Ben has attracted a new female in his weekend stay at the college.
The episode ends with The Reverend and his wife sleeping on the floor as Jack sleeps in their bed. At least George finally got free of him and he's back home where he belongs.
On a side note: I made an off-colored joke about George and his family jewels after Jack took a shot at him, last week. So when George made a comment that he was glad everything in his pants was intact it made me want to laugh. Good old George. I think I'm actually going to miss him.


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The Alliance organized Rum Runners Weekend, held in mid-September, where the entire community joins in the festivities to celebrate the Roaring Twenties.
The Town of Chester and others on the direct route from Canada to NYC played a huge role during Prohibition in the 1920's.
Based on this theme, Jazz Music, Model T's, Gangsters and Flappers are seen on the streets and in the businesses throughout the weekend, making a visitor wonder if they had walked through a time machine. Local restaurants offer $19.25 specials throughout the weekend with staff dressed for the era. Enjoy Friday Night's Chase of the Bootleggers at area pubs and trying your hand at gambling at a warehouse casino! Saturday morning offers a car chase over Landon Hill, a notorious boot legging route, with over 25 vintage cars traveling from Pottersville to Chestertown. Saturday afternoon brings Babe Ruth Baseball & Battle of the Bats for young and old, with Georgie Wonder's Big Band later Saturday afternoon at the Historic Carol Theatre. Saturday night Speak Easy at the Panther Mt. Inn is complete with locked entrance door needing the password to gain entrance, Jazz Bands & Charleston Contests! All ages don costumes of the era throughout the weekend, so join us if you can—and don't forget your flapper dress!
Schedule of Events
Friday, Sept. 15, 2017
- Vintage Car Rally through Brant Lake (The Hub), Pottersville (Black Bear) & Chestertown (OP Fredericks) in search of the notorious Wesley and his band of bootleggers!
- Casino Night 8PM – $25 admission buys you gambling money for a chance to win some great prizes! Roulette Wheel, Poker Tables, Craps and more!
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017
- 11 AM: Classic Antique Car Race over Landon Hill – keep an eye out for the shootouts on Main St.!!!!
- 11:30 AM: Babe Ruth Baseball & Carnival for the kids at the Chestertown Municipal Center Rear Field
- 3:30 PM: Georgie Wonders Big Band at the Carol Theatre. Tickets $15 pre-bought or $20 at the door. Call #518-494-5318 to reserve seats.
- Enjoy $19.25 Restaurant Specials throughout town all weekend!
- Evening Speakeasy at the Panther Mt. Pub with Jazz Bands & Charleston Finals
See our photo galleries for our 2014 pictures and 2013 pictures.
The Rum Runners' Weekend was honored to be recognized as winner of the 2014 Adirondack Park Excellence Award for Best Community Event (Spring / Fall).


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Airpushers Tickets
Airpushers are an American music duo consisting of Printz Board and Tim Izo Orindgreff, both backing musicians for the Black Eyed Peas and session musicians for other Top 40 acts. The group released their debut album, Themes for the Ordinarily Strange, in 2006.
Board and Orindgreff are both classically trained musicians, and fluent in a number of genres from jazz to hip-hop. Their debut album explores a wide range of musical tropes, ranging from futuristic updates of Parliament-esque funk to horn work reminiscent of Miles Davis.