DESCRIPTION:
This "composition" is something I threw together to record my new frame drum. It's based on two major sources of inspiration—the first are the creative arrangements by Eduardo Paniagua's different early Music ensembles. The second is the incredible contribution Layne Redmond has made to both the technique and "spirituality" of the Frame Drum. I've dedicate this piece to her memory, and, although I'm sorry I've never met her in person, I'm grateful that she's left so much behind.

All of the instruments used are in Medieval (Pythagorean) tuning, instead of Well-tempered scale- this makes many intervals (particularly 4ths and 5ths) sound much better, while the thirds may sound a bit "off" for those used to the modern temperaments.

I can't play as well as this track may sound-- I've assembled this piece from loops I've got from several improvised tracks I recorded against a base rhythm track using a 16 beat pattern. Not only did this allow me to focus on those parts where the beat was more effective, but also I added some zing by recording at 145 BPM and speeding the playback to 185 BPM. I also lowered the pitch of the frame drum electronically so that it would be in in the same key.

(As a note- I am still learning how to best record the drum—this mix should sound fine on earbuds and computer speakers, but will likely be "boomy" if played on a better stereo— you may wish to lower the bass in such a case, particularly below 50 hz. )
Instruments(and tracks) include:

• Two different Hammered Dulcimer tracks- one with wooden hammers, the others lightly padded with felt.
• Another track where I played the Hammered Dulcimer as a Psaltry, using a playing card as a pick.
• A Remo 22" Frame Drum.
• An Indian Tamborine I picked up for next to nothing in an Indian Grocery Store.
• A Drone from my lovely Moncur Hurdy Gurdy from Altarwind.
• A synthesized flute (in Pythagorean tuning) generated from Harmony Assistant.

The flute melody came to mind as I started mixing tracks. I don't know if it's from an existing early/celtic tune, or something that just seemed to fit.

As far as the video, if there is a "message", it's about the conflict between mortality and the desire to create. I've also tried to include some medieval concepts such as the "Dance of Death", as well as some quotes from Layne Redmond. I've pulled clips from many publicly posted sources, and am respectfully incorporating them under the Fair Use provision of the Copyright Act. I've sped up a lot of these clips to create a playful tone, but this is not meant as disrespect. Among the artists performing in in these clips a Layne Redmond and Glen Velez (on Frame Drums) and Dizzi on hammered Dulcimer. If you are interested in either instrument, I suggest you check out the following links, or search for them on Youtube- you will hear some great playing and get some great ideas:

http://www.layneredmond.com/
http://glenvelez.com
www.dizzi.co.uk/‎
www.framedrums.net

I would also like to thank sources that have shared greenscreen effects through youtube, including:

Footage Island(Nissim Farin),
BestGreenScreen
StefanCalifornia
ScreenArt
Footage Now
AlexFreeStockVideo

I'm sorry for any I may have omitted-- these are a great resource for a those of use who are cobbling together videos.



I also included some clips from Ingmar Bergman's legendary "Seventh Seal" in the video- a movie that one should check out of medieval history, art, or philosophy interest you at all.