Affirmation
Mixed media by:
SALLY DECKER
& collaborators BRIANA MARELA and CAROLINE PARTAMIAN
affirmation
: for voice and delay
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signal path : voice (v) —> delay (d) :
dry and delayed voice amplified and in center of stereo field
begin with
delay time : 0ms /
blend : 50% (or 12 o’clock on EHX analog delay pedal) /
feedback : 0% and will not change /
italics used to indicate suggestions for character, delivery, or intention of the voice
total duration should be at least six minutes
optional addition : video camera zoomed into face, eyes, or mouth of the performer and this image projected behind them
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devise a sentence, phrase, or small poem that feels affirming to you: affirming in that you feel a positive resonance inside yourself when you say it:
max five words, max two syllables per word, no more than one two-syllable word in the phrase :
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i
v : start speaking the phrase with a small pause in between each word and keep repeating
d: turn delay time up a small amount after each repetition of the spoken phrase. move at your own pace, but keep the movement of the delay time consistent once you’ve found a rhythm
exact / steady / searching:
ii
v : keep repeating the phrase with pauses. attempt to follow the rhythm and pacing of the delayed voice returning, especially as delayed signal separates more and more from the dry voice. words can become more sung rather than spoken if desired
d : after delay time is at ~275ms (12 o’clock), start to alternate moving the delay time knob and the blend knob, increasing the blend. adjustments to the blend knob can be in greater notches than the delay time movement
moving / playful / curious :
iii
v : keep repeating. stop when you have completed a full repetition of the phrase without any delayed signal
d : once delay time is 550ms (or all the way up on EHX pedal) and blend is 100%, start moving the blend down (moving slower than when you first increased the blend) until you reach 0%
lucid / intuitive / confident :
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Graphic score interpretation by Caroline Partamian.
Bio:
Sally Decker is a composer, performer, and writer based in Oakland, CA. Her work explores the subtle emotional body and sound as a vessel for practicing presence. Her approach to form and process is psychological and sensory, rooted in the intent of strengthening a reflective focus toward our internal intuitive worlds. Recent interests include feedback systems, the voice, and utilization of language in performance. Her full-length album In The Tender Dream was released in August 2020 on NNA Tapes. More info & work at www.sallydecker.net.More From This Issue...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
EST 2020
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© THE QUARTERLESS REVIEW ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
EST 2020
︎
© THE QUARTERLESS REVIEW ALL RIGHTS RESERVED