Dimensional Analysis
When we set out to compose a piece of music that incorporated dimensional ideas, we had to consider the various dimensions involved with music. Pitch refers to the way we perceive the frequency of sound waves. Timbre is the term given to our interpretation of the shape of said sound waves which determines the sound quality, and tonal characteristics of a given "voice" or instrument. Volume is how we perceive changes in the amplitude of waves. Tempo is the pace of the music, determined by the amount of measures in a given period of time. The key signature of a piece defines the scale which is used to create subsequent melodies, and chord progressions. All of these dimensions can be changed in various ways at different times to give a complete musical performance. In our piece we attempted to integrate various developments in these dimensions to present a multi-dimensional musical thought with some substance. Pitch is very easy to modulate, it only involves playing different notes. This was accomplished in the piece's various themes. We experimented along the axis of timbre by incorporating different instruments at different times. Visually, these wave forms had different initial shapes, and aurally, they are perceived as sounding different. Volume was controlled with various fades in and out to change the overall size of the waves. We manipulated the tempo in one particular section where the change is quite noticeable. At the same time, we created the impression of "speeding up" by subdividing existing measures of music into more parts. Specifically, we can take four beats and play four notes to them, or 5 or 6, etc. For each iteration, the duration of the individual notes decreases, more notes are present in the same amount of time, and subsequently, a sense of motion is created. The key signature was modulated at several points in the piece, and it is an interesting fact that these changes are quite noticeable. This shows how the key signature of a piece can create such a strong orientation to one set of notes, and chords. When it changes, listeners are aware that the new chords or notes don't sound right in the original context. These were the ways in which we experimented with dimensionality in our composition.
Here are some snapshots of what the music making program looked like as the music was being written:
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