Today's Featured Track - #MusicalMinute

Acoustic Performances

Collaborations

Audio Reels

Here is the audio track from today's @MusicWeeklies challenge video on #LivePerformance.  It's an improvisation on the clarinet using much of the material that I have been working with over the month.  Sadly, it's not perfect but it was great fun to do (one take, which was going to be the test!!).  Would you like me to make more live tracks?
Video link - https://youtu.be/ogFW1nPJE5s

30 Apr 21 Little Raga

This was another early improvisation.  Totally unedited - one take!

Crazy Chromatic

There are times when we are asked to take a position on something that is far from clear.  This is when I’ve found it useful to remember that the only thing that we can control is our own reasoned choice.  This morning, that reasoned choice involved a new melody, born from the decisions of the past.

26 Jan 24 Stoic Resolve

Today’s track sees the two main themes of the month coming together.  However, if you listen carefully, you’ll notice that there are probably four of them.  The snare drum adds a militaristic feel, but the tempo is not realistically one that could be marched to.  What do you think?

04 Feb 24 March of Progress?

I have always been interested in the concept of predestination, although my grasp of it is extremely superficial.  Serendipitously, an unintended consequence of producing these daily tracks, is that the act of thinking creatively provides myriad opportunities for exploring ideas.  What do you think?

07 Feb 24 Growing Momentum

Whilst it may not appear so on the micro level, we have come a long way from the viewpoint of the macro.  However, when you place that within the timescale of 4.3 billion years, the insignificance ‘may’ become apparent.  Interestingly, the imagination is able to cope with that.  What do you think?

08 Feb 24 Perpetual Journey

It is fair to say that I really love creating these tracks on a daily basis.  Is it easy?  No!  In fact, the increase in content creation and productivity that occurred during the pandemic has sometimes felt overwhelming.  However, I have always enjoyed a challenge, and value the self-imposed lessons of persistence and perseverance.

09 Feb 24 Guilty Pleasure

It could be said that life is a long journey lived one moment at a time; there is no repetition.  However, there do appear to be cycles.  This could have something to do with the nature of the universe.  I like to think that my daily tracks represent this in a microcosm, with no one piece sounding ‘exactly’ the same.  What do you think?

10 Feb 24 Long Journey

The Pipa is back!  One of the great things about rebuilding my template from scratch is that many of the legacy conflicts have disappeared.  Everything is running much more smoothly (famous last words!!).  However, there is still a lot to learn, with my imagination being the only restriction.  What do you think?

11 Feb 24 Calm Return

As you might expect, with over 4000 tracks, I sometimes unknowingly use the same title.  It seems that ‘Simple Dance’ was first used in 2016, and then again in 2017.  The music sounds very different, which is comforting.  Should I put them in a playlist for comparison?

12 Feb 24 Simple Dance

Regular listeners will know that I like to combine musical ideas in different contexts, especially towards the end of a month.  By that measure, then, today’s track is somewhat premature.  Have I peaked too early?  Only time will tell…

13 Feb 24 Making Friends

Today’s #MusicalMinute is almost a summary of the first two weeks of February in the form a musical collage.  On first hearing, it is probably difficult to discern all the melodies, especially when they are all sounding simultaneously.  That is the joy of polyphony; it is like standing in a crowd overhearing different conversations.  What do you think?

15 Feb 24 Full House

The melody in today’s #MusicalMinute first appeared in ‘Totem Dance’ at the beginning of the month.  It is a simple example of recycling and evolution, producing something new and of value in its own right.  What do you think?

21 Feb 24 Cool Promenade

Well, it has taken nearly two months for a track to be made involving Pipa, Oud and Duduk.  However, as always, there could be another meaning to the title.  In fact, there could be two!  Cryptic as always, I’ll leave you with Gran Canaria and Miami…

27 Feb 24 Long Return

Today, I thought I would give the Oud another outing.  It’s great to have its timbres within the mix, adding another colour to the audio palette.  There remains, of course, one further favourite instrument to be added.  Perhaps tomorrow?

25 Feb 24 Old Friends

More accurately, today’s #MusicalMinute should have been called ‘Another Full Moon’.  Does anyone else find the interplay of the sine waves produced by the sun and moon fascinating?  It is like a tone or rhythm being played by two celestial bodies with in the solar system.  What do you think?

24 Feb 24 Another Moon

There is nothing like a little winter sun to remind us that spring is just around the corner.  For me, these parallel 5ths create a sultry feeling of calm and relaxation, much needed in February.  What do you think?

23 Feb 24 Warm Climate

At the beginning of the year I decided to gradually rebuild my template from scratch.  Regular listeners will know that I like to combine instruments from different traditions; my favourites being the Pipa, Duduk and today’s returnee, the Oud.  I am sure that the Duduk will be joining us soon…

22 Feb 24 Look Oud's Back

Today’s #MusicalMinute concentrates on what has been going on in the background.  There is no melody as such but there are lots of muddy mid low frequencies interacting with each other.  Can you hear the instrument that was added this morning?

11 Mar 24 Murky Depths

Today’s #MusicalMinute removes one of the many veils that have been created, almost undetectably, over the last 8 years.  Music can be a great tool for journaling, meditating and brainstorming.  Sometimes, it can provide ideas for a surprising thought experiment.  What film does this remind you of?

16 Mar 24 Saving Humanity

Regular listeners will know that I like to explore how ideas evolve.  This often results in arriving at a track that is both familiar and different.  Today’s #MusicalMinute sees the violin accompaniment begin the process of stretching the palette of ideas and possibilities, ready for tomorrow’s change of direction.  What do you think?

05 Apr 24 Breaking Out

I recently watched a fascinating video about the evolution of social media and the impact it has had on creativity on the internet.  As an early adopter of the ‘www’ I have often seen it as a wonderful way to connect across the globe; to exchange ideas.  What do you think?

06 Apr 24 Next Phase

Today’s #MusicalMinute is a great example of how my tracks develop over time.  This melody was first introduced four days ago as a nod to the East, and, while the melody remains unchanged, the accompanying parts have started to grow in complexity.  Everything is recycled but the character evolves.  What do you think?

07 Apr 24 Eastern Precision

There are days when a last minute change of plans necessitates a quick solution.  Today’s #MusicalMinute is the result of having less time than I thought, and having to come up with a ‘rough and ready’ track.  How do you think it sounds?

09 Apr 24 Slow Progress

Did anyone spot the wrong notes in yesterday’s track?  I only noticed them this morning!!  Oh well…  Today’s #MusicalMinute demonstrates how a new melody can emerge even when the accompanying material is really strong.  Perhaps tomorrow we’ll keep the melody and change the accompaniment.  What do you think?

10 Apr 24 Smooth Transition

Today’s #MusicalMinute harkens back to the beginning of the month, with the title providing a clue as to which track.  It is interesting to see how a web of ideas develops over time.  I recently started exploring Obsidian, a note taking app that adapts to the way you think; I’ve always enjoyed ‘Blue Sky’ thinking!  Does anyone have any tips?

12 Apr 24 Clear Skies

I watched a really interesting video yesterday featuring a discussion between Rick Beato and Ted Gioia.  In it, they talked about the future of music and ‘market driven’ trends for short tracks/content.  Given that 99% of my tracks are a minute long, should I experiment with combining them to create longer tracks that tell the story of how the ideas evolved?

13 Apr 24 Gentle Story

Another day, another headline!  Today’s #MusicalMinute sees the return of the Duduk, an instrument I always turn to when I want to evoke humanity.  Does anyone else feel that economic tectonic plates are shifting?  Meanwhile, the music continues oblivious, with a little dance through the dimension of time…

14 Apr 24 Black Cygnet?

Today’s #MusicalMinute is supposed to reflect the delicate balance that needs to be struck when lots of different perspectives come together.  This is the art of diplomacy, and it is a skill that is much needed at the present time.  “Seek first to understand, and then to be understood”.  What do you think?

15 Apr 24 Delicate Balance

There are some ‘interesting’ notes in today’s #MusicalMinute.  I like the idea of allowing the harmonies to develop organically and seeing what emerges.  This can lead to some strange twists and turns, sometimes, with exotic results.  What do you think?

16 Apr 24 Weird Changes

Isn’t easy to just sit at home and have your life experience curated by others?  This has never been me!  Yesterday, I attended the Independent Society of Musicians AGM and members day in London.  It was great to meet fellow musicians, and discover what the ISM is doing to support the profession.

17 Apr 24 Little Frisson

It’s interesting how a small adjustment can inject energy; I wonder if this is a fundamental principle that could be implemented in other spheres.  Nicola Tesla’s quote is fascinating, “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.”  Isn't that music?  What do you think?

18 Apr 24 A little Shift

It is mind boggling to think that everything is recycled; yet, at any given point in time, it is new.  Heraclitus’ quote about never stepping in the same river twice often comes to mind when I reuse a melody.  Another quote that informs these #MusicalMinutes is by Tom Freston, “Innovation is taking two things that already exist and putting them together in a new way”.  What do you think?

19 Apr 24 Subtle Influence

Tom Freston’s quote about innovation, mentioned yesterday, had a fundamental influence on the genesis of these #MusicalMinutes back in 2013.  I have always believed that creativity is the ultimate ‘in-finite’ resource.  There are some deep philosophical and economic ideas behind all these notes.  What do you think?

20 Apr 24 Mixing it all up

Do you think that you could dance to this #MusicalMinute?  Waltzes are normally in three, and this is certainly not!  In fact, today’s track shares more in common with ’It’s a Raggy Waltz’ by Dave Brubeck.  Rhythm fascinates me, especially as it is one of the three things that Nikola Tesla thought we should think in terms of.  What do you think

21 Apr 24 Waltz Hesitato

Yesterday’s #MusicalMinute was a strange waltz, and today we continue with the dance theme by creating a duet featuring two of this month’s main melodies.  As in every relationship, there are lots of tensions and resolutions, but the overall result is extremely worthwhile.  What do you think?

22 Apr 24 Pas de deux

This is what happens when you playfully turn something upside down to see what happens!  Perspective and perception are similar words; each allowing for multiple versions of an event to be re-cognised.  Creativity and imagination enable multiple viewpoints to be explored, something closed minds find difficult.  What do you think?

23 Apr 24 Inverted View

Today’s #MusicalMinute contains lots of melodies, each one vying for your attention.  This is what it can feel like, living in the Information Age.  Step back, and there is a dialogue between rhythm, suspension, dissonance and harmony.  What do you think?

24 Apr 24 Mixed Messages

There are lots of short notes in today’s #MusicalMinute but there don’t seem to be many silences.  For some reason this makes me think about pointillism and the atomic structure of matter.  One of the benefits of daily creativity is that it allows for random thoughts and ideas.  What do you think?

25 Apr 24 Plucky Interlude

I have always been interested in the law of cause and effect — nothing happens in isolation.  But is this always true?  To me, creativity is a series of conscious and unconscious decisions.  Could today’s #MusicalMinute have been predicted?  Is the track the result of a series of predetermined choices?  What do you think?

26 Apr 24 Logical Evolution?

This is another track from 2008 when I was experimenting with the idea of free improvisation and and one take!!  Probably a bit cautious but then quite calming.

Calm Beginning

I was very honoured and surprised to receive a track from Gyula (KONOKUNOK) a couple of days ago.  I hope this lives up to expectations.

Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!!

Praeditos - KONOKUNOK and Graham Casey

Shorter version of Free Improvisation Concert on 31 July 2012.

Unround Dance remixed

Audioreel June 2019

Audioreel August 2019

Audioreel September 2019

Audioreel October 2019

Click on this link to see how I created this file.

https://youtu.be/ZKaHaLCzyj4

Thanks for listening and;

Happy New Year!

With all my best wishes.

Audioreel December 2019

Free Improvisation on the clarinet with midi foot controller.  Using microtonals, multiphonics, glissandi, all sorts.  This was recorded at a time when I felt that huge errors were being made with the economy - This is how I felt!!

I used it in my son's primary school as a creative catalyst.  Excellent ideas from 10 and 11 year olds.

Unfortunately in 2009 I was diagnosed with GBS (Guillain Barre Syndrome).  Well on the mend now; just need to get really fit again......

http://youtu.be/alBJ3wfHVNI

Madness

This is my first ever collaboration on Soundcloud, what great fun!!  Definitely not the finished article!  I hope you enjoy!



Axel's Samoa, extended (Graham Casey - clarinet)

I started composing daily pieces and posting them onto SoundCloud at the beginning of 2013.  By posting daily I am tweaking, experimenting and developing a thought, idea or event in time.  I am endeavouring to show that there is no limit to that creative spark that lies within each of us.  So much of what we do nowadays is about instant return, I am about evolution not revolution (although each month starts with a clean slate).  Join me on my journey to 10,000 (18 May 2040!!!)

Over the years I have found the Soundcloud community to be extremely supportive and encouraging.  It’s great to have a Global Mastermind of musical adventurers.

Thank you!

Graham Casey

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