PREFACE
This is the written supplement to pod-cast #1 for brass-players.
http://soundcloud.com/markusmusic-1/brass-instructional-1
Foreword
The carnyx is an ancient instrument, shrouded in myth, it is a rich western tradition of sound-making pre-dating Christianity, 3000 years in the making.
From the writings of classical Greek and Roman historians we are aware that large iron-age wind instruments were used for theatrical effect, as well as communication on the battle-field. The carnyx is as impressive to behold with the eyes, as it is devastatingly ferocious as a sounding weapon.
We will address issues of visual and theatrical aides, in the later pod-casts of this series.
For examples of current research and recreations of the sound of the ancient carnyx, please consult the work of Trombonist John Kenny at [www.carnyxscotland.co.uk]
CARNYX AS BASIC BRASS TUBULAR RESONATOR
The BRACU (or pitch) technique of the carnyx is limited to manipulations of the harmonic series of the instrument. When recreating the performance technique of the carnyx on modern brass-instruments it will be important to reduce all techniques to a single fundamental, unless otherwise instructed.
THE CARNYX FIRST PARTIAL
The simplest technique, in the contemporary adaptation of carnyx performance, is the drone-tone. This fundamental pitch will be referred to as the BUNDA (base).
The Bunda can be applied and colourised in a number of ways including:
- [MENHIR] ceaseless droning
- [GU LEOR] dynamic swell to loud
- [CRION] dynamic swell to soft
- [BANATLO] dynamic swell from soft to loud to soft
- [RUSCO] sfortzando attacks
- [BATTU] accentuate with pulse
- [BOURACH] instrument shake effects
- [CEANIM] tone vibration (vibrato)
- [DRULLO] double and triple tonguing attacks
- [YCHAK] flutter tonguing
- [BRUGE HIR] multiphonics (harmonic)
- [BRUGE BANATLO] multiphonics (inharmonic)
- [BRACU VIRU BUNDA] change fundamental
THE CARNYX SECOND PARTIAL
The second partial may be freely interchanged with pitch-effects on the BUNDA (fundamental).
Repeat the techniques aforementioned with the second partial, as with the first.
For reference, please use the following diagram to map the BRACU spectrum of the carnyx:
 |
| The B-harmonic series with notes. All bracket pitches are used as sub-sets in the pitch content of Kenny's 'Voice of the Carnyx'. |
WARRIOR WORDS
The words of the FIANNA-CYNNING [band leader] will instruct the brass-player what type of tone to play.
This band-leader will exclaim the aforementioned techniques, commands that will instruct the brass-player when, and with which technique, the BUNDA should be colourised.
VOCABULARY [for reference]:
ALLU [gaullish] - to go
AWEN [welsh] - to blow
BANATLO [gaullish] - sweep
BATTU [gaullish] - to beat
BOURACH [scots]- mess
BUNDA [gaullish] - base
BRACU [gaullish] - pitch
BRUGE [gaullish] - to roar
CANTIGA [gaullish] - song
CEARR [scots]- left
CEANIM [irish]- to wail
CRION [scots]- to shrink
CLOCH [welsh]- bell
DRULLO [gaullish] - shred
FIANNA [irish]- small band of warriors
GU LEOR [scots]- until enough
GOBE [gaulish]- mouth
HANVAL [breton]- similar
KYBOSH [irish]- to end
MENHIR [cornish]- long foundation
MOD [scots]- assemble
RUSCO [gaullish] - bark
SHINDIG [scots]- skip and jump
SLUAGH GHAIRM [scots]- battle-cry
TAK / TAKA [scots]- take
TOIR [irish]- to persue
TOISEACH [scots]- front
VIRU [gaullish] - to deviate, veer
YCHAK [welsh]- gross
YCH A FI [welsh]- gross
MARKOLIVERIO
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