In an earlier post I commented that I was as a point where I am about to start making major decisions about Not Less Than the Good. The complexity of this project means that each decision can possibly effect multiple aspects of the work at once.

One example is technologically motivated and seemingly minor, but will have major implications: will the field recordings be assembled into one continuous file or broken up into overlapping sections that are triggered in performance. There are two sets of considerations at play in this decision: the technical and the artistic.

From a technological standpoint, making one file is simpler. It can be triggered once at the start of the piece and then left playing until it’s over. Multiple smaller files require separate triggers throughout the piece. As of right now I am planning to play a simple synthesizer part in performance, which will run inside of Ableton Live. Any synth cues will need to fit around the sound file triggers. It’s not at all complicated, but I do need to keep that in mind as I start building.

The artistic considerations are more interesting. What do I gain by splitting the field recordings into separate sections? The biggest and most interesting possibility is being able to align certain sections of the field recordings with specific moments in the text and music. For example, I can highlight the moment when the first bird of the day starts singing. I even know where in the form I’d put this particular sound, but I don’t know how effective that moment will be. I’m also not sure what other moments like that I will be able to create by splitting the field recordings up.

Since I’m not sure what to do, perhaps I should focus on a different part of the piece—such as the variations of a Unitarian hymn that will appear  in the saxophones at intervals during the piece. It’s easy enough to work through possibilities for these until arriving at a decision that effects other layers. (I’m considering adding programmed beats under the hymn sections, which will obviously effect the other cues and playback in Ableton Live.)

It’s easier to contemplate these decisions than to actually make one right now. I’m not sure why that is. It’s tempting to spend time and effort exploring the reality of decision making, but that is a distraction I really can’t afford. Time to get to work.