Rhythm and Light
Visual Suite (I) for the Deaf
Dr. Abdelwahab, M.A.fattah
IDEA
This composition consists of three movements:” Duration”, “Accent”, and “Tempo”. The composition should be played by the Deaf. The composer translates the rhythmic time elements from a sound state to a visual state. He uses patterns of light and colors and creates an especial music notation of some visual symbols to achieve this goal.
INSTRUMENTATION
This suite is written for three light flashers. This will be done with a neutral white color. These flashers must be arranged as follows; number one on the audience's left of the stage, number two in the middle, and number three on the audience's right of the stage. These flashers must be hung form the ceiling and shine down on the stage. These flashers must be easy to turn off and on; and they must be able to turn on and off quickly at all degrees of light brightness. One of the flashers must have a slide feather switch for the feathers movement. The two other flashers must have an after touch switch similar to a key board or synthesizer.
PLAYERS
This composition is written to be performed by three deaf adolescents (15-17). The performers will sit adjacent to the light which represents their portion of the composition. Each performer will sit on the stage underneath the light that corresponds with what he/she will play. The performers will utilize the light switches directly in front of them on the table.
(I)
Duration
Duration means here how long sound event stays; how long light event stays on. This movement is written for two white color flashers (# 1 and 2). The first flasher performs the duration of lights and second plays regular gleam as an optical metronome.
(II)
Accent
This movement is written for two white color flashers (# 1 and 2). The first flasher performs the tones with different accent; the second plays regular gleam as an optical metronome.
Accent refers to how fast the act of beginning of each gleam “attack”. This beginning could be strong or weak. The gleam will be pulsed if the attack would be very quickly. The ending of the gleam act “release” could be too string or weak. The flasher switch of light equipment has to be very good quality, able to perform “after touch’’ and to switch On/Off very easily.
(III)
Tempo
This movement is written for one white color flasher (# 3). The composer changes the speeds of the light sequences. He uses too light accelerando and rallentando.
