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I. Introduction (Part 2)The primary reason for the reluctance to study his music is due to the fact that Partch composed for an orchestra of instruments that he designed and constructed himself. The need for new instruments was the direct result of his aesthetics, which required musical tones that do not otherwise exist in Western music. These new instruments, and “new” tones, in turn, demanded a new system with which to notate his compositions. Partch used a tablature system that was specific to each instrument. Tablature notation gives directions to a performer based on the instrument to be used. Therefore, in order to follow his scores, one must be familiar with each unique instrument. All these factors have created a set of encumbrances that make Partch’s music inaccessible to most music students. >>..contd
Diamond Marimba Cone Gong and Gourd Tree Spoils of War [For other examples of Partch’s instruments, go to the following sites: http://musicmavericks.publicradio.org/features/feature_partch.html]
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