Æter (2023)
Ether for stringed instruments & EBows
Dur. 10′
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Æter (2023)
Ether for stringed instruments & EBows
Dur. 10′
NOTE
Æter (English: Ether):
1. The rarefied element hypothesized by the ancients as to fill the upper regions of space.
2. A clear liquid used, especially in the past, as an anaesthetic to make people sleep before a medical operation.
3. The space through which radio waves or computer signals travel.
Guitar(s) (or guitar + electric bass)
Always play with EBow, at times also with slide. The guitar is placed on ones lap, right hand on EBow, left hand plucking or sliding.
Violin
Also control the zithers which can be placed nearby on a table or on the floor.
Piano
When playing with EBows, hold down pedal. Slowly lift pedal when making diminuendo.
× notes: dampen with fingers indside piano
NOTATION
Guitar
Mute string with finger to stop sound suddenly
Vln + Vla
Use light left hand pressure to simulate a sudden stop of tone
Piano
Lift pedal
Guitar
Apply mild pressure on string with EBow + slide to find overtone
Violin & Viola
Highest note possible
Repetitions
No pause in sound when repeating. If duration is notated it corresponds to one repetition. Follow the lead of violin 1.
Transitions
When playing with EBows make transitions as smooth as possible by lifting the EBows slowly off strings.
Tempo and Duration
Tempo is floating, depending on the time the EBows need to resonate. Sections are indicated with time suggestions, and are not exact durations. Follow lead of Vln. 1
Synchronization between the instruments is to be avoided when moving the EBows on and off the strings.
Dynamics
The piece is generally very soft. Dynamic variation appears naturally as the EBows are left on strings in order to resonante.
When playing diminuendo, always move the EBow very slowly away from the instrument unless otherwise is notated. Piano lifts pedal slowly in order to create diminuendo.
ÆTER can be performed for any stringed instrument that can be activated with an EBow (steel and nickel strings). Depending on the acoustics of the performance venue, the piece might need amplification, or the guitar(s) and piano can play through small amps. Be aware that an EBow needs some time before it starts to resonate.
o r o t he r s t r i n g e d i n s t r u m e n t s .
I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n i n t hi s v e r s i o n i s :
In this version, two zithers are included. These can be replaced by a harpsichord, clavichord, harp, or other stringed instruments.
The instrumentation in this version is:
2 Zithers (with 2 EBows each)
Grand Piano (+ 2 EBows)
Violincello
Violin
2 × Guitar (+ 2 EBows)
2 z i t he r s ( w i t h 2 e bo w s e a c h)
G r a n d P i a n o ( + 4 e bo ws )
Vi o l i n c e l l o
Vi o l i n
A c o u s t i c ba s g u i t a r ( + 1 e bo w )
A c o u s t i c g u i t a r ( + 1 e bo w )
D e m o n s t r a t i o n v i d e o s o f ho w t he e bo w s w o r k c a n be f o u n d he re :
E bo w o n a c o u s t i c g u i t a r :
ht t p s : / / w w w. g o o g l e . c o m / s e a rc h? c l i e n t = fi re f o x - b- d & q = e bo w s +
w o r k + o n + # f p s t a t e = i v e & v l d = c i d : 9 d bd 9 2 f 4,v i d : c a i L z t j- J4s
Demonstration videos of how the EBows work can be found here:
EBow on acoustic guitar: https://youtu.be/YSBMVRSogFs
E bo w o n G r a n d P i a n o : ht t p s : / / w w w yo u t u be c o m / w a t c h? v = H t S N n R s
EBow on grand piano: https://youtu.be/HtSNn_RsNLI
A B O U T T H E E B O W
T he E B o w i s p o w e re d by a 9 v o l t ba t t e r y t ha t p ro d u c e s a m a g n e t i c
d r i v e fi e l d w hi c h i n e ff e c t bo w s t he g u i t a r s t r i n g . T hi s fi e l d
e m a n a t e s f ro m t he bl u e L E D .
The EBow is powered by a 9 volt battery that produces a magnetic drive field which in effect bows the guitar string. This field emanates from the blue LED.
T he E bo w ha s t w o m o d e s o f p l a y T he re g u l a r o r s t a n d a rd
The EBow has two modes of play. The regular or standard mode favors the fundamental tones. The harmonic mode causes the string to vibrate with rich upper harmonics.
m o d e f a v o r s t he f u n d a m e n -
t a l t o n e s . T he ha r m o n i c m o d e
c a u s e s t he s t r i n g t o v i br a t e w i t h
r i c h u p p e r ha r m o n i c s .
On an electric guitar or bass, the EBow works best when placed close to the bass pickup. The EBow should rest naturally on the strings with only a light pressure against them. On deep strings, the EBow can be tilted in order to resonate better.
Off
Standard
Harmonic
O n e l e c t r i c g u i t a r o r ba s s , t he e bo w w o r k s be s t c l o s e t o t he ba s s
p i c k u p . T he E B o w s ho u l d re s t n a t u r a l l y o n t he s t r i n g s w i t h o n l y a l i g ht
t he E B o w c a n be t i l t e d i n o rd e r t o re s o n a t e be t t e r
V i o l i n 1 + Z i t h e r
V i o l i n 2 + Z i t h e r
E t h e r i c a l a n d e e r i e
F r e e p u l s e
fo r E B o w s a n d s t r i n g e d i n s t r u m e n t s E B o w s
V l n 1
V l n 2
V l n . 1
l n
E B o w o n g u i t a r , s t a n d a r d p o s i t i o n
P e d a l s t o m p
* : P l a c e E B o w s o n z i t h e r . F i n d a r a n d o m p i t c h i n m i d d l e r e g i o n .
* * : P l a c e E B o w s i n n e w r a n d o m p o s i t i o n s
S a n d r a B o s s
gliss.