Polyglots - for four performers using instruments and Duolingo + video [2020]

PERFORMANCE SCORE

MATTHEW GROUSE

Polyglots for four performers using instruments and Duolingo

(2020)

Stage plan and signal flow:

Speaker 1

Projection Screen

Speaker 2

Fifth laptop remote controlling the laptops of the 4 performers in TeamViewer and sending signal to projector (via HDMI or otherwise) – This laptop should be silent.

Mixer

Performer 1 (at table with laptop and instruments – output laptop audio to mixer’s main outs & USB headset simultaneously)

Performer 2

Performer 3

Performer 4

(at table with laptop and instruments – output laptop audio to mixer’s main outs & USB headset simultaneously)

(at table with laptop and instruments – output laptop audio to mixer’s main outs & USB headset simultaneously)

(at table with laptop and instruments – output laptop audio to mixer’s main outs & USB headset simultaneously)

Stool with call bell

Audience Video Projection: A live, four-way, screen-sharing split-screen of each performer’s laptop should be projected as they use Duolingo. For the premiere (March 2020), the chosen method was to use the VNC program TeamViewer. For this option, all performers and the fifth idle laptop should have a separate TeamViewer account and have the program downloaded. In advance of the performer, the fifth, idle laptop must take remote control of each performer’s laptop one by one (Remote control > insert performer’s ID and password). ’sMake sure each performer minimises main outs) the TeamViewer panel. Once each of the four performer’s screens can be viewed on the fifth screen, resize the windows into the following arrangement:

. A more expensive but “cleaner” solution would be to use four capture cards to take in the signal from each of the laptops / computers and then do some reframing of the matrices in Max/Jitter. For this option, the following tutorial may be helpful: https://docs.cycling74.com/max5/tutorials/jit-tut/jitterchapter13.html . Other options include using four separate projectors; using a video conferencing app like Zoom.us that facilitates multi-user screen sharing; OR live streaming to Twitch (www.twitch.tv). Use whatever means available to project all of the performer’s screens simultaneously.

. Strong internet connection is completely essential for a successful performance of the piece.

It may be appropriate for each performer to set up an individual mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, to tether data to their laptop. . A single call bell is placed on a stool in front of the performer’s tables. The stool should not obscure the audience’s view of the performers. . 1 performer has a sports whistle or sound device to trigger a sample of a starting pistol Each performer has the following items at hand / on their table: . 1x laptop running the desktop version of Duolingo (http://www.duolingo.com) . 1x USB headset with microphone (on head at all times to answer the speaking questions)* . 1x Instrument / voice (acoustic or electronic) capable of playing pitches (minimum 2 octave range)**. Choose the instrument / voice that you feel you have the highest level of competency in. This will be referred to as your native instrument. . 1x additional instrument / voice (acoustic or electronic) capable of playing pitches (minimum 2 octave range). Choose an instrument / voice which you have almost zero competency in / confidence in playing accurately, but that you can still produce sounds with.

It should be a genuine struggle to accurately perform the notated events on the chosen instrument. It is advised that you avoid instruments like pitched percussion or electronic samplers, and instead choose something where there is a high likelihood that some sounds will be out of tune or ‘break’ easily. This will be referred to as a foreign instrument. * Each performer’s individual laptop audio should be sent through their USB headset as well as routed to the main outs – on Mac, this can be done by creating an aggregate device in Audio Midi Setup. Each performer should set their laptop’s input to the USB headset. Each headset’s microphone signal should be outputted through the mixer to the main outs. ** If triggering pitches electronically e.g. with a Novation Launchpad or Ableton Push, it is important that only a single pitch or chord is mapped to a single button to make sure it is not TOO easy to play any of the ‘consequences’. If your native instrument is piano, due to stage space, it is advised that you choose a small keyboard instrument like a toy piano / keyboard or melodica.

GROUND RULES: . Don’t hover over words to reveal their meaning in your native language (don’t cheat!) – If you don’t know how to translate something, take a guess and if you’re incorrect, Duolingo reveals the correct answer, which you’ll have the chance to rectify later. . Musical consequences for correct answers should be performed as fast as possible, but never so fast that you cannot play them. Musical consequences for incorrect answers should be played tentatively, at a careful speed. . You cannot opt out or skip all or part of a musical consequence. . You cannot restart a lesson (or choose a different lesson) unless there is a problem with connecting to Duolingo / the internet. Once a lesson is started, you must keep going with it. . There should be a HIGH likelihood that you will get at least a few questions wrong during the first movement. Do not over-practise / make sure you’re not too competent!

Variable duration (the piece ends when a performer wins) Pol ygl ots was written fo r C u rre n t Re so nan ce an d prem ie red a t Pulsa r Fe stiva l in Co pen ha ge n, Ma rch 2020 . © 2020 Matt he w Grous e

Polyglots for Current Resonance

Matthew Grouse (b.1996)

Pre-performance: . Pick a language from the Duolingo course list, which you would consider yourself to have zero to low competency in. Also choose and acquire a foreign instrument. No two performers should choose the same language from the Duolingo course list. For sonic variety, try to collectively establish instrumental / vocal diversity. It is more than okay however if one performer’s native instrument is the same as another performer’s foreign instrument. . Do as many (or as few) Duolingo lessons of your chosen course as desired in the run up to the performance. It is important that each performer starts the performance with 0xp of their daily goal, therefore it may be useful to use a different account when practising on the day of the performance. . With regards to practising your foreign instrument, prioritise learning how to create pitches (2 octave range). It is more than okay if you don’t manage to convincingly, confidently or consistently produce the pitches by the performance. Embrace imperfection and vulnerability. . Familiarise yourself with which musical consequences you must play after answering certain types of questions. This is detailed in the table on the following page. . In Duolingo, go to settings > coach > and choose the ‘insane’ daily goal (50xp per day).

Performance: . One performer blows a whistle or triggers a sample of a starting pistol to mark the beginning of the piece. . Race to achieve the daily goal (50xp). After every question, before pressing ‘continue’ to move on, you must perform a musical consequence, details of which can be seen in the table on the next page. If you get the question correct, the consequence is performed on your native instrument. If you get the question incorrect, the consequence is performed on your foreign instrument. . Each time you finish a lesson, you should stand up, wait for the attention of the other performers and then perform your victory figure on your native instrument. Wait to be applauded by other performers and then sit back down to start the next lesson. . Each time another performer stands up to perform their victory figure, you must stop what you’re doing, turn to watch them and as soon as they finish playing, applaud them as seen below. Try to synchronise clapping without looking at other performers.

. If you are the first to reach your daily goal, take off your headset, exit the lesson and select Duolingo’s ‘more…’ tab at the top of the page. Go to dictionary and type the following phrase (or equivalent in your native language): “I am the winner!”

Take stock of the translation then quickly stand up and move to centre stage next to the call bell. Face straight forward, addressing the audience. In a confident voice and your best accent, say the translated phrase e.g. “Jeg er vinderen!” (if you chose the Danish Duolingo course). Ring the call bell to end the piece.

Duolingo Question Categories:

Musical Consequences: (PLAY IN ANY KEY!) Correct – native instrument: confidently, as fast as possible Incorrect – foreign instrument: tentatively, at a careful speed

Multiple Choice (any) Example question types (not an exhaustive list):

Ascending major arpeggio (2 8ve):

“Speak this sentence”

Descending minor arpeggio (2 8ve):

. What do you hear? . Which one of these is … ? (pictures) . Mark the correct meaning . Tap the pairs . Select the correct translation . Fill in the blanks

Listen to the phrase in the course language, then click the microphone icon and say it back, speaking as clearly as possible.

“Write what you hear” – Native language

Ascending major scale (1 8ve):

Listen to the phrase in the course language, then write it in your native language / Use the wordbank to answer if applicable

“Write what you hear” – Course language

Descending harmonic minor scale (1 8ve):

Listen to the phrase in the course language, then write it in the course language / Use the wordbank to answer if applicable

“Write this in your native language” Type the answer

Ascending major cycle of fifths:

/ OR

“Translate this sentence” course > native Type the answer OR use the wordbank

“Write this in the course language” Type the answer

Descending minor cycle of fifths:

/ OR

“Translate this sentence” native > course Type the answer OR use the wordbank

Fill in the blanks / Miscellaneous Questions:

Type the answers to fill in the blanks / As Duolingo is regularly updated, not all question types are listed here. If a question type / category comes up that isn’t identified above, play this musical consequence.

Ascending or descending 6 note whole tone: Play in a high register relative to your instrument OR

Victory Figures: (all written at concert pitch – transpose if applicable. Always played on native instrument) You can play your victory figure in any octave (and vary the octave after completing each lesson if desired).

Unlike the musical consequences, which can be played in any key, victory figures are to be played in F# major (concert pitch)

Performer 1:

Performer 2:

Performer 3:

Performer 4: