http://unrecnow.com/dust/audio/icePiano2010.mp3

(listen/download here)

for the past several years i have been making contact mic recordings of hail falling on the exposed tines of toy pianos. the result really sounds like some kind of mix of granular synthesis and minimal jazz.

it is also a tricky endeavor… because you never quite know when a hailstorm will hit.  we have had quite a few days over the last week here in portland with hail so i had this rig put together ready to go when i was lucky enough to be home to catch it.  it is the first time that i have used two contact mics on the same piano. there is a little bit of a stereo effect but nothing major.

my next attempt will be a duet for ice and toy pianos.

here is an older recording (w/ photos) from 2006

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p.s. happy birthday taylor.

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just a few water color igloos. i guess i have snow on the brain this week… maybe a ski trip is in order.

i just got back from my first trip skiing in about 10 years.  it was so much fun. i have no idea why i hadn’t gone before this.  this lights were beautiful in the mist.