Tool Music

[rollhead]

I can't believe that given the plethera of avant-garde artiste acolytes of the aural (or AAAA) who post here there isn't a thread on Tool Music already.

Just how much in the *future* are you?

Not too far, I'd say.

There is a whole world of *incredible* tool music happening -- but because it is rarely recorded, and people rarely *pay* to hear tool music, it really doesn't get the credit that it deserves.

Most "tool music" jams are impromptu affairs, held when -- using the lastest in WiFi and GPS technology -- numerous tool music aficianados/geniuses gather together to produce this "cutting edge" form of art.

For the most part, "tool music" is created "alfresco" because just the act of being inside four walls can be deadening.

Why isn't it recorded? Because anything that was recorded would -- by definition -- be considered "passe," dead, moribund. Why listen to "dead" music?

Even the act of photography is considered by many AAAA to potentially "steal the spirit" of tool music. How can one truly improvise, if you are worried about the state of your comb-over or the rakish angle of your beret as you play?

While some of the music that is promoted on here might superficially be considered -- free or atonal, or whatever -- it hasn't shuffled off the limiting coil of Western music.

While much of the avant garde takes baby steps toward the infinite possiblities of our favored art form, Tool Music truly leaps fearlessly into the abyss ... and reveals the multitudinous and kalidescopic possibilities of aural art. (I prefer the term "aural art," given that music is bound in an historical straightjacket.)

It is hard for me to describe the sound of tool music -- but imagine it as being emitted eons ago -- long before the arrival of our "intelligent designer."

Tool music is the sound of the Ur Tone -- the original tone -- the sub-atomic tone. Tones that not even the nuclear clock in Greenwich can subdivide.

While the music of the past has only been echoes out of Platos cave, "tool aural art" is what you might describe as the Platonic ideal of art.



Tool Music is a sound that moves eons beyond microtonality and was first heard with early experiments with the digitalization of the microtonal instruments of Harry Partch.

Indeed, it was only when scientists at MIT and Cal Tech and at Roswell, NM, tried to digitally translate the sounds of Partch's Boo II and "Cloud Chamber" instruments.



During this research, a shocking discovery was made -- some of those sounds could be replicated -- if not in the same timbre -- by some off-the-shelf Craftsmen power tools and even hand tools.

This discovery opened the door to the creation of AAAA by the hoi polloi. Anyone who had access to Sears Roebuck had access to art. You could throw out your Stradivarious and your Selmer Mark VI.

Call it "the aural art with a thousand faces."

While some of the elite at this institutions of higher learning tried to keep this information secret, others -- such as a songwriter for the Grateful Dead -- wanted an "open system" of tool aural art.

Thus, tool music, 1.0 was born. The *asonishing* medical benefits of tool music were the first seriously studied, as the sound of "tool aural art" was found to lower blood pressure, and in some cases -- actually reverse or forestall the onset of arthritis, Altzheimers disease and other degenerative diseases. While these *groundbreaking* studies have not been formalized -- the early results have been positive.

Others -- myself included -- were interested in "tool aural art" entirely for aestetic reasons. l'art pour l'art.

I am sure most of you can understand.

Unfortunately, there is a steep "learning curve" for those of you interested in "tool aural art." While its practicioners are not by their nature "secretive," they tend to be very careful which artists to allow into their covens (yes, i know, an unfortunate designation). The are reluctant to let ANYONE in for fear of being infiltrated by FBI agents or other representatives of the U.S. Patriot Act.

If you are intersted in taking part, I would suggest getting an audio enhancer, such as the one shown here:



If you go out to the edge of a large wooded area, you might actually be able to hear "tool aural art" without directly participating. However, I would urge you not to stay in this "pirate" mode too long. You owe it to the AAAA to reveal yourself, and perhaps help with providing snack foods.

[rollhead]

Steve(thelil), asked me if I would consider Tool Music "minty."

(I don't know about you guys, but I sometimes have problems taking Steve(thelil)'s questions seriously. But I try to humor him.)

I can only say that tool music transcends the earthly bounds of that prosaic herb.

Once you had tool music, you can't go back to just mint.

It is like comparing a box of Altoids to the Mother Sauces.

Blasphemy.

[John L]

You should publish this one, Rollhead.

[Gentle Giant]

[Gary Sisco]

Shit's for tools.

[rollhead]

GG:

That album cover is really precient given the direction Tool Music is headed.

I have heard that oen of the more "advanced" Tool Music covens, based in Washington state, is working with Microsoft to develop a kind of "aural Xbox" that will bypass the ears as a entry point for "aural art."

They are creating what might best be called -- USB plugs for the brain and body.

It will open the door to a lot more Tool Music artists, who don't have the time or the interest in hauling around, power strips, generators, band saws, power sanders, etc.

As for me, I am old fashioned. I am going to stick to my Craftsman circular saw. I consider it the the Selmer Mark VI tenor sax of Tool Music.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

Shit's for tools.

Well said.

If beans are the musical fruit, tool music truly does take cutting the cheese to a celestial level.

It's like slicing into a nice, ripe Stilton.

[Doc Martin]

can't believe that given the plethera of avant-garde artiste acolytes of the aural (or AAAA) who post here there isn't a thread on Tool Music already.

Me either! It's about damn time.

Indeed, it was only when scientists at MIT and Cal Tech and at Roswell, NM, tried to digitally translate the sounds of Partch's Boo II and "Cloud Chamber" instruments.

While some of the elite at this institutions of higher learning tried to keep this information secret, others -- such as a songwriter for the Grateful Dead -- wanted an "open system" of tool aural art.

I’ve also heard there is research going on at Cambridge and Oxford Universities. They plan a race later this year.
I’m with John Perry Barlow on this, screw the Brits, and their hats, blazers and those little fucking snooty ties they like to wear so much.

Thus, tool music, 1.0 was born. The *asonishing* medical benefits of tool music were the first seriously studied, as the sound of "tool aural art" was found to lower blood pressure, and in some cases -- actually reverse or forestall the onset of arthritis, Altzheimers disease and other degenerative diseases. While these *groundbreaking* studies have not been formalized -- the early results have been positive.

I’m proud to say I’m ahead of the curve here; tool music soothes the savage beast.

Others -- myself included -- were interested in "tool aural art" entirely for aestetic reasons. l'art pour l'art.

I am sure most of you can understand.

Dig it!

Unfortunately, there is a steep "learning curve" for those of you interested in "tool aural art." While its practicioners are not by their nature "secretive," they tend to be very careful which artists to allow into their covens

I know, last night I was invited to jam session, but those cats just couldn’t dig what I was putting down. I think I need to do some tool shedding.

You owe it to the AAAA to reveal yourself, and perhaps help with providing snack foods.

I’ll bring the twinkies!

Peace Brother

[walto]

Really funny piece, Rollie.

Originally Posted by rollhead

I can't believe that given the plethera of avant-garde artiste acolytes of the aural (or AAAA) who post here there isn't a thread on Tool Music already.

I think there's some tool based discussion on eai threads.

[Jon Abbey]

yep, mostly regarding Ben Watson.

[rollhead]

I know Ben Watson. He came to me for an Exorcism.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Doc Martin

I’ll bring the twinkies!

Peace Brother

You, fuck. You've been holding out on me.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by walto

Really funny piece, Rollie.

Ummmm.... whose joking?

I think you need to be fitted for a UBS port.

[rollhead]

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Doc Martin[color=black

I’ve also heard there is research going on at Cambridge and Oxford Universities. They plan a race later this year. [/color]
I’m with John Perry Barlow on this, screw the Brits, and their hats, blazers and those little fucking snooty ties they like to wear so much.

Call me a purist, but I don't like the idea of racing with "Tool Music Mobiles." What with their solar panels sticking out like the flying nun trying to take off, I think it is degrading to the movement.



But, whatever makes things more festive.

For me, I like my Tool Music straight up.

Private Note to Doc: Damn, are you sure you wanted to blow John Perry Barlow's cover on this? I thought just saying "Gratful Dead songwriter," would be vague enough to protect his anonymity.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by achilles

I think there's some tool based discussion on eai threads.

Tools talking is often confused with tool music discussions.

But it is a common mistake, there is no need to be embarrassed.

[Gentle Giant]

Genius at work.

[Doc Martin]

Originally Posted by rollhead

Private Note to Doc: Damn, are you sure you wanted to blow John Perry Barlow's cover on this? I thought just saying "Gratful Dead songwriter," would be vague enough to protect his anonymity.

I owe him one. Payback baby!

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Doc Martin

I’m proud to say I’m ahead of the curve here; tool music soothes the savage beast.

Doc, I am interested in knowing if there have been any studies on how specific species respond to Tool Music.

Is there a difference?

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

Genius at work.

Looks like John Perry Barlow with a power drill. one of my "Tool Music Favorites."

There has been some work done with dental drills, as well, but it has a potential for abuse.

There was an incident in which some wanna-be AAAA practicioners abused the art form, and it really gave the movement a black eye.



I don't recommend this.

[rollhead]

I am thinking of switching to a battery-powered model.

[rollhead]

It was Conlan Nancarrow who first gave me the idea of programming my power saw.



Of course, this was 30 years, ago, so I had to use punch cards, using an old "accounting computer."



Now, things are much simplier -- I am sure I can hook my blackberry up to my portable saw.

Of course, with any ground-breaking movement, one can take the portable computer aspect of the art too far -- in my judgment, it is about the ART -- not the technology.

For example, here is an example of a Tool Music coven that let "technology" overcome the true mission of the movement:

[Doc Martin]

Originally Posted by rollhead

I am thinking of switching to a battery-powered model.

I like to play acoustic, myself



Having said that; John Perry Barlow thinks I’m a motherfucker on the electric router.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Doc Martin

I like to play acoustic, myself

You always struck me as a sentimentalist, what with your love of all things fuzzy and cuddly.

But, I, too, have a soft spot in my heart for "unplugged" tool music.

For people who think Tool Music is a nascent art form, I always remind them of its long and glorious traditions

[rollhead]

While I said in the initial post on this thread that Tool Music is rarely recorded, there are some bootleg copies of LPs floating around out there.

I recently had the good fortune of having one of these recordings come into my possession. (Please dont' ask how.)

[scrotum boy]

I amplify the sound of a waterpik against my face and moan at the same time.

I guess I'm too much of a traditionalist to consider tools as lead musical instruments, but my Mom's boyfriend and me think they're perfect for accompaniment.

PS. Definitely minty.

[walto]

[Doc Martin]

Originally Posted by rollhead

For people who think Tool Music is a nascent art form, I always remind them of its long and glorious traditions

Are you proficient on the Rollator?

[scrotum boy]

Originally Posted by walto

Truth is stranger than friction.

Walto, are you saying that the pictured project involves the sound of a screwdriver (either real or impressionistic) , or are you just saying those 3 guys are tools?