soundspace

Another new venture, this time with intercultural musicians, improvisation and a surround sound PA system from industry partners, Acoustic Technologies.

We had an interesting, fun gig recently at the Queensland Conservatorium courtyard (in the centre of the building) here in Brisbane on 3 Nov. 2010. Speakers and artists semi-obscured around the mini-rainforest here.

More about the soundspace concept, scores and pictures available at www29.griffith.edu.au/soundspace.

New music - a six month retrospective

Lots of playing and jamming of the last six moths. Hope some might enjoy the work, but be a little warned - much is this is strictly improvisation, warts and all. A few have been edited a little to simply shorten, a couple of others have some Apple loops dropped in here and there. Still, the sounds are interesting . .


New pages, the last six months and MP3s available at www29.griffith.edu.au/imersd/draper/music

Many thanks to collaborators: Bob Peele (drums), John Stefulj (wind and percussion), Bart Stenhouse (bass and guitar), Frank Millward (keys), Peter Walters (bass).

ISME Beijing 2010

A wonderful diversion. Last week we had the pleasure of presenting at and attending the International Music Education Society (ISME) 29th World Conference in Beijing.

Along with others from the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, myself and colleague Scott Harrison presented a research paper entitled, Reflecting on reflection-in-action: Supervising practice-based doctorates in music.

What an incredible – and gigantic city! The culture, the friendliness and the wonderful music and art will never be forgotten.

Below, here's a slideshow with images from around Beijing, from the conference & music underscore from the spectacular Chinese opening ceremony.

Some of all of the Blues

Another step along the way . . Some of All of the Blues.mp3

Have been playing every Friday, my University Research Day. Jamming really, working out the guitars and chop-building with good friend, drummer Bob Peele at his recording and teaching studio here in Brisbane.

One of the instrument projects has been re-building this 1990 made-in-Nashville burgundy Les Paul Custom. [once owned and well-cared for by a elderly musician in Cairns who bought it new].

Has taken just a few late nights and much advice from My Les Paul Forums - completely re-wired internally, shielded with copper foil; Lindy Fralin 'Pure PAF' pickups, Tonepros/ Graphtech bridge and a great deal of messing with pot values and caps (tone, tone . . ).

In any case, here's one of the rather self-indulgent, but nice free-form blows . . take on Miles' All Blues giving the Les Paul & kit a workout. Some of All of the Blues.

Guitar sounds are though a stereo amp rig: a Fender tweed Hot Rod Deluxe (JJ tubes, Eminence Cannabis Rex hemp cone speaker, and one of the Fromel HRD mod kits), and a Suhr Badger. The board is a Vox Tonelab SE30.

I hope someone enjoys!