Xenharmonic Keyboards
Timmy James B
TBD
Tuning by frequency ratios is an ancient technology. 12edo (standard tuning) is significantly younger. A single note plays a chord of harmonics. 12edo is an approximation of low complexity harmonics from the harmonic series. Modern keyboards such as the mosaichord and xen grid can help us access ancient tuning technology. This allows us to access the harmonic series in a direct way. This installation uses two different modern keyboards to access the oldest notes. The strobe tuner visualizes frequency ratios.
About the Artist
Timmy James Barnett is passionate about the philosophy of FLO (Free/Libre/Open) software. He is happy to be using GNU/Linux and FLO software he wrote for his performances with GNU/Linux Loves All and !mindparade. His music is inspired by FLO technologies including GNU/Linux, Matthew Autry’s skip-fretting, Kite guitar, and Jim Snow’s Mosaichord. These technologies have connected him with older notes that have been covered up by modern standard tuning. Rather than being limited to just one tuning, Timmy’s music is inspired by both the harmonic series and various edos beyond 12edo (known as standard tuning). He finds a unique sound from the intersection between ancient tuning theory, modern music technology, and a FLO philosophy.
