DAD (2018) by Donald Bousted (1957-2021) – Microtonality in action

This piece uses the MIDI-Mallet instrument to play microtones.  This is where a MIDI instrument really shines since it is only sending instructions to play a certain key at a specific volume, the actual pitch can be variable. For example, MIDI sends instructions that a middle c has been struck but the actual sounding result could be a middle c that has been ‘moved’ 25 cents higher or lower. The piece uses a web-based microtonal tuner called Scale Workshop https://sevish.com/scaleworkshop/?version=2.1.0 created by the British programmer Sean Archibold and based on the now defunct software Lil’ Miss Scale Oven by X.J. Scott. Scale Workshop can generate any tuning and then make a script that can be imported into Kontakt or another sampling program. DAD uses a cyclic scale of a 19 division scale combined with a lovely mixture of celeste and marimba sounds to create a deeply moving work. The performer plays conventional notation in scordatura. This piece allows the student to experience new tunings and learn how expressive microtones can be..