About this project
Thank you for looking in here to my little spot on KickStarter...!
: )
About The Music:(This links to selected tracks from this project.)
This music is made on a grand piano, using both 'alternative' and traditional methods of playing the instrument, and capturing, layering, and looping these tracks with a laptop computer. A microphone, and an electro-magnetic piano 'pick-up', (not unlike those found on electric guitars), are used to record the piano. In some cases, simple audio processing is performed to enhance the sounds (reverbs, delays, distortion, etc.). The compositions are inspired by the technique(s), and showcase the beautiful hidden voices that can be found in a grand piano. (I can barely stand on the shoulders of Henry Cowell and John Cage - look them up if you're not familiar with these pioneers - but am thankful for their insights into playing the instrument 'with a twist'.) - These recordings were made on the piano in my living room over the course of the past two years, and have been described as being "other-worldly", "amazing", and "Beautiful... WAY. Beautiful." by some who have heard them, or seen them being made. (My favorite comment is a recent one from a youtube user who said "BEWARE THE POWER OF THE GRAND PIANO".)
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Have a listen to these sample tracks.
The (short) Story:
I've been performing, composing, and recording music for a long time. While I have made some money doing so (i.e. no "crushing success" story to be told here :), I have had some 'success' - the measure of which is that I've had the honor of bringing some 'musical joyness moments' to a few people along the way, and I've certainly enjoyed having the opportunity to work with some great artists, and make some interesting music, too.
I've worked with a wide variety of instruments, synthesizers, and recording devices/methods along this long 'recording road' that I've traveled, but I've always felt like the acoustic piano is 'home' for me.
But, in all of the years I've been playing, performing, and composing with the piano, I've never recorded a "solo piano" project. - Why is that?
Certainly the expense of studio time/tech with a grand piano had been a barrier for years, - but beyond that, I've always felt that there must be 10,000 "solo piano" CDs out there -many of them quite lovely - ranging from the classical to the contemporary - so "why bother?".
During the last three years, (after considerable expense for a grand piano, a nicer laptop, and other various elements of making this music), I've been working on material for a solo-piano CD that I feel is unique; that might stand out a bit from the others in it's use of the WHOLE instrument, - and reflects the techniques I've developed over the years, when playing the grand piano.
Now, with this 'hidden voices of the grand piano' project, I feel ready to release this solo-piano CD that is long overdue.
The time is now.
About this Release:
As of this writing, most of the tracks are complete; ready for the mastering process. (I still have a few pieces that I am "looking at closely".) My goal is to be ready to release the pieces to the mastering guy, and then to the CD manufacturer, by early December, 2010, for a January/February 2011 release date. I am prepared to use the handy credit card for the printing of these CDs (as I've done for the grand piano, the laptop, the interface, the electro-magnetic piano pick-up, the microphone, the software, and other things that were used to make all of this happen). But any funds that I can raise here via KickStarter will help the nasty 'debt monster' from growing any (too much) larger. :)
About this KickStarter Project:
I am pre-selling this music by using the amazingly cool creative-project support model that is KickStarter.com. Basically, you pledge some support here, and if enough people do so, everyone is charged, and you get the music and extra 'commemorative items'. If the goal is not met, no charge occurs. Since I will be releasing it whether or not my "project goal" is met (mine is 2488.88), you will still have access to this music (via bandcamp.com, iTunes.com, amazon.com, cdbaby.com, etc.). BUT, you may never again be able to take advantage of the cool "premiums", or "awards" you'll get by contributing to the project here via KickStarter.com. (See "Awards Panel" to the right). Your "purchase" here (i.g. the money I make if the project goal is met - or exceeded...) will be used to pay for the mastering process, and the graphic designer, and the CD manufacturer, the live-streaming software, etc.. Any "extra" money contributed (yes, KickStarter and I both would love to see the goal exceeded...!) will be used to further promote, distribute, perform, and otherwise get this music out into the world, as well as enable me to do the many related follow-up projects of this music that are yearning to be done.
About the Awards:
I am hoping you will join me in bringing these "hidden voices from the grand piano" to a wider audience. For your involvement in this KickStarter pre-release, I am offering signed CDs, posters, and T-shirts (see the award tiers to the right). I'm also inviting you inside of my grand piano, via the internets, for media-streamed "concerts/sessions" of improv-piano, where I'll create music using these techniques (video and high-quality audio). - Or, if you contribute in a larger way, I will come and buy you coffee at your favorite local coffee shop (within 2 hours of the Baltimore area), and ask for your autograph on one of my piano keys! (I am, after all, a HUGE fan of YOU, if you contribute to this project.) - Or, I'll perform a personal audio/video streamed concert, just for you! - Or, I will perform in a venue of your choice.
MANY THANKS for looking in here, and considering to contribute to this project. It means a lot to me. - Please email me - ferdinand.maisel@gmail.com - with any questions you have... - I'm always happy to chat. : )
Visual abstraction of the essential elements of hidden voices of the grand piano
(This is the graphic which is being considered for the shirts and coffee mugs given as pledge awards. - This was originally considered as the CD cover, but will likely be used to represent one or more future projects related to the 'hidden voices of the grand piano' theme. It is an idea 'still in motion', - but for now, it, or a version of it, will work as a promotional element.... :)
I will keep you posted on developments.
See more videos of this work here. And, thank you for your interest.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
85
Backers
$2,763
pledged of $2,488 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 15, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
(The B MAJOR Pledge) - I will send you a thank-you email, and play a special chord on the piano, in your honor.
Pledge $8 or more Pledge $8 or more
(The C MAJOR Pledge) - You get HQ digital download files, 2 weeks before the 'official' release date. And the special chord on the piano, played in your honor, as seen above.
Pledge $28 or more Pledge $28 or more
(The F MAJOR Pledge) - You get the HQ digital download files, and TWO (signed) CD's! - (One for you, and one for a friend!) - (And, a REALLY AMAZING chord played on the piano, just for you!)
Pledge $48 or more Pledge $48 or more
(The E MAJOR, +7 +#9 Pledge ;) - You get all of the above, PLUS a T-shirt or coffee mug (your choice) adorned with the project-theme graphics. (See image and description on the bottom left of this page.) AND, you'll get bonus download tracks (recordings from my youtube videos, and additional miscellaneous tracks of the "hidden voices of the grand piano",
Pledge $88 or more Pledge $88 or more
(The C# MAJOR Pledge) - You get all of the above, and I will buy you coffee at your favorite coffee shop (within 2 hours of the Baltimore area), where we can chat, and I'll bring along a key from my piano for you to sign. (I want YOUR autograph at this level of pledge! - And what better place than on (the side of) a key from my piano! :) Or...
Pledge $88 or more Pledge $88 or more
(The G MAJOR Pledge) - You get the electronic files, two signed CDs, the shirt or the coffee mug, AND you can drop in with your internet machine for one of five 30-minute pre-scheduled live-streamed sessions at the piano (as seen in my KickStarter video.) (Dates/times of the sessions to be determined. Limit 5 connected listeners per session. First come, first served basis.) - You can see this session with just about all commonly used web browsers, and/or your iOS4 iPhone, iPad,or iPod touch device.
Pledge $188 or more Pledge $188 or more
(The A MAJOR Pledge) - Your own one-hour personal streamed concert, wherein we can chat, you can have input into what I'm doing, ask questions, and we can basically talk about whatever you'd like, as I compose and improvise at the piano. (Best if we can type-chat via whatever method works best for you, while the music/video is streamed to you.)
Pledge $488 or more Pledge $488 or more
(The WOW MAJOR Pledge) - I will come for a 90 minute performance, in a venue of your choice, within two hours of the Baltimore Area. (Must have a tuned grand piano, with permission for me to temporarily install a pickup, touch the strings, tap the cabinet, etc. - Date and details to be arranged.)
Pledge $1,188 or more Pledge $1,188 or more
(The WONDERFULNESS MAJOR Pledge) - I will come for a 90 minute performance, in a venue of your choice, anywhere in the continental US. (Must have a tuned grand piano, with permission for me to temporarily install a pickup, touch the strings, tap the cabinet, etc. - Date and details to be arranged.)
Project By
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I am a composer, pianist, keyboardist, and technology enthusiast/geek from Baltimore, Maryland USA. My first CD, ("alternity"), was released in 1988, and music from it found it's way into television commercials, films, documentaries, radio, dance performances, and other media venues. My second CD, ("far end din") was released in 1996, and met with worldwide critical acclaim, finding it's way into playlists with the music of Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, and other well-known progressive/alternative artists. It also spurred an interest from Cirque du Soleil. Indeed, I was honored.
In March of 2010, I was awarded a Maryland State Arts Council "Individual Artist: Solo Performance" Award, for the preliminary performances/recordings of this 'hidden voices of the grand piano' music. This award has been very helpful in making this recording project reach its current state. I am thrilled to have received the award, and was inspired by it to spend the time, money, and energy to release a compilation of this music.
On a personal note, - I love to hang out with my loving family, our cute fuzzy dog, and my vast array of interesting friends. I also enjoy making new friends (and influencing them in no particular way). And I enjoy laughing. - Often. :)
Send me an email. - Ask me any question you have about the project. Make me laugh. :)
(ferdinand.maisel@gmail.com)
