Fingering Randomizer for Bb Trumpet is a custom-designed software interface for trumpet players. The software—which was developed in Processing and is projected into the performance space is based on chance—presenting the performer with three spinning pennies (for each valve of the trumpet) that randomly “land” on either heads or tails. If the pennies, which are positioned in a visualization above each respective valve of the trumpet land on heads, the software then signals for the player to depress that valve on the next note that is to be played. Part of the magic of course is that the trumpet still allows for a player to choose between multiple [possible] notes that use the same fingering—thus the player then decides what note to play based on the three valve fingering presented.

The software also visualizes these note choices in musical notation for the performer. A ten second counter signals to the performer when exactly to play the next note. Then the software automatically records the note that is played and saves it in a database. Collections of the randomized notes can then be layered into randomly generated chords. In testing the software I developed a series of eight-note, randomly generated chords which I called hexachords. The software could be seen as both educational (a way to learn the fingerings and notes of the instrument) and performative. The project is based on the work of the American composer, music theorist, artist, and philosopher John Cage and was inspired by the work of trombonist and composer Stuart Dempster.

This software, set of performances and video abstract were completed as part of my graduate (MFA) studies at the Dynamic Media Institute (DMI) at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. A more detailed case study of this project is included in my graduate thesis anthology The Education of a Communication Designer (2017).

Credits—

Jan Kubasiewicz, Professor, Design Studio II
Alison Kotin, Technical Advisor
Fred Wolflink, Technical Advisor

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