Fzzl

Dan VanHassel

General Info

Year: 2011
Duration: c. 8:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Dan VanHassel Music
Cost: PDF Score and Max Patch - $12.00   |   Hard Copy and Max Patch - $22.00

Instrumentation

Snare Drum
Live Electronics

fzzl Hardware Setup

fzzl for snare drum and live electronics uses a custom hardware setup that transforms the snare drum into its own self-contained speaker and triggering system. The system can be assembled from items easily purchased online for around $60. No external speakers or PA are needed, all of the electronic sounds are resonated through the drum itself.

The following are recommended products that have worked well in previous performances, although many other similar items could work equally well. Full instructions on how to assemble everything are included with the score.

Equipment Needed:
Transducer (Dayton Audio DAEX25 Sound Exciter)
Small Amplifier (Pyle 2X40W Amp)
Contact Mic (Cold Gold Basic Contact Microphone)
Also speaker wire and an RCA to 1/4" cable are needed to connect everything

Other Items (for interfacing with Max/MSP):
Computer with Max/MSP or Max Runtime
Audio Interface
Foot Pedal to trigger cues (i.e. MIDI Sustain Pedal + USB Interface)

Program Notes

Commissioned by Joseph Van Hassel

Premiere: April 9, 2011. Joseph Van Hassel, snare drum. Hartt School of Music. Hartford, Connecticut

fzzl fuses the acoustic and electronic through the use of a small transducer attached to the bottom of the snare drum. This allows electronic sounds produced by the computer to resonate through the drum rather than separate speakers. Using a contact microphone, the drum is used to trigger and interact with all sorts of electronic modifications and extensions of its sound. The piece is influenced by West African dance-drumming, as well as hip-hop and experimental electronica.

Recent Performances

To submit a performance please join the TEK Percussion Database

Works for Percussion by this Composer

Chasm - Percussion Duo, Flutes, Piano
Ever Expanding - Multiple Percussion, Flute, Cello, Live Electronics
fzzl - Snare Drum; Live Electronics
Here Comes… - Marimba
Noise Peal Extravagant - Percussion Quintet
UNIFY - Percussion Quartet
Trudge Blasted Exotic - Percussion Duo