Pauline Oliveros-Sound Patterns

“In Pauline Oliveros’ Jet propelled Sound Patterns, the conductor deals with precise, difficult rhythmic structures that have many changes of tempo. The singers improvise pitches with in broad areas of high, middle and low and are asked to produce a varied assortment of sounds, including whispers, tongue-clicks, lip-pops, and finger-snaps. The vocal noises, along with tone clusters produced by the pitch improvisations, create a humorous, electronic effect.”
Pauline Oliveros’ “Sound Patterns”, was written in an electronic musical form. I personally am not a fan of this type of music but I do respect someone who is. I know that in order for me to better understand this art form; I have to listen to it as a sound sculpture, or like someone creating a clay pot. With this state of mind, I can better understand what the composer is going for. For example, Sound Patterns is made up of sounds created by human voices. At first, I wanted to laugh because the sounds that are made seem like those of a six year old child. Were the art comes in is when the composer uses those sounds and creates a sound that only can be made through electronics. Its like taking one of those machines you see at a mall, were you put a penny in the machine and it flattens the penny and creates a new design. A good representation of this is when the voices are bended and create tone clusters. Another good representation is when the composer takes the click sound, with the tongue, and adds reverb to enhance the wet sound of the tongue hitting the roof of the mouth. It kind of saying you know if this person’s voice had more highs or lows in it, their voice would be perfect to my ear. That is what is happening with the sounds in this piece. The patterns of sound are apparent throughout this work.
Throughout the piece a repetition of different sounds, like those with the tongue, are played. My guess is that the composer was showing us these sounds over and over because of two reasons. First, I believe Oliveros did this because like when learning any new language, repetition is needed. Last, I believe it was used to give the listener an overall effect of what the bigger picture is of the piece. Which are different sounds played over and over again with electronic effects to create an new image or different color of sound. Personally, I do not believe that this piece should be in the canon. I do not believe for electronic music work that it is as good as some others. Also, in my opinion, no matter how many times I have listened to an electronic music I still get the same feeling that it is made up by a bunch of people who sit around all day and play on the computer and say look how smart I can be. Where is the soul in the music? Where is the heart of someone who has worked so hard on a craft or voice that they have that heart every time they play? It just seems that sounds coming at of a computer just do not give me the same effect as some creating a sound out of their human spirit. Maybe electronic music is something I have to listen too more of, but why listen to something that does not move me the first ten times?
In conclusion, Pauline Oliveros’ “Sound Patterns” was respected, but not for this listener. I do not believe it should be considered part of the canon and I would not recommend it for others to listen to. I think it is for those who are computer genius. Music to me is good if it somehow betters one’s life. That is why there are so many different types of music. I think that electronic music only betters those who make it. I could be wrong, but I have never heard anyone say I am playing Sound Patterns at my wedding. Or I want Sound Patterns played at my funeral. Either way, I hope it does better someone’s life because this type of art is not for me.