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In the garden of my house there's a tree with lots of randomly grown twigs. It looks odd and nice at the same time. One day I asked myself if I could create a piece of music with it.

To tune the tree I picked a fundamental note and tuned the twigs by trimming them with a pencil sharpener. I used two Røde NT6 and a NTG-2 as microphones, combined with a customized stethoscope.

I recorded the tracks live on a Pro Tools LE system. I didn't use any synthesizer or sampler to create or modify the sounds. All the sounds come from playing the tree, by bowing the twigs, shaking the leaves, playing rhythms on the cortex and so on.

Below you can see the video and some pictures with more detailed descriptions.
I hope you'll like it.
 
Video
 
 
Pictures
I modified a stethoscope by using some hose accessories.The connection between the plastic pipe and the microphone needed to be sealed in order to transmit the sound well.

I modified a stethoscope by using some hose accessories.The connection between the plastic pipe and the microphone needed to be sealed in order to transmit the sound well.

 
Here I was recording the low frequencies coming from a big piece of cortex. I used this sound as a kick drum.

Here I was recording the low frequencies coming from a big piece of cortex. I used this sound as a kick drum.

 
The two Røde NT6 attached to my fingers with rubber bands. I came up with this idea because mike stands are not very practical for certain locations and also because in this way I can move the microphones dynamically around the object I'm recording.

The two Røde NT6 attached to my fingers with rubber bands. I came up with this idea because mike stands are not very practical for certain locations and also because in this way I can move the microphones dynamically around the object I'm recording.

 
Tuning the twig by trimming it with a pencil sharpener.

Tuning the twig by trimming it with a pencil sharpener.

 
This is the twig that I was using to play the bass note.

This is the twig that I was using to play the bass note.

 
A little twig I used for high-pitched sounds.

A little twig I used for high-pitched sounds.

 
The track is also available as an high-quality download on my Bandcamp page:
http://diegostocco.bandcamp.com/track/music-from-a-tree
 
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Comments

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Joe Som
Joe Som, 11-16-09
This piece inspire me soo much. Thanks. :3
Carlos Gutierrez
i've always thought you're the best, man! :)
Cris Labno
Cris Labno, 10-30-09
you are insane
serhat oncu
serhat oncu, 10-20-09
wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww i feeling now music from trees:)
Wallstreet Different Creature
om........
Diego Stocco
Diego Stocco, 10-03-09
Thanks so much for your feedback guys! : )
Mélanie Généreux
I look at your projects one day at a time, almost like a Christmas chocolate calendar. Also, I would pay to see your neighbor's face when you recorded this piece. :D
Mirtho Prepont
Mirtho Prepont, 09-30-09
the is the koolest thing ive ever seen
Andreas Kalpakidis
amazingly inspiring ! ! !
David Sossella
David Sossella, 09-29-09
omg
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