Amplified cactus
Encyclopedia
An amplified cactus is a cactus
plant used as a musical instrument
. It harnesses the acoustic properties of a cactus (preferably a Denmoza
or Geohintonia
), by applying contact microphone
s and amplifying
their projection and tone. The effect is somewhat ethereal, making it a suitable genre over which modern dance might be choreographed. Vivien Schweitzer of The New York Times reports "Jason Treuting
played an amplified cactus, running his hand over the plant’s unfriendly spikes to produce an alluring sound like a babbling brook."
The amplified cactus is a medium rarely written for, even in the contemporary music genre. John Cage
, perhaps one of the most recognizable names in the contemporary music genre, composed Child of Tree (1975) and Branches (1976) for what he described as "amplified plant materials". Cage was a large proponent of chance music and felt that the organic nature of music without man-made instruments was very strong and influential. Another of the most famous pieces for amplified cactus is called Degrees of Separation "Grandchild of Tree" by Paul Rudy which received mention at the Bourges International Competition for Electroacoustic Music in 2000. Rudy mentions in his own program notes:
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...
plant used as a musical instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
. It harnesses the acoustic properties of a cactus (preferably a Denmoza
Denmoza
Denmoza is a genus of cactus found in Argentina, comprising only 2 species. The name of the genus is an anagram of the western province of Mendoza. These species grow slowly and stay globulous during a long period before becoming shortly column-shaped, 0.5 to 1.5 cm high...
or Geohintonia
Geohintonia
Geohintonia mexicana is a species of cacti, of the genus Geohintonia. This genus is named after its discoverer George S. Hinton....
), by applying contact microphone
Contact microphone
A contact microphone, otherwise known as a pickup or a piezo, is a form of microphone designed to sense audio vibrations through solid objects. Unlike normal air microphones, contact mics act as transducers which pick up vibrations and convert them into a voltage which can then be made audible...
s and amplifying
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
their projection and tone. The effect is somewhat ethereal, making it a suitable genre over which modern dance might be choreographed. Vivien Schweitzer of The New York Times reports "Jason Treuting
So Percussion
So Percussion is an American percussion quartet based in New York City.Composed of Josh Quillen, Adam Sliwinski, Jason Treuting, and Eric Beach, the group is well known for recording and touring internationally and for its work with composers such as Steve Reich, David Lang, Paul Lansky, Martin...
played an amplified cactus, running his hand over the plant’s unfriendly spikes to produce an alluring sound like a babbling brook."
The amplified cactus is a medium rarely written for, even in the contemporary music genre. John Cage
John Cage
John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...
, perhaps one of the most recognizable names in the contemporary music genre, composed Child of Tree (1975) and Branches (1976) for what he described as "amplified plant materials". Cage was a large proponent of chance music and felt that the organic nature of music without man-made instruments was very strong and influential. Another of the most famous pieces for amplified cactus is called Degrees of Separation "Grandchild of Tree" by Paul Rudy which received mention at the Bourges International Competition for Electroacoustic Music in 2000. Rudy mentions in his own program notes:
The idea for a cactus and tape work came about when I heard a performance of John Cage’s Child of Tree. I was immediately taken with the sound of the cactus in particular. Taken from its natural environment and placed in the confined and groomed existence of a pot, amplified with a contact microphone, the cactus took on a completely new and interesting character...