I usually begin the sonic meditation with flute. The life-giving power of breath is centered from the first inhalation, and through exhale vibrational resonances fill the space with an airy, warm, sensual tone, drawing upon flute’s traditional presence in practices across cultures to facilitate spiritual transcendence.
Once the audience has settled into this atmosphere and their ears have attuned to the placidity of the space, I introduce the synthesizer. This particular analog Moog synthesizer is handmade, capable of producing many timbres and tones. Serving as the harmonic foundation of my practice, it allows me to hone in on specific energies in a room and respond to them presently. I can adapt its textures to be sweet, dark, calm, undulating, astral, bouncy, or deep (to name a simple few). In truth, the Moog’s expanse can only be experienced live, where its frequencies reverberate tangibly.
As the synthesizer maintains tonal continuity, I introduce the saxophone. Its rich, bright, crisp sound, whose colors evoke the human voice, has a beautiful ability to put minds and bodies at ease. When paired with the Moog, the reedy timbre of the saxophone soothingly blends with the warmth of the analog pads.
The brilliance of the flute and the depth of the Moog are natural complements. The Moog grounds this performance with a solid drone--a sturdy base atop which the flute can flit. This deep, constant sound provides stability for the mind, while the flute encourages a fantastical, effervescent exploration.