this is a series of explorative musical pieces. all tracks made by thom martin, entirely in garageband.

exploration no. 1 was kind of an accident. it's just something i put together as i was learning garage band. this track is composed entirely with stock garage band loops.

exploration no. 2 began as an attempt to create a synthesizer gamelan. that really didn't work, so i decided to use it as an exercise in playing with effects. i recorded four different synth loops, each of a different length of time. there are also four different church bell sounds which outline a dm7 chord, each pitch associated with one of the synth loops, and occuring at the beginning of each loop's repetition. i also used garage band's sleigh bell and tabla loops (and effected the crap out of them) for some added interest. the plan was to just let it go until all four parts lined up again. by the time the track reached about 9 minutes in length, i realized that it would take ages for all four parts to line back up. i got bored, so i decided to end it there. while even i find this track tiresome to actively listen to in its entirety, it's rather nice to play in the background while doing other things.

exploration no. 3 was kind of an exercise in exploring mood and soundscape. i think because i took a far less academic approach to this one, it's much more approachable by the listener than no. 2 was. it makes me think of a moody hot july evening. if you don't count the rain sound effects, this is my first track not to use any loops that i didn't create.

exploration no. 4... i wish i had something artsy or academic to say about this one... but i don't. i just wanted to make something ridiculous. the ridiculous is not to be feared. if you count the rain sound effects in no. 3 as loops, then this is my first track not to use any loops that i didn't create. neither of the next two tracks utilize any pre-existing loops, either.

exploration no. 5 is - for the most part - another venture into texture. my main goal was to create something strange and wonderful. i know i nailed strange, and think i came pretty close on wonderful. yes, the guitar parts do pay some major homage to the work of steve reich. i'd also like to thank don cox for sharing some vocal samples from his collection.

exploration no. 6 began as i was showing a friend how i do what i do with what i have. a little dancy, a little trancy, ridiculously huge. i think it's a fitting way to close this project.

if you choose to use any of this for your own projects, i'd love to know about it and see/hear what you've done.

thanks.

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