Misuse as Creation in Electronic Music - A History and Practical Suggestion
August Norborg
Independent Project (Degree Project), 15 higher education credits
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Composition
Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg
6th semester, 3rd year
Author: August Norborg
Title: Misuse as Creation in Electronic Music - A History and Practical Suggestion
Supervisor: Ph.D, Tilman Skowroneck
Examiner: Ph.D, Dan Olsson
Outside of thanking my supervisor, I would like to thank Esaias Järnegard for guidance, Merlyn Silvas for providing both inspiration and resources, and Karl Zinn Hansen for generously sharing his methods of working with Collision, Corpus and Tension.
Abstract
In this thesis the author explores the term ”misuse” as a methodology of composition, but also proposes to view it as an informal tradition within the history of electronic music. The author explores the possible definitions of the term ”misuse”, proposing to view it as an inherently destabilizing practice, where the practitioner must reject the defining of a strict identity.
The author also highlights the shift away from mastery of technology to a more equal, exploratory relationship that occurs within the practice, as well as its ability to chart the materiality of said practice. The author proposes that this tradition re-occurs historically as both a technical, aesthetic and philosophical phenomenon, serving as a progressive force within the wider genre of electronic music and often as part of a consciously rebellious practice.
The author explores how this methodology can be applied within their own contemporary compositional practice using the software Ableton Live, chronicling their own explorations of generating sound via different misuses of the software, including sound examples. Finally, the author evaluates the applicability of this method on their own artistic practice through 2 attached compositions, and gives testimony to their experience and insights working with the material.