5. Reflections
This thesis is a reflection of my process of developing my voice and exploring the limits of mine and my instrument. I am a musician who comes from the tradition of the duduk, have been educated in Turkish traditional music, and applied Armenian techniques to the duduk.
My exploration started at the beginning point of the sound; in the making process of the duduk (dimension, wood type choice). The wood type and dimensions of the duduk are important factors for the tone. The inner size and size of the fingerholes make a big difference. After some experimental work on the construction of the duduk and being convinced about which wood type and which dimensions I wanted, my artistic trajectory led me towards a solo duduk performance domain, wherein I embarked upon an exploration of acoustic and electroacoustic modalities. This exploration was driven by a desire to transcend conventional boundaries inherent in the instrument and to cultivate a distinctive musical identity.
Creative process
In the realm of compositional methodology, my formal education in Turkish folk music and modal improvisations on the duduk served as a foundational framework. However, to facilitate creative expansion, I consciously endeavored to transcend the constraints of folk music paradigms. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources, notable influences include Arve Henriksen, Daniel Herskedal, Jan Bang, Eivind Aarset, Olafur Arnalds, and Erik Satie. Particularly noteworthy was Eivind Aarset’s album "Dream Logic,"(Aarset, 2012), produced by Jan Bang.
I have been recording all the ideas I had on the extended techniques, electronics and compositions, in my home studio and I did self-observation. It was an experimental artistic process that I recorded, listened to, observed, recorded again, and listened to. Having new sounds through extended techniques and electronics gave me a great opportunity to make new compositions. I had a lot of options and a lot of aesthetic choices. These choices shaped over time in the past five years through this artistic research.
When I started my studies at the University of Agder, I had a chance to study with musicians who have been my biggest inspirations. I showed my recorded music to them. I received observations, opinions, and suggestions from Jan Bang and Bugge Wesseltoft. And also from Arve Henriksen and Anders Jormin during my exchange at the University of Gothenburg.
Essence in the music
Besides concerning technical possibilities, I care about what music tells and what the essence of the music is. Embracing a multidimensional approach, I have actively interrogated the narrative underpinning my compositions, seeking to imbue each piece with personal significance and thematic coherence. Collaborative experiences, such as a duo project with Danish musician Sara Grabow, have further enriched my understanding of storytelling within musical contexts, fostering a nuanced appreciation for conceptual depth and thematic cohesion.
In parallel with technical explorations, my artistic journey has been informed by a profound engagement with psychological inquiry and self-awareness. I embarked upon a quest for self-discovery and belonging. Turkish psychiatrist and author Cem Mumcu has been inspiring to me with his poetic way of talking about his perspective on life. I found him through this TEDX Talk (Mumcu, 2024).
Paradox during the research
Since this research is an exploration and we have to leave home to be able to explore, it sometimes has been scary because it always includes the fear of being lost. Even though I had a traditional music background and it was a place that I could always go back to, I always carried a little amount of fear of that. But I think this fear is a good sign. If we choose not to have any fear, we will not be able to make any progress.
In conclusion, this solo exploration has afforded me a myriad of sonic possibilities, enriching my sonic palette and crystallizing my artistic vision. Through this process, I have discerned not only the sonic elements I wish to incorporate but also elucidated how they are to be employed. Furthermore, this exploration has primed me for collaborative endeavors and given versatility conducive to partnerships.