Practical Sound

Excerpt from an audio recording of a performance by seven people using bullroarers, which took place under a railway bridge in Preston, Lancashire - a place with a singular acoustic presence. I prepared a simple score for everyone to follow. The players were invited to write or draw on their instruments prior to using them, and they will be given back to them to keep once the exhibition concludes, along with a copy of this recording. The title for this work came from a participant who, upon hearing the recording, described the sound as ‘vaguely threatening’, which I suppose it is. Bullroarers are among the oldest instruments known and have existed on all continents across many cultures, often for long-distance communication or ceremonial reasons. These will find uses specific to their new owners.

Players:

Rebecca Chesney
Florian Houlker
Jack Brindle
Toby Gregory
Gavin Renshaw
Ben Rutherford
James Wilson