Music machines

The main screen leads you to individual music machines

By Jo Irving
BBC Devon

Exeter-based Simon Belshaw is hoping plenty of people will be drawn to his music machines which are in the bar at the Barnfield Theatre.

As part of the city's Autumn Festival his intriguing installation is one way young and old can have a go at composing contemporary music.

The beauty of it, Simon says is: "You don't have to be able to play a note or understand sheet music".

In fact he adds:"You don't need any musical talent at all."

The music machines themselves are all on one iMAC computer and you can access each one with the click of a mouse.

Simon rehearses with members of Exeter Contemporary Sounds

Headphones are provided so you hear each individual and unusual composition.

Simon explains: "The thing you see when you're in the bar of the Barnfield is a big computer monitor, when you click the icons you can hear the different pieces from the music machines."

But some of the machines don't play music in the conventional sense.

"The first music machine always sounds a bit strange because you can hear some strange noises and it's entirely random."

Simon says he's more of a musician than a computer geek, although he's learnt how to write the computer programmes himself.

"The computer is the brains behind the sound that you hear," Simon says. "I am providing it with the products and then a process is applied.

"I'm giving it the bread and cheese and the computer is providing the toast."

He has always had a passion for music since playing the piano as a young child.

His influences come from composers like John White and Gavin Bryars - names you might not have heard of, but leading authorities in experimental music.

Music machine 1 in action

"I have always been interested in music technology and computers have changed the way music is produced."

Now he not only teaches others to play but also works part time in the reference library in Exeter.

Simon went to the festival with another idea a couple of years ago. This one has come from his love of experimentation with sound.

He has recorded various sounds, some of them played on instruments, some of them noises and one the voice of Neil Armstrong, and allowed the computer to control what order they are played in.

"It's a melody that never repeats itself because it uses random numbers.

"I don't expect these music machines to appeal to everyone.

"I just hope people see it as a fun way of playing with music and how you can make your own musical choices."

See more about what is happening during Exeter's Autumn Festival using the link to the website at the top of this page.

Exeter Autumn Festival
31 October - 15 November 2009