Music of trees

[Hardbopjazz]

You ever wonder what the music of trees rings would sound like if you could play them on a turntable? 

We all know that the Lorax speaks for the trees, but what do they sound like when they speak for themselves?

Rings on a tree can give information about the age of the tree, as well as indicate environmental conditions such as rain levels, disease, and even forest fire. Light colored rings indicate quick growth, while darker rings indicate times when the tree did not grow as quickly. Slices of trees are not uniform, and they all tell a story about the tree’s history.

Bartholomäus Traubeck created equipment that would translate tree rings into music by playing them on a turntable. Rather than use a needle like a record, sensors gather information about the wood’s color and texture and use an algorithm that translates variations into piano notes. The breadth of variation between individual trees results in a individualized tune. The album, appropriately titled “Years,” features spruce, ash, oak, maple, alder, walnut, and beech trees. It is available to download now, though it will be available to purchase on vinyl in August. The end product of these arbor “records” is haunting and beautiful and you need to check it out.

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/what-do-tree-rings-sound-when-played-record/

 

 

[Big Beat Steve]

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MaIyxtKb0Q

 

Edited July 6, 2016 by Big Beat Steve

[T.D.]

Not quite the same (plants rather than trees), but Mamoru Fujieda released a couple of "Patterns of Plants" CDs on Tzadik:

Vol. 1

Vol. 2

I've heard Vol. 1, and it's pretty good.

 

[Michael Weiss]

Coltrane's piece, "Trees."

Edited July 7, 2016 by Michael Weiss

[T.D.]

More on the "Patterns of Plants": there's a solo piano double CD with Sarah Cahill . I noticed this a couple of years ago, but forgot...

[Usual disclaimers: I have no relationship whatsoever with composer, performers, labels, vendors, etc.]