My Tools for Contemporary Music
In contemporary music, the choice of instruments is often dictated by the expressive needs of composers and the possibilities offered by technology. In this context, the guitar plays a special role, both for its extraordinary practicality and for the opportunities that luthiers and technological innovation have provided to composers. The guitar, in its evolution, has been able to adapt, transform, and reinvent itself, allowing for new timbral and performance experiments.These instruments represent not only a chapter in musical history but also a fundamental part of my artistic journey. They are guitars that I have used and still use today to explore and interpret the sonic possibilities of contemporary music.
Acoustic
10-string Guitar: This instrument, developed from the tradition of the 6-string guitar, offers greater extension, both in terms of range and resonance. The arrangement of the additional strings allows the creation of complex harmonic structures and new sound solutions, particularly appreciated in polyphony and natural resonances.
Quartitone Guitar:
This instrument is designed to explore microtones, which are intervals smaller than the semitone,
expanding the melodic and expressive possibilities of the guitar. Works written for quartitone guitar open
up new spaces for contemporary music, offering unprecedented timbral and harmonic solutions.
A peculiar case is the guitar with string holder, used in some works by composer Giacinto
Scelsi. The string holder, by modifying the resonance of the strings, allows for dense and
enveloping sounds, in line with Scelsi's timbral research.
Electronic
A separate dimension is represented by the guitar with electronic and electric use, which sits at the crossroads of traditional acoustic instruments and technology. This category includes:- MIDI Guitar Equipped with converters that transform the string signal into MIDI data, this guitar allows interaction with software, synthesizers, or electronic devices. This opens up endless possibilities for timbral transformation and interaction with virtual sounds, making the guitarist a true controller of an electronic orchestra.
- Electric Guitar. The electric guitar is a central instrument in contemporary music, thanks to its ability to produce and manipulate sound through a chain of electroacoustic devices. Amplifiers, effect processors, and pedals allow for complete timbral transformation, exploring distorted, modulated, or altered sounds in real time.
My Guitars in Contemporary Music
These instruments represent an indispensable part of my musical work. I have used them and continue
to use them to explore new sonic dimensions, interpret the works of contemporary composers, and give
voice to musical experimentation through tradition and innovation.