project image
Jeff Thompson
A VERY DEEP SAXOPHONE AND A VERY LONG GUITAR

first performed on May 7, 2013
Sheldon Museum of Art, Lincoln, NE
performed once in 2013

DAMON LEE / JEFF THOMPSON

Lincoln, NE / New York, NY
mail@jeffreythompson.org
jeffreythompson.org

A VERY DEEP SAXOPHONE AND A VERY LONG GUITAR
DAMON LEE / JEFF THOMPSON

A performance, in collaboration with composer and musician Damon Lee, for a custom-built 40-foot electric guitar, projection and processed alto saxophone. Performed at the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The long-string guitar is made up of two pieces, a bridge/pickup end and a nut/tuner end, and built from aluminum extrusions to be completely adjustable and customizable. Using a single string, the guitar is capable of a surprising range of sounds from deep rhythmic thrumming, pitched drones with considerable harmonics and squealing high-pitched yelps. It is actuated by a variety of methods and tools, including plucking and rubbing with the fingers, bowing and using custom-built aluminum tools for scraping and otherwise modifying the pitch.

A video excerpt of the piece can be viewed at: vimeo.com/75428091