MOOD RING

by Matt Marble

I first composed Mood Ring at the age of 22, in 2002, while I was a student in
music composition at the California Institute of the Arts, just outside Los Angeles,
California. Mood Ring was first performed during this time by violinist Mark
Menzies to the audience of my undergraduate composition class, taught by
composer Michael Jon Fink. I would have been overjoyed to have composed this
piece, for the first time, today. So, I am happy to share it right now.

MOOD RING
for 1 or more instruments,
in small intimate gatherings

N.B. duration(s) may be altered as desired.

Begin with a soft comfortable tone, around the midrange of the human voice, say
D3, or as applied to your particular instrument. Sustain and savor this tone for a
while, reflect upon it. Do this for at least 1 minute.

Now, as you continue playing that tone, make eye contact with someone in the
room. Based upon whatever connection or impression you feel through gazing
into that person's eyes, alter how you play the tone. This might be a matter of
changing the volume, the performance style (e.g. arco, trem, pizz, etc), or a
matter of expressive quality. Hold your gaze and your sound upon this person for
at least 30 seconds to 1 minute in duration.

Now take your eyes away from that person. Continue playing, but pause, again,
to reflect on your tone.

Now, look into the eyes of another. Continue in this way: looking into the eyes of
one, pausing, looking into the eyes of another. As you continue, feel free to
gradually and thoughtfully introduce other tones, simultaneously or otherwise with
the drone tone (D3).

Continue in this fashion until you have made eye contact with everyone in the
room. Upon doing so, each performer falls responsively silent and the piece
ends.

Matt Marble
2002/2013
Brooklyn, NY