La Monte Young's Pre-Tortoise Dream Music

The world of experimental music has always had its pioneers, pushing boundaries and challenging norms. One such trailblazer is La Monte Young, a composing genius who stepped out of the box, turning the conventional music world on its head with his groundbreaking pieces. One of his most influential works, Trio for Strings (1958), laid the foundation for what we now know as Tortoise Dream Music.

La Monte Young - Pre-Tortoise Dream Music, Part Two
La Monte Young - Pre-Tortoise Dream Music, Part Two

Young's approach was revolutionary. He discarded traditional music notation, opting instead for numbers and degrees of pitch. His scores were akin to mathematical equations, dictating precise sounds and intervals. This introduced a new dimension to musical experience,transforming the role of the performer into that of a collaborator and interpreter.

two sea turtles are depicted in this painting
two sea turtles are depicted in this painting

The Birth of Tortoise Dream Music

La Monte Young's Tortoise Dream Music is a slow, often static, oracle-like form that emerged from his explorations with sustained tones and minimal changes. It's an extreme manifestation of the minimalist trend, with pieces stretching over days, weeks, or even months.

La Monte Young – Pre-Tortoise Dream Music | In Sheeps Clothing
La Monte Young – Pre-Tortoise Dream Music | In Sheeps Clothing

This innovative approach was not without its controversy. Young's extreme duration and repetition pushed the limits of human attention and patience. Yet, his work was also deeply philosophical, exploring themes of time, perception, and consciousness.

Theories of Tones and Intervals

a man sitting on top of a chair holding an instrument
a man sitting on top of a chair holding an instrument

Central to Tortoise Dream Music is the exploration of specific intervals, tuned to the just intonation system, which uses ratios of whole numbers to determine pitch. Young believed this system produced the most harmonious sounds. His interest in tuning systems stemmed from his fascination with ancient music, particularly the Tibetan and Indian traditions.

One such interval, the just major seventh, is asignature of Young's music. Tuned to a ratio of 5:4, it produces a subtle, almost imperceptible beating. This is amplified by Young's use of drones and sustained sounds, creating a mesmerizing audio landscape.

Dimensionality and Dream States

an image of a painting with the moon in the sky
an image of a painting with the moon in the sky

Young's use of extreme duration and repetition was not merely a musical gimmick. Instead, it was an attempt to create a dimensional space in which the music could unfold and unravel. He was influenced by the surrealist composer Erik Satie, who spoke of music as a means to provoke dreams and induce hypnosis.

In a Tortoise Dream Music performance, the listener is encouraged to let go of linear time, to drift in and out of a dream-like state. The music becomes a soundscape, a sonic environment to be inhabited rather than a narrative to be followed. This experiential aspect is a testament to Young's innovative spirit, transcending traditional notions of composition and performance.

The Legacy of Tortoise Dream Music

an orange and white piece of paper with three circles on it that say tortoise
an orange and white piece of paper with three circles on it that say tortoise

La Monte Young's pioneering work has left a lasting impact on the musical landscape. His development of a new compositional language, rooted in mathematical systems and Eastern philosophical traditions, laid the groundwork for later generations of composers.

His influence can be seen in various musical genres, from minimalism and ambient music to noise and drone. Moreover, his emphasis on the performer's role as an interpreter has challenged conventional notions of authorship and creativity.

Jade Star, Redbone Album Cover, Redbone Album, Liquid Swords Album Cover, Jade Vixen, Warrior Album Cover, The Suns Tirade Album Cover, Music Of The Sun Album, 1970s Folk Album Cover
Jade Star, Redbone Album Cover, Redbone Album, Liquid Swords Album Cover, Jade Vixen, Warrior Album Cover, The Suns Tirade Album Cover, Music Of The Sun Album, 1970s Folk Album Cover
a tortoise playing with a drum and the caption reads, the tumutous tom - tommy tortoise, who beat a drum all day long in the middle of the wildernesss
a tortoise playing with a drum and the caption reads, the tumutous tom - tommy tortoise, who beat a drum all day long in the middle of the wildernesss
two people are standing in the dark with their arms around each other and looking at the sky
two people are standing in the dark with their arms around each other and looking at the sky
two palm trees with the moon in the background
two palm trees with the moon in the background
a green vinyl record with the words tortoise tour on it
a green vinyl record with the words tortoise tour on it
there is a woman standing on the rocks by the water with her head in the sand
there is a woman standing on the rocks by the water with her head in the sand
a close up of a person with curly hair
a close up of a person with curly hair
a grand piano sitting in the sand under a full moon
a grand piano sitting in the sand under a full moon
a young man sitting at a piano with sheet music in front of him and his hands on the keyboard
a young man sitting at a piano with sheet music in front of him and his hands on the keyboard
Summer in My Eye
Summer in My Eye
an illustration of a man standing in the middle of a field with trees and buildings
an illustration of a man standing in the middle of a field with trees and buildings
a piano sitting on top of an ice covered lake next to snow covered mountains and glaciers
a piano sitting on top of an ice covered lake next to snow covered mountains and glaciers
a person standing on top of a hill with the sun in the background
a person standing on top of a hill with the sun in the background
a person sitting at a piano in the middle of a forest
a person sitting at a piano in the middle of a forest
a car driving down a dirt road next to palm trees
a car driving down a dirt road next to palm trees
a drawing of a woman with long brown hair in front of a body of water
a drawing of a woman with long brown hair in front of a body of water
a man standing on top of a lush green field next to a tall rock wall
a man standing on top of a lush green field next to a tall rock wall
a woman laying on top of a bed in a room with lots of clutter
a woman laying on top of a bed in a room with lots of clutter
two paintings with mountains in the background and an orange ball floating over them on top of each other
two paintings with mountains in the background and an orange ball floating over them on top of each other

Influence on Minimalism and Beyond

Young's work was a significant influence on the development of minimalism. Composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass drew on his use of repetition, phase shifting, and drones. However, unlike Reich and Glass, Young's works rarely feature rhythmic complexities or melodic development, remaining steadfastly focused on tone and interval.

His influence also extends beyond the classical realm. Musicians like Brian Eno and The Velvet Underground's John Cale have cited Young as an influence on their ambient and drone-based musical explorations. In this respect, Young's work continues to inspire and disrupt, pushing the boundaries of what we consider music.

In the ever-evolving musical cosmos, La Monte Young's Tortoise Dream Music stands as a constellation, lighting up the path for those daring enough to venture into the unknown. His work, while challenging, is a testament to the power of human creativity and the endless possibilities of sound. Exploring this musical frontier could well be your next auditory adventure.

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