What is/are Intermezzo Loops?
Intermezzo loops are short pieces of music, that function in two ways:
- (unlooped) as intermezzi between other pieces of music (or
something else)
- as loops, repeating them as long as desired
Is there a length standard for Intermezzo Loops?
Not in the bare 'rules' (function as 1. intermezzo 2. loop). Most examples on this site are between 30 and 90 seconds long,
'shorts' are below 30 seconds,
'ultrashorts' below 15.
But that is just an interpretation.. And you will see that longer intermezzo loops function somewhat different than short ones do.
Are ILs from a particular genre, ex Jazz?
No, can be anything
Can there be vocals?
yes
Why is the format special?
First of all it demands a piece to function in two ways at the same time, which both appear to be far apart from each other. (It happens, that they have a common element, though: the expectation of an (implicit) before and after.)
As loops, Intermezzo loops create a space of imagination that stirs the mind.
They evoke a desire to further explore the suggested theme, yet that longing remains unfulfilled within the recording itself, leaving the listener suspended in an ambivalent moment - between premonition, anticipated conclusion or elaboration, explanation, and thrilling tension. When repeated as a loop, this effect becomes even stronger, while in the same time a hypnotic satisfaction through repetition exhausts and replaces that longing. This desire for further exploration may be felt especially intensely by musicians.
Thus, one true power of Intermezzo Loops first unfolds in their repetition.
The intermezzo, true to its name, can also serve as a bridge between two elements - whether musical or otherwise.
But there is more to be observed in many instances of the examples: In their unlooped (one-shot) form, they reflect a contemporary mode of consuming compressed snippets in a time of abundant stimuli. The listener is curious, yet increasingly reluctant to devote a long stretch of time to an unknown experience in advance.
Intermezzo (loops) can work well also in other situations, that are
structurally related, an open space which is yet to be explored.
Experimenting further, a repetition can also take place in a repeat of the intermezzo itself as an intermezzo (not as a direct loop).
Who is playing the Intermezzo Loops?
Intermezzo Loops is a challenge to you to connect and make your own
interpretations, either of the concept or of particular material on
this site.
To make your own intermezzo loops? The
rules are simple:
Intermezzo loops are short pieces of music, that function in two
ways:
- (unlooped) as intermezzi between other pieces of music (or
something else)
- as loops, desired be repeated for an unspecified number of times
It is an open project and intermezzo
loops of anybody can be listed here or you do it somewhere else on your own.
However, you are warmly invited to make
contact about it!
At this point all intermezzo loops on
this site have been recorded by the experimentary artist(s) * (ifuz) or **institut für universelle
zusammenhänge. Hundreds have been recorded quickly as drafts/studies.
Most in a rush during the Covid and post Covid area. Now some are recovered one after the other from the
pool while some new ones still are made.
You can...
- enjoy them
- collect them (and as NFTs*) (*experimental, well I don't know
if I really want that)
- make your own intermezzo loops and add to the 'collection'
- make your own interpretations of the existing interrnezzo
themes
- practice and develop musical concepts
- create film sequences inspired by the score
(Jazz) Guitar and other instruments...
Intermezzo loops work well as a (repeating) snippet for focused
learning of musical concepts, especially when the piece reaches into
Jazz territory. You have to focus to develop and target a particular
concept instead of just 'noodeling' along. This can help your play a lot and get you to compose little pieces that can work for itself the same as as blocks for later larger improvisations or compositions.
You are invited to try with the actual loops on this site, often there are even 'backing tracks' with the harmonies only.
NFTs
The idea of making the loops a collectible is contemplated. Ifuz has
some reservations about NFTs but maybe we will give it try in the
future.
Film
A different remarkable interactive project of Ifuz is the creation of film
(scenes, rhythm>) with/through music as the inspiring or
structuring input. (or interaction, ping pong etc.)
A lot of the intermezzi are suitable here because of their
characteristics. The one that I consider examples, are marked, though they are not especially designed for that purpose.
Because of their length and construction they also might fit well as a
theme for video or tv productions.
History
Ifuz passion are ideas. There is felt an irrestibable drive to explore
a new idea rather than to perfect an existing one. However, you are
always invited to explore it yourself or with Ifuz together. In the
years there has been built a pool of tenthousands of audio recordings
and it is difficult to review them and bring the collection into a digestable format on the internet.
Another passion is creating metaphors, structural ideas with basic
'rules' that open an explorable space.
Around 2000 the development of a structured format for short to the point
pop/rock pieces of 60-120 seconds (oneminutemusic) began, a tribute to the desire of the snippet and zapping culture amid the overflow of digital offerings.
In a parallel thread, spontanous recordings of
intermezzo pieces came into being, played and recorded just for fun as
one takes. When the special effects that emerged from the looping of the pieces were observed and analysed, the format was defined as a 'challenge' to myself and others.