A large towerblock with windows are taken as a musical grid. Buildings in the international style (such as Sheffield’s Arts Tower) are particularly suitable for this. But any tall building with multiple rows of windows will do. Generally buildings that are long and thin will be most appropriate.

#1

Write tones in order across the windows, wrapping round at the end of each row, e.g.

C D E F G C D

E F G C D E F

G C D E F G C

D E F G C D E

F G C D E F G

Etc…

Where a light is on (or during the day blind is drawn) that note is played.

This can be used to either derive chords or sequences of notes.

#2

The grid represents the ‘chord block’ type diagrams for guitar, banjo etc

For guitar, for example, a six by twelve portion of the block, the relevant notes are mapped.

E A D G B E

F B D# G# C F

F# C E A C# G

G C# F A# D F#

Etc…

Where a light is on (or during the day blind is drawn) that note is played.

This can be used to either derive chords (although often they will not be physically playable on the instrument itself) or sequences of notes.

3#

Player Piano

Each column of windows represents a note. Each row represents time and where a light is on, that note is playing. This is like a music box or player piano score.

The skyscraper is ‘played though’ generating a sequence of chords. Different portions of the building may be applied to different voices if monophonic instruments are used.

Oct 08
Revised Nov 09