An introduction to Discovery Strategy

Abstract

The purpose of Discovery Strategy is to define compositional methods which can lead first-time listeners to the musical substance of an electroacoustic work. Discovery Strategy provides a steering mechanism which directs first-time listeners towards identifying features that lie beneath the surface of the music. A key component of this mechanism is the skilful integration of familiar sounds into more abstract contexts. The implementation of the strategy rests on a consideration of how different listeners perceive music through time, and how their perception changes over repeated listenings. The tape work Undercurrents (Field 1994) follows these principles, demonstrating that it is not necessary to compromise structural sophistication while pursuing Discovery Strategy methods.