The Sea-Tique

The"Sea-Tique" is an instrument made from an aquarium and amplified PVC tubes, run through a custom Max/MSP patch, made for the dance installation "e's of water." The name "Sea-Tique" came about because someone asked what I call the instrument. "A couple of tubes in an aquarium," I answered--and thought about an acronym "CTIQ" - which led to..."C-Tiq" - which then led to... "Sea-Tique" (because of its water) and thus the name was hatched. This song was written specifically for the production, which was held in the U of Milwaukee Kenilworth Building in June of 2007.

The Sea-tique is played by banging two different length PVC pipes on the bottom of a water-filled aquarium. Each tube produces a different pitch (a perfect 5th apart). A waterproof microphone amplifies the underwater tones, and sends them directly to a mixer and to a computer. The computer responds to the way the tubes are banged on the aquarium floor—when it receives the correct signal, it changes the amplification, causing feedback when the tubes are lifted just off the aquarium floor. This allows me to play long tones on the tubes. After a set time, the amplification is automatically lowered, and feedback is eliminated.

Also attached to one of the pipes is a tube for blowing bubbles inside the pipe to change the tone and give a bubbling sound. Singing through the pipes also produces an underwater-otherworldly effect.

Making instruments of water added to the conception and feel of the e's of water installation. Custom instruments create their own sound, greatly influencing the structure and sound of the resultant music compositions.