Using irrational time values to create spatial disorientation

As westerner’s, we are acquainted with the regular pulse of 4/4 but what happens when
that cycle is briefly interrupted with a bar which is ever so slightly shorter…

Image 1
Sound passing around a circular auditory field

Image 2
The consistent flow of sound is interrupted slightly

Image 3
The flow of sound is briefly distorted and then reversed creating a sense of disorientation

Issues

This kind of writing is only effective for very small audiences and would not work well in a
large venue. The smaller the audience, the more effective the disorientation.

Circular layouts work best as there is a more even flow of sound with no “edges”.

The more players, the better the effect as the sound “has less distance to travel before
changing player”.

Limits writing to instruments of the same type e.g. trumpet quintet, flute octet.
Even instruments within the same family i.e. bass clarinet and clarinet – can have adverse
effects on the desired sound. Although, this could be looked at in further detail to find
combinations that work very well. Perhaps a wider tessitura could create depth and broaden
the desired effect.