Membrane
Jim Denley
Membrane
In trying to re-imagine flute playing, I found that music from the Solomons, and particularly an instrument called Sukute, as played by Celina Rokona on an LP recorded in 1969, was particularly inspiring. On that recording, she hits the end of the bamboo against her thighs and cheeks while also blowing. In response, I use a rubber membrane to block the end of my truncated bass flute, which I call “Stumpy” (just using the mouthpiece and the last section of the instrument containing the foot keys). With my right hand I can gently strike the skin like a tiny darabouka while I blow. Initially I used plastic, which gives a tighter, sharper sound. I’ve tried various plastics—condoms, material from rubber gloves, etc.—but have found that rubber balloons give a warmer percussive sound and you can also rub and bend the membrane, thereby altering pitch. They break pretty regularly, but it only takes a few seconds to replace. It’s a simple device that effectively creates a new instrument, allowing for percussive possibilities and changing the overtones of the instrument.
Jim Denley is a composer/performer (saxophone, flute) based in Sydney, Australia.