MM First of all, let me tell you how we started this project. I invited him to join me.
QQ would give instructions in words in an impromptu manner, and MM would respond. MM responds, and then QQ responds again...and so on. I thought that this might result in something interesting.
We did it over the phone rather than in person. Because of the CORONA disaster. Looking back, is there anything in QQ?
QQ: The first thing I tried to do with the instructions was to be aware of the tones that MM doesn't usually have. His improvisation is amazing, and only MM can create it.
But for an album of 5 minutes or less, and to bring out more of what I think is the best of him, wanted to reduce the number of notes, slow down the tempo, and develop a melodic development.
I feel that the restraint of being able to express only verbally, with no gestures on the phone, rather than face to face, worked well for us.
MM Indeed, it is simpler than my previous improvisations. Also, the use of dissonance is quite different. Sometimes I have never played such a sound before. I don't remember what the instructions were, but maybe it's a sound that was drawn out by the words.
QQ I feel honored to be asked to conduct an improvisational pianist who can play this well, and I feel that I can strongly say that did my best to return the pleasure of being trusted to conduct this piece.
MM That's what I think, too. I was able to make this album with a good friend who has known me for a long time and understands me very well. I am grateful for that.
I came up with the title, and QQ came up with the song order.
QQ Yes. The order of the songs was decided by taking into account the title given by MM and imagining the journey back home.
MM I thought of the song order at first, but it didn't sound right, so I asked QQ to do it. It turned out much better. Listening to the album as a whole, the imprint of each song sounds a little different.
QQ It took a long time, but I'm glad to hear you say that. It was a personal play between two friends that ended up being more than we could have imagined, and that's what I love about ideas and experimentation.
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MM まず本作を製作した経緯から話すと、最近QQと一緒に音楽作ってないなー、よし、そろそろ共作するか!って僕のほうから誘ったんだよね。
QQが言葉で即興的に指示を出し、MMが応える。それに対してさらにQQが…って感じで言葉とピアノで対話していく。その結果、なにか面白い表現ができるかも、って考えたんだ。
それを実際に会うではなく通話でやったんだよね。コロナ禍だから。振り返ってみて、QQはなにかある?