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My journey to Improvisation

6/17/2018

13 Comments

 
I am originally from Orange County, California. A place that is more recently known for such music as Pop Punk, Ska, and Hip Hop. For as long as I can remember I have always loved listening to and making Music or Noise in general. 
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Aimee and the instrumentorium
Through my parents, I was exposed to Jazz, Blues, Motown R&B, Gospel, various forms of Pop-rock from the 60's and 70's, Showtunes, Bluegrass, and Classical. Through my own explorations, I got into Free Jazz, Punk, Hardcore, Metal, Industrial, Post Punk, No-Wave, Electronic, Goth, Krautrock, Prog-Rock, Avant-Garde, Experimental and other music from various cultures.

I discovered at a young age that like my mother I possessed the ability to sing on key and the ability to find the harmony to any tune. I was lucky that the various Elementary schools in California I attended had a great Art & Music programs. We learned about all the master Artists. I participated in many plays by Singing & Acting.

I was known as the loudest Alto in my high school's competing Choir called the Choral Quintessence. My music teacher inspired us to dig deep into musical history from different cultures and eras. As far as instruments were concerned I used to have one of those Casio keyboards available in the 1990's. I figured out pretty young that I could figure out how to play a song by ear. I never learned to read music or had any formal piano lessons. I originally wanted to play drums but was talked out of it and I took Guitar lesson's while in High school. Figured out I could tune it by ear. Later I was a lead singer in a few unknown and short-lived Punk bands.

Fast Forward to 2017 the year of major life changes. I met Adam Naworal who I impressed with my knowledge and interest in much of the same music genres. We developed a friendship which quickly changed to something more. He made me aware that some of what I listened to fell into different categories I didn't know existed. I was also not aware that there was an Improvisation or Noise Scene here in Florida that he was long involved with. I had known there was a lot of improvisation in Free Jazz, I just never realized people still got together with traditional and unusual instruments and improvised.

So while I am an "n00b" to this particular scene I am not new to expressing myself musically. After Adam and I collected a few instruments together. We were invited to Join an Improvisational gathering at a museum. I was nervously playing a Melodica but by all accounts I was intuitive, it seemed like I knew just what to do. Unbeknownst to me at one point some of the other musicians paused a bit to find a complement to what I was playing. I learned that it is best to listen to what others are doing and not overpower when part of an Improvisational Group.

Next, we were invited to play at the Space Gallery and we started by joining the Orchestra Improvisation experimental jam at the beginning and branched off into smaller groups. I had fun playing my Diddley Bow while Adam played the Microbrute. We were joined by Aaron Abrams, Dan Kozak, and Reine Louise Hogue.
Most recently Adam and I (aka Tomokie's Cup) had our debut at Apartment Music 29. I played a Korg littleBits Synth Kit and Stylophone Gen X-1 while Adam played the Electric Phin. That was truly fun and I can't wait to have more opportunities to improvise.
13 Comments
C. Goff III link
6/17/2018 20:14:13

Real happy to have a new, strong singing voice in the Cottage -- music to my ears for sure. I'll guess that your interest in wide ranging musical genres will spawn some good discussions too. Welcome Aimee.

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Adam J Naworal
6/18/2018 00:38:21

Guess I oughta ask her to sing next recording ;)

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Frank
6/18/2018 01:10:38

Yes, I would love to hear a voice accompany the music!

(Aimee, do you walk around on the street wearing that crocodile outfit, or was it just for the show?)

Aimee Naworal link
6/18/2018 14:27:43

That was definitely a conscious decision for that recording however I have been spotted out in public after midnight in that very Gator suit. LOL!

Aimee Naworal link
6/18/2018 14:25:49

Thank You happy to be here. XD

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Penny
7/30/2018 04:10:25

I will find a fae costume...lol..
U can wear your alligator costume..
And we can walk around and give random people art..lol..

Lumen K
6/18/2018 07:54:00

Wonderful bio! Welcome to EC! My mother grew up in Orange County. I believe her family lived on Lampson Ave. Having seen both of your and Adam’s performances (once live, once on video), I am excited you guys are part of Florida’s scene.

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Aimee N link
6/18/2018 14:29:11

Thank you happy to be a part of this! I am indeed familiar with Garden Grove. :D

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Rafael González
6/18/2018 15:10:26

Great & Fresh! Welcome to EC!

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Aimee link
6/18/2018 16:40:05

Thank You! :D

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Rafael González
6/18/2018 17:42:29

My pleasure!

Penny
7/27/2018 23:28:20

Yay!!!!! Squeee!!! Welcome Aimee..
Really great bio!!!

Reply
Aimee Naworal
7/28/2018 12:53:28

Thank's Doll!

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    Aimee Grace Naworal

    ​Artist, musician, improviser, wife, catmom, writer, foodie, nature-lover.

    Member of Tomokie's Cup with my husband Adam Naworal. Interested collaborators, please contact either of us!

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Electronic Cottage is a webzine covering independently-produced Experimental & Electronic Music, Space Rock, Audio Art, Video Art, Mail Art and more.