Tool - Lateralus - Japanese version rehearsal - ラテララス

3/31/10: Thanks for all the response to this, but please also watch the performance version linked as a video response as it is overall better than this one. I only posted this rehearsal as an addendum.

Soemon's first run-through of my arrangement of Tool's 'Lateralus' in the performance space in Tokyo, 11/27/09. Lots of mistakes, but this version was a little tighter and faster than the actual performance.

The first 6 steps and the 15th step (6=1+5) of the Fibonacci sequence for the numbers 0 and 1 feature prominently in the structure of this piece:

(0-1) -1-2-3-5-8-13-21-34-55-89-144-233-377-610-987

This is reflected, for example, in the rhythm of the second section, 9/8-8/8-7/8, 987 being the 15th step of the sequence, as well as in the structure of the 3rd section. While the underlying rhythm of this section is 5/8 (the 6th step of the sequence is 5+8=13), the lead melody progresses back and forth through a series of phrases of length 0 to 13, again the first 6 steps of the sequence plus the root numbers, separated by pauses of length 1 to 5, the 1st 4 steps of the sequence. Together the melody phrases and rests form the image of 2 interlocking spirals. The lyrics of the song at this point also reflect the mathematical structure, the first words being 'black then white,' i.e. 0 and 1. The lyrics later in the song make use of extensive spiral imagery.

In my arrangement I tried to incorporate this element of the original composition as much as possible. There are 8 instruments in the group, 6 koto and 2 bass koto. The 6th step in the sequence is 13, which is the number of strings on a koto. The 2 bass kotos together have 34 strings, 34 being the 8th step of the sequence. In the first 9/8-8/8-7/8 section the 8 players are subdivided into 2 groups, one of 5 and one of 3. The groups play the 9/8/7 figure 3 times, with a variation in the 3rd iteration subdividing it into 3=2+1. The 2nd time through the 9-8-7 figure the groups themselves subdivide into smaller groups of 3+2 and 2+1 for 2 iterations before subdividing again in the 3rd iteration (3=2+1 again).

There is so much more, but, as the lyrics in the 4th section say, "Over-thinking, over-analyzing separates the body from the mind." It rocks, and that's all that really matters.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Tool
• cover
• Lateralus
• koto
• Soemon
• トゥール
• ラテララス
• 筝
• 筝衛門
• Brett
• Larner
• Japan
• Japanese
• Curt
• Patterson

[Getaro]

So you're not going to release an album... sadly...

But what about another song?

I mean this is just outstanding!

Really!

And many would love to hear more breathtaking covers like this!

[radialaxis]

@Getaro Thanks, but apart from the solo stuff I'm working on it's unlikely there will be any more ensemble Tool pieces. I have the arrangements and this is the only koto group capable of playing them, but like I said after further work I didn't feel that the project was going to reach the standard I expected. It's possible I'll do "Disposition" as a quartet or something easy like that but I wouldn't count on it.

[ecjohnson87]

Is this album out yet? I read that you wanted to cover the whole album and release it in 2011 as a tenth anniversary tribute. If it isn't out yet, how far along is the album?

[radialaxis]

@ecjohnson87 Unfortunately I've had to scrap that whole project as I did not feel that it would turn out as hoped. Regrettable, but there's no point releasing something I'm not satisfied with.

[radialaxis]

Hi, I just wanted to say that the woman wearing the allergy mask at the back of the group is from Sendai where the earthquake and tsunami hit the strongest. Please have her and her family in your thoughts. Thank you.

[MansonFan64]

You arranged this?! Holy dayum! It must've taken you a lifetime! This is pure awesome. :)

[radialaxis]

@MansonFan64 No, only six months. Thanks, though.

[radialaxis]

@stacey2stacey I set up my video camera on a tripod and then pressed 'record' before we started playing.

[airzool]

Toolを選曲するのが素敵です。こういう美しい楽器を持つ国に­生まれた事を誇りたいですね(*´ω｀*)

[kinu85]

Oh my god this was so beautiful!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!



[4477waz]

Awesum job! Lateralus is the most spiritualy uplifting song ever created, I love it, and tool.

I felt the energy you all radiated in that version. Well done.

[Getaro]

@radialaxis Hmm... well okay, thank you for the reply!

I wish you the best for your other projects then.

I'll just keep enjoying this version of "Lateralus" then

Thanks again!

[chupabitch]

Old meets New, this is absolutely amazing.

[Diipole]

Hell YEAH!

[ivoryofgak]

.silent applauds.

[Dibbyskye]

Total fucking WIN!