40 May/June 2018
BUILD IT YOURSELF
You experience music with your eyes as much as your ears. Front row and center
at a concert, you look up at a guitar player and see the lights halo his outline in pink,
white, and gold and you know this is a true rock star. The music turns somber and a
soft green and blue sweeps across the stage giving you a sense of peace and longing.
Suddenly, the strobe flashes and you can’t help but dance.
From classical symphonies to the Rolling Stones, the lighting on stage sets the tone
and energy for the show. Some of the best performances I’ve ever seen have also
included coordinated light shows that correspond to the music. The stage lighting
artists spend hundreds of hours perfecting their craft and the specially designed
lighting transitions to reflect the tones and tempo. There are some digital alternatives
for viewing music at home, but few (if any) can come close to the skill of a lighting
artist.
Build a Musical Laser
Rainbow Machine
By Victor Chaney
LIQUID
LIGHT