What Democracy Looks Likefor 7-string electric guitar and fixed media
duration: c. 11 minutes
Frank Nawrot
2016
© Copyright 2016 by Frank C.S. Nawrot
Program Notes
What Democracy Looks Like utilizes a fixed media track to accompany a solo guitarist. The fixed media contains several elements: 1) Audio from a protest I participated in at an appearance of a US presidential candidate during the 2016 election cycle. One of the call and response chants at this protest was “Tell me what democracy looks like! / This is what democracy looks like!” 2) Audio of a conversation with my cousin and uncle regarding money in politics and the role of government in people’s lives. 3) Audio of several friends whose opinion I regard highly giving me their thoughts on what democracy is. I was expecting there to be a consensus; democracy is a good thing. Instead, I got rather diverse views on democracy. Because I was unaware of the outcome of asking people their thoughts on democracy, I did not know what the piece was going to be about until it was finished. For me, these diverse views provoked some stimulating contemplation about the frailty and efficacy of democracy in a free-market capitalist society.
Special thanks to:
Burton Kroes Sandy Eding Mike NawrotNorman “Jack” NawrotDutcher SnedekerStorm BenjaminMatt Brown
Performance notes:
Stereo playback and a monitor for the performer are required.
TAB
Electric Guitar(Performed part)
Recorded Guitar 1
Recorded Guitar 2
Speech/Protest Track
Synth Kick Drum
Synth Harmonies
"Democracy sounds like such a good idea..." x2
"Democracy is..."
"Democracy sounds like such a good idea..." x1
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
A
distortion
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
- - - -
What Democracy Looks LikeFrank Nawrot
© Copyright 2016 by Frank C.S. Nawrot
Score
7 String guitar. 7th string tuned down to G-sharp 1
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
6
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
- - - -
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
10
0 0 0 35
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 32
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 35
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 32
Tell me tell me what
- - - -
4 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
B
This two bar phrase will be heard 3 times for a total of 6 measures.
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
- - -
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
17
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
This two bar phrase will be heard just two timesfor a total of 4 measures.
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
- - -
Speech/
Protest
20
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!- -
5What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
1013
1214
1213
1313
1311
1211
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
C
Improvise using these diads until rehersal D
This is what dem o cra cy looks
- -
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
24
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
This is what dem o cra cy- -
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
26
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
This is what- -
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
28
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
This is
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!- - - -
6 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
This is
D
This is
This is
This is
This is
This is
This is
This is
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
39
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Harm.
1113
911
c. 1:28
"Democracy sounds like such a good idea..."
"Democracy is a promise that the voices of the many outweigh the will of a few.."
"So you had that decision that was a smart decision...for...60...maybe 80 years...Why did it change all of a sudden?"
Improvise using these diadsE
clean
7What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Harm.
41
1113
911
1013
"Because...(the will of the few)...(rigging a system)...""Because banks were forced by the government to allowpeople to get loans that they couldn't afford."
Improvise using these diads.Stop playing afer hearing the word "loans"
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
42
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
distortion
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 0
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
46
0 0 0 35
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 32
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 35
Tell me tell me what
0 0 0 32
Tell me tell me what
8 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
50
4 5 2 4
Tell me tell me what
You will play this figure 10 times
2 4 5
Tell me tell me what
2 4 5
Tell me tell me what
2 4 5 2
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
54
4 5 2 4
Tell me tell me what
2 4 5
Tell me tell me what
2 4 5
Tell me tell me what
2 4 5 2
Tell me tell me what
9What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
58
6 4 6 6
Tell me tell me what
6 4 6 6
Tell me tell me what
6 4 6 6
Tell me tell me what
6 4 6 6
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
62
6 4 6 6
Tell me tell me what
6 4 6 6
Tell me tell me what
6 4 6 6
Tell me tell me what
6 4 6 6
Tell me tell me what
10 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
66
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
70
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
11What Democracy Looks Like
Speech/Protest
Harm.
74"democracy sounds like such a good idea."
"democracy is mob rule..."
"...it's two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for lunch."
glistening arpeggios until F
c. 2:45
Speech/Protest
Harm.
75"...it's two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for lunch."
"ch.....ch....ch...ch..ch.....""...it's two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for lunch."
Speech/Protest
Harm.
76 "in a democracy, the majority rules whether they're correct or not, whether they're right or not."
"...the rights of the minorities are trompled on"
Speech/Protest
Harm.
77 "...the minorities are trompled on"(distorted) "it sounds like a good idea but it really is not fair"
12 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
0
Tell me tell me what
Fdistortion
0
Tell me tell me what
0
Tell me tell me what
0
Tell me tell me what
1
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
83
0
Tell me tell me what
664
664
Tell me tell me what
775
775
Tell me tell me what
4 5 2 4
Tell me tell me what
2 4 5
Tell me tell me what
13What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
88
2 4 5
Tell me tell me what
2 4 5 2
Tell me tell me what
45
45
4
Tell me tell me what
04
04
0
Tell me tell me what
45
45
4
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
93
04
04
0
Tell me tellmewhat
4 5 63
Tell metell mewhat
4 54 5
Tell me tell mewhat
63 4
Tell metell mewhat
54 5 6
Tell me tell mewhat
4
664
Tell metellmewhat
14 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
99
775
775
Tell me tell me what
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
15What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
104
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
108
640
dem o cra cy looks like!
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
16 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
"Democracy takes work. It takes...the uniting of a people."
G c. 4:10
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
Shout it! (unpitched)
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
112
"But people need to come togehter..."
340
340
340
340
This This This This
distortion
"and understand that their voice united..."
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
115
5 4 3 2
dem o cra cy
Rhythm is approximate.Match rhythm of voicesin the backing track.
ponticello(play close to bridge)
distortion
5 4 3 2
dem o cra cy
5 4 3 2
dem o cra cy
17What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
118
"should be heard over those who would seek to benefit from rigging a system."
clean
"Banks" "by"
141013
11911
"Banks were forced by the government..."
strike chords when notated wordsare spoken on the backing track
"Uh Uh Uh Uh Uh"
Uh Uh Uh Uh Uh
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
121
"forced"
11911
"Banks were forced ..."
"Uh"
547
"...by the government..."
"Uh...be it through..."
"Policy" "Money" "Uh" "Positions"
141013
141013
141013
141013
"Uh...be it through policy, through money,uh, through positions of power..."
strike first chord near the neck. with eachnew chord, move closer to the bridge
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
141013
strike this chord before "two wolves and a lamb"is spoken. be right next to the bridge for this chord.H
"two wolves and a lamb...two wolves and a lamb...two wolves and a lamb...two wolves and a lamb..."
very gradually fade to silence
c. 4:54
18 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
125
4 712
4 712
After about 20 times of hearing "Two wolves and a lamb," play these figures freely but in order and without repetitions.Note durations are up to you including notes with fermatas.
harmonics*
"two wolves and a lamb...two wolves and a lamb...two wolves and a lamb...two wolves and a lamb..."
distortion
4 712
4 712
4 712
1113
As soon as you hear the synthesized chord in the backing track,finish up what you are doing and fade to silence. If you have finished the preceding figures before the chord enters, that is ok.
4 712
12
harmonics
4 712
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
130
"two wolves and a lamb...two wolves and a lamb...two wolves and a lamb...two wolves and a lamb..."
This chord will last roughly 30 secondsbefore the synth kickdrum enters.
* The harmonic at the 4th fret creates the same pitch as thatat the 9th fret. It is advised you use the 4th fret because thestring is made shorter behind the finger which lessens the chance of open string's pitch to resonate.
19What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
47
12
let ring
harmonics
"This is what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!"
distortionI
47
1212
47
12
47
1212
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
136
47
12
47
1212
47
12
47
1212
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
140
47
12
47
1212
47
12
quarter note kicks change to half notes for two measrues
47
1212
20 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
2 4
J
2 4 5
67
56
67
56
67
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
148
7 9
7 9 11
7 9
7 9 11
21What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
152
9
staccato
GUITAR SOLOThe below figure's rhythm is not to be followed strictly. The writtenrhythm is a rough outline of a melodic motive. Play this figure twoor three times. Then, improvise until the synth kick drops out andthe recorded guitar accompaniment becomes palm muted and quieter.
"banks were forced"
"democracy - democracy"
"democracy - democracy"
"Democracy" will be heard on the 1 of each measure and will occur twice per measure."Banks were forced" will be heard on the 1 every 4 measures.
c. 7:11
3
7 9 9
bend up to a pitch somewherebetween an A-natural and B-flat
5
7 9 7 9 78 7 8
7
97 8
10 9
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
156
"democracy - democracy"
"democracy - democracy"
"banks were forced"
22 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
160
"democracy - democracy"
"democracy - democracy"
"banks were forced"
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
164
"democracy - democracy"
"democracy - democracy"
"banks were forced"
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
168
pizz.
"democracy - democracy"
"democracy - democracy"
As soon as synth kick drops out and guitar accompaniment becomesstaccato, quickly finish up whatever you may be playing and let thelast note that you hit ring and slowly fade out over these four bars.
"banks were forced"
23What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
172
"democracy - democracy"
"democracy - democracy"
legato
Improvise a bombastic, balls to the wall guitar solo! You've got 16 more measures to shred.
"banks were forced"
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
176
"democracy - democracy"
"democracy - democracy"
"banks were forced"
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
180
"democracy - democracy"
"democracy - democracy"
"banks were forced"
Finish up!
24 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
184
"democracy - democracy"
"democracy - democracy"
"banks were forced"
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
"This is what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!...."
K c. 8:04How you end the solo is up to you: Let last note of solo ring until "Democracy brings a discussion..."is spoken, or stop entirely before J.
"Democracy brings a discussion to the table, not a shouting match."
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Harm.
190
97
87
97
87
97
87
97
This is! This is! This is! This is! This is! This is! This is!
clean
46
56
46
56
46
56
46
This is! This is! This is! This is! This is! This is! This is!
25What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Harm.
192
97
87
97
87
97
87
97
This is! This is! This is! This is!This is!This is!This is!
"If money equals speech, then those with the most money have the most speech."
"The CEO's are the people whofucked up the government."
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
195
Banks
clean
171316
Banks
171316
Banks
171316
Banks
171316
26 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Harm.
199
Banks
4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4
"Democracy, in a country, should be able to unite rather than fragment"
Cut off just before"Two wolves and a lamb"is spoken. distortion
"Two wolves and a lamb..."
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
97
87
97
87
Tell me tell me what
Ldistortion
c. 8:55
86
96
86
96
Tell me tell me what
97
87
97
87
Tell me tell me what
86
96
86
96
Tell me tell me what
27What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
206
97
87
97
87
Tell me tell me what
86
96
86
96
Tell me tell me what
97
87
97
87
Tell me tell me what
86
96
86
96
Tell me tell me what
97
87
97
87
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
10 12 13 12
Tell me tell me what
M
12 1311
Tell me tell me what
11 12 14
Tell me tell me what
16 14
Tell me tell me what
28 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
215
10 12 13 12
Tell me tell me what
12 1311
Tell me tell me what
11 12 14
Tell me tell me what
16 14
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
219 3
12 121412
Tell me tell me what
3
11 111211
Tell me tell me what
3
13 121312
Tell me tell me what
3 3 3
12 131213
12131213
121312
Tell me tell me what
29What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
223
10141214
121214
Tell me tell me what
141013
141013
Tell me tell me what
141214
121214
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
226
141013
141013
141214
121214
141013
141013
30 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
171316
171316
Tell me tell me what
N
161316
161316
Tell me tell me what
171316
171316
Tell me tell me what
161316
161316
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
233
171316
171316
Tell me tell me what
161316
161316
Tell me tell me what
171316
Tell me tell me what
31What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
16 1717
Tell me tell me what
O
14 16 17 14 16 17 14 16 17 16
Tell me tell me what
17 20 19 17 20 19 17
Tell me tell me what
20 19 17 20 19 17 20 19 17 16
Tell me tell me what
32 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
240
1716 17
14 16 17 19 14
Tell me tell me what
Tell me tell me what
3 3 3
17
16 17 1816 17 19
16 17 19 16
Tell me tell me what
Tell me tell me what
33What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
P
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
34 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
248
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
35What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
252
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
Rapid high-pitched arpeggios begin
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
36 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
Harm.
256
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
001
001
001
001
Tell me tell me what
240
340
240
340
Tell me tell me what
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
260
6640
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
c. 10:18
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
- -
37What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
001
001
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
Q
6640
6640
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
- -
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
Kick
264
001
001
001
001
Tell me what dem o cra cy looks like!
001
001
001
001
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
- -
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
266
0
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
0
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
38 What Democracy Looks Like
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
268
1
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
0
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
270
0
7
This is what dem o cra cy looks like!
E.Gtr.
Speech/Protest
271
0
"Democracy really doesn't mean anything to me. It's just uh...it's a word. It's just an idea."
to nothing
39What Democracy Looks Like