Lee Abramson

Lee Abramson
Born September 13, 1970
Nationality American
Occupation Musician
Known for Use of adaptive technology in music

Lee Abramson (born September 13, 1970) is an American composer and musician. He is the first person to write music using ModelTalker, a computerized speech production program.[1] He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) in February 2005.[2]

Musical techniques and career

Abramson uses adaptive technology, live musicians and electronic technology to create complex musical expressions,[3] all with one finger. His music features layers of electronic textures, synthesizers, piano, bass, and percussion.[4][5] His music was recently used as a subject for study in a Michigan State University class.[6] Because of his disability, which limits his ability to control a computer to the use of only one finger,[7] Abramson writes music one note at a time using software such as Sibelius, LogicPro, ModelTalker to use computer recordings of his voice to "sing" on songs, Keystrokes from Assistiveware as an on-screen keyboard..

Abramson produced An educational series of YouTube videos explains the 5-step method of making music with ModelTalker, with a 6th video showing a real-time bounce of a Logic Pro project with ModelTalker samples "singing"[8]

Tucker Stilley[9] another musician with ALS, shared his custom KeyStrokes[10] keyboard layout for Logic Pro, Abramson's Digital Audio Workstation without which he says,"Would have made what I do impossible"[11]

Prior to his physical illness, Abramson was the bassist for numerous small bands, including Violet Wine and Punchy. His recent creations are classified as Rumi music, where he sets Rumi poetry to music.[4] Abramson has performed under several noms de plume, including Ace NoFace, under which he wrote and produced the album Toxic Charm.[5] In addition, under Rumi Music, he produced a self-entitled album, Rumi Music and later, Vow to Silence.

Education

Abramson attended Okemos High School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the University of Michigan. He took Music Marketing, Songwriting, Music Production at Berklee College of Music[12]

Other Ventures

Abramson sold pork rinds on the internet from 1998–2000.[13]

Discography

  1. 2009 – Rumi Music
  2. 2010 – Vow To Silence
  3. 2011 – Spices
  4. 2012 – Abramsonium Review
  5. 2013 – The Antarctic Wars
  6. 2013 – Maize And Bluebeard
  7. 2014 -The Bionic Mouth Press Release

References

  1. ↑ Ojay, Bobby. "ModelTalker Music Method Movies by Lee Abramson". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  2. ↑ "ALS.org". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ Wallbank, Derek (May 31, 2007). "Musician won't let disease define how he's remembered". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Abramson, Lee. "Rumi Music". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Abramson, Lee. "Ace NoFace Band". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  6. ↑ Eulenberg, John B. "Reactions to "Lee Abramson One Finger Musician"". Augmentative Communication Systems Course. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  7. ↑ Bertsos, Cole (September 2, 2009). "Local man uses music to combat disease". The State News. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  8. ↑ "YouTube Video".
  9. ↑ "tuckerstilley.com".
  10. ↑ "Assistive Ware Products".
  11. ↑ "teeohhem.com".
  12. ↑ "Lee Abramson's Berklee Student Profile".
  13. ↑ "Porkrind.com".

External links