M.F.A.B.

At the heart of the Symphonic Laboratory approach lies the transformative MFAB method. In short, it works like this:

Motion

First, understand the harmonic, linear, and rhythmic motion indicated in the score. Motion is the increase or decrease of musical energy over time. Motion happens on various levels of granularity, from the note-to-note level, to large sections. Of course, we also can have musical motion within a single note that may crescendo, for example.

Function

Next, determine the function of every element in the music, particularly with regard to its role in the musical motion. A dissonant note may function to brighten the harmony and thereby effect an increase in harmonic energy. A rhythmic figure might serve to introduce energy as a phrase dies away (a common occurrence), and so on. Higher level elements, not just notes, also can be understood to have roles or functions. A phrase might function to lead us to the climax of an entire piece, for example.

Alignment

If motion and function are determined by understanding the instructions the composer has given in the score, then alignment involves the specific sounds you are making in the moment. You align the aspects of the sound that you have control over (loudness, timbre, timing, articulation) with the function and motion.

For example, if the score indicates decreasing harmonic motion, say at the end of phrase, then the loudness likely also should decrease. That’s because the various aspects of a sound are inseparable within our experience of it. Think about it: it’s impossible to hear just the pitch of a note without also hearing its loudness, for example. Since aspects of sound cannot stand alone, they should participate in a single musical motion. If, for example, the harmonic motion is decreasing, but the loudness is increasing, there is misalignment—and that can prevent us from experiencing that musical motion.

Balance

After the aspects of sound you control are aligned with the motion and functions in the score, your performance becomes a balancing act—not only aligning with the score's intrinsic motion and functions but also adapting to the unique characteristics of the space and the live sounds around you. This adaptability ensures that your interpretation is not only faithful to the written music but also resonant with the immediate context.

And here balance means that the totality of the aspects of the sound (loudness, timing, consonance, texture, rate of change, pitch, line) are aligned in the right degree. If the harmonic motion decreases, and you have aligned the loudness of your sound to that motion so that it also decreases, there is still the question of degree: How much does the loudness decrease? If it’s too much for the level of harmonic motion, then it’s not balanced. Balance, as you can imagine, is one of the most advanced and difficult musical skills to master.

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Embracing the MFAB approach transforms music-making into an immersive journey. It elevates the present moment to a heightened level of reality, where both performer and audience are transported into a shared experience of musical exploration and discovery. This is the essence of the Symphonic Laboratory method: crafting performances that are not just musical renditions but profound experiences, enriching the present moment and resonating deeply with all who partake in them.