Music

As a former professional musician (several records nearly sold), I've tried combining the two hobbies, with interesting results. Using computer software such as ACID pro and Ableton, I've arranged and mixed the sounds of paper together. I should mention the work of Paul Jackson, a fellow folder who has done a lot of work in the area of paper sonics. You may be surprised to learn that it is possible to make music with paper. In a conventional musical sense there are origami whistles and bangers, then you have the "comb and tissue paper" and the "tooter", where a small triangle of paper buzzes at the end of a tube.

However, even using computer technology, there are interesting challenges if your music isn't to fall into the "almost unlistenable" category of pops and rustles. Rhythmic elements are not a problem, but finding melodic content certainly is. This is where I've used VST plug-ins to extract and augment the harmonic content, at least enough to please my own ears. Music made from paper will always be somewhat challenging to listen to (unless you are a Stockhausen fan!) but you can judge for yourself.

My MP3s
Canson
Against The Grain

Links
Paul Jackson's paper music site
The Chain Tape Collective Paper Music project
JooYoun Paek - origami makes music!
Alfredo Costa Monteiro - Paper Music
"Music from any source to musicians of any disability"