supported by 8 fans who also own “a sea of myriad flickering switches”
Mohammad disliked stringed instruments, preferring the 'purer' sounds of flute and drum. He didn't explain, but a possible reason is that strings are richer in harmonics and can be used to create chords or partial chords. These create beats and resonances from which melodies can be picked out, giving the illusion of a phantom musician creating independently of the human operator. VCO exploit this property of polyphony, giving the phantom centre stage and a job playing saxophone. martin corey