Mitchell Jett Spencer - Delay

Delay - for solo piano with optional electronics Composer: Mitchell Jett Spencer Performer: Mitchell Jett Spencer (23 November 2025 in Brooklyn, NY; recorded on Yamaha Avantgrand N2) - My first big purchase out of college was a Yamaha Avantgrand N2 electric-acoustic hybrid piano. Beyond its use as an incredible practice tool, the instrument’s MIDI capabilities allowed me to experiment with various electronic effects, including the use of a digital ”delay pedal”. This effect, when attached to the output of any electric instrument, produces an echo of every note by replaying each sound after a short delay (typically less than one second). Within denser textures, it becomes challenging to distinguish which notes are synthetic versus which are being played in real time. This piano etude was borne out of this experimentation and out of a desire to write a piece that could be played with or without a delay pedal. Both approaches yield the same sound but are achieved through very different methods (as such, two separate scores are provided). In constraining the music to still fit the hands for an ”acoustic” performance, Delay showcases new textures, colors, and idioms for the piano while putting the performer’s rhythmic clarity on full display.