Lee Abramson

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Lee Abramson

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Lee Abramson
Born	(1970-09-13)September 13, 1970 Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Died	January 20, 2016(2016-01-20) (aged 45) Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Occupation	Musician
Known for	Use of adaptive technology in music

Lee Abramson (September 13, 1970 – January 20, 2016) was an American composer and musician. He was the first person to write music using ModelTalker, a computerized speech production program.^[1]

Musical techniques and career

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Abramson used adaptive technology, live musicians and electronic technology to create complex musical expressions,^[2] all with one finger. His music featured layers of electronic textures, synthesizers, piano, bass, and percussion.^[3]^[4] His music was used as a subject for study in a Michigan State University class.^[5] Because of his disability, which limited his ability to control a computer to the use of only one finger,^[6] Abramson wrote 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 which 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".^[7]

Tucker Stilley^[8] another musician with ALS, shared his custom KeyStrokes^[9] keyboard layout for Logic Pro, Abramson's digital audio workstation without which he said, "Would have made what I do impossible".^[10]

Prior to his physical illness, Abramson was the bassist for numerous small bands, including Violet Wine and Punchy.^[11] His recent creations are classified as Rumi music, where he set Rumi poetry to music.^[3] Abramson has performed under several pen name, including Ace NoFace, under which he wrote and produced the album Toxic Charm.^[4] In addition, under Rumi Music, he produced a self-titled album, Rumi Music and later, Vow to Silence.

2012 presidential campaign

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Abramson ran for President of the United States as an independent candidate in the 2012 election.^[12]^[13]^[14] His candidacy was endorsed by The Daily Swarm.^[15] Abramson did not appear on any state ballots in that election.