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An ethereal, but intense, rolled section opens the piece building to a dramatic climax. Bursts of sixteenth notes flying up and down the instrument make this both fun and play and impressive to watch. The slow middle section employs independent rolls in both…
Style: Solo Works
Composer: Gus Burghdorf
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
The piece opens freely with a quick 32nd note pattern to be repeated ad lib with written dead strokes to be interspersed throughout. Out of this section comes a more structured multi-meter section (4/4, 7/4, 5/4, 6/4) before settling in 10/8. Independent…
Style: Solo Works
Composer: J.B. Smith
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
After a free, improvisatory opening, Choice moves into a rhythmically exciting dance-like section in 6/8. The performer is required to play polyrhythms between the hands as if the music can’t decide whether it is in 6/8 or 2/4. It then dies down into a final…
Style: Solo Works
Composer: J.B. Smith
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Traditional Latin rhythms comprise this ostinato-based piece. Player 1 acts as a soloist throughout, though the other players have improvisation opportunities as well. Includes CD accompaniment.Program NotesOne of the first pieces to notate conga technique.…
Style: Percussion
Composer: J.B. Smith
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Based on the multiple drum configurations employed by some North Indian table players, Conga Tarang takes advantage of the melodic potential of six congas.Program NotesThe use of tarang in the title is a distant reference to the multiple drum configurations…
Style: Percussion
Composer: J.B. Smith
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Each player uses three congas (quinto, tumba, and high or low conga) and ankle bells. The piece is set completely in 12/8 and provides opportunities for improvisation.Program NotesJ.B. Smith is one of the first to notate conga playing in this duet for two…
Style: Percussion
Composer: J.B. Smith
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
After a lyrical opening exploring independent rolls, the piece quickly moves into a perpetual motion section of running sixteenth notes. Traveling through countless meter changes, the driving accents and rhythms end up owning the performer and the audience…
Style: Solo Works
Composer: J.B. Smith
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
The first four etudes explore different sticking combinations (1423, 243, 321, and so on) in a musically and compositionally sound setting. Smith provides sticking indications for these four pieces. The fifth and final etude combines the techniques in the…
Style: Solo Works
Composer: J.B. Smith
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
After a slow and mysterious opening, The Hunted takes off on a rampage filled with chromaticism and heart pounding rhythms. The pieces is technically very idiomatic, but it is extremely impressive from the audience's perspective. Grade Level: 3 Copyright:…
Style: Solo Works
Composer: Gus Burghdorf
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
This beautiful chorale is first presented with arpeggiated chords in several sticking permutations. No time signature or key signature is indicated, but the piece centers around A minor. It continuously flows from beginning to end. Perfect for all levels of…
Style: Solo Works
Composer: Gus Burghdorf
Publisher: C. Alan Publications