Spare Change

This piece is based on George Gershwin's Rhythm Changes, opening with a 4-bar groove introduction, followed by two complete choruses of the standard 32-bar form. The xylophone part features the melodic material with the bells overlaying a harmonically-based descant. The marimba and timpani carry the bass line and chord changes and the percussion parts are reasonably repetitive, allowing the ensemble to lock into a solid underlying groove. The "rhythm section" does get a little feature time.

Program Notes

Spare Change was written specifically for the C. Alan Publications Ignite Series which features entertaining yet flexible pieces for young percussion ensembles. This piece is based on George Gershwin’s Rhythm Changes, opening with a 4-bar groove introduction, followed by two complete choruses of the standard 32-bar form. The xylophone part features the melodic material with the bells overlaying a harmonically-based descant. The marimba and timpani carry the bass line and chord changes and the percussion parts are reasonably repetitive, allowing the ensemble to lock into a solid underlying groove. The “rhythm section” does get a little feature time, however, at the start of the second chorus.

Grade Level: 2
Copyright: 2010
Number of Players: 5-10
Duration: 3:00
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Series: Ignite Series
Category: Percussion

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Bells (may double or substitute Vibraphone)
Xylophone (may double or substitute Marimba)
Marimba (4-octave)
Timpani (4)
Triangle
Agogo Bells (may double or substitute Cowbell)
Temple Blocks (3 pitches; may double or substitute Woodblocks)
Bongos (may double or substitute Congas)
Snare Drum
Bass Drum (lightly muffled; may double or substitute Floor Tom)