Project 3 – Writing for 3 or more percussion instruments.

In this section I have written my first task for project 3. This short piece is written in simple ternary form (A section, B section, A section) and is written in 6/8. I built an idea up from two groupings of 3 quavers. This is music is driven by the simple rhythm played on Tenor Drum.

In the first section, the listener hears the basic idea, that I have composed. This rhythm is played by the snare. I start to develop the rhythm in the snare as early as bar 2. The next melodic rhythm appears on the toms. This idea is also developed in each bar. I employ the use of semi-quavers to develop te original rhythm. The groupings never alter from the initial 2 groups of 3 quavers per bar. The use of grace notes adds a little flavour to the melody.

In the next section (A) I use call and response as it allows more day light and helps to keep this section as a quiet contrast to the previous section. I use slower rhythms to the same effect. The tom toms lead he section as the tenor drum responds. With each response there is a slight development. The snare has taken a step back – and only accompanies the tom-tom and tenor drum call and response duet, with quiet sustained rolls.

The third and final section recapitulates to the same idea as played at the beginning. The slight difference is that the tom-toms who have the main line are keeping the same rhythm introduced in the second section. It is less chaotic and helps to keep a more tidy sound then the fast rhythms heard in the first section. The piece is then ended by all the instruments as they decrescendo in to a complete silence (morendo)

I felt better about this composition as there is a clearly defined structure. I was able to develop different sections based on the original ideas. The rhythm was developed through addition of extra notes and based on 2 groupings of three quavers in each bar. The principle idea is that it is a 6/8 march in duple time of 3. The rhythm is built upon the rhythm written on the tenor drum part. The main theme is developed on the toms and the snare. The rhythms all stem from the two main ideas written in both the A section and B section. The structure is clearly evident as described earlier in my reflective account. I would not have my composition any longer as it may prove to become boring.