AibohphobiA (Rhythm Study)

I wrote this piece for an assignment which had us write a 4 voice piece for non-pitched percussion instruments (spread between 2 players). I'm not a percussionist so this assignment was a bit difficult for me, especially in trying to keep the piece from becoming dry and uninteresting. I also had some trouble figuring out what a single percussionist would be able to play and what they wouldn't be able to play. So, if anyone here is a percussionist and you have any advice for me in regards to the score, the piece, or it's playability, I'd love to hear it!

The rhythm at the start is really like a "soggetto" for this short piece. I think you could carry the idea of developing the piece out of this rhythm even further if you want. The triolic 9/8 is a nice touch, but coupling triolic with duolic rhythms at the same time (as in m. 15 etc) needs good players for proper execution. It is certainly possible and be interesting to hear, but I fear challenging to play. Nonetheless this piece was rather pleasant to listen to.

You'd be able to tell the players in person if you got it performed, but it would be ideal if you could be more specific in what you mean by the snare drum cross notation (eg bar 9). In my experience, the cross can mean rim, rim shot, side, stick click, really anything you want. You've got a rim shot sound in the mp3 but I don't know if that's just because that's what the program played. If that's what you want, bear in mind that doing a one-handed (when also playing the tambourine in the other hand) rim shot consistently is difficult and even skilled percussionists can struggle to correctly hit them over and over. But in any case, writing 'rim shot' or 'on rim' the first time the notation comes up would be enough.
The hand independence is also difficult as Willibald mentioned but good percussionists could do it no problem. I think I could just about sightread P1's part, probably not P2, but with a bit of practice either would be fine.

I do really like the 3 against 4 interplay you have going in the 3/4 sections. The 'jazz' rhythm you have in the snare part at bar 15 comes close to sounding contrived, but there's enough going on elsewhere that it doesn't really bother me.

21 hours ago, stewboy said:

You'd be able to tell the players in person if you got it performed, but it would be ideal if you could be more specific in what you mean by the snare drum cross notation (eg bar 9). In my experience, the cross can mean rim, rim shot, side, stick click, really anything you want. You've got a rim shot sound in the mp3 but I don't know if that's just because that's what the program played. If that's what you want, bear in mind that doing a one-handed (when also playing the tambourine in the other hand) rim shot consistently is difficult and even skilled percussionists can struggle to correctly hit them over and over. But in any case, writing 'rim shot' or 'on rim' the first time the notation comes up would be enough.
The hand independence is also difficult as Willibald mentioned but good percussionists could do it no problem. I think I could just about sightread P1's part, probably not P2, but with a bit of practice either would be fine.

I do really like the 3 against 4 interplay you have going in the 3/4 sections. The 'jazz' rhythm you have in the snare part at bar 15 comes close to sounding contrived, but there's enough going on elsewhere that it doesn't really bother me.

 

I knew I was forgetting something! But yes a rim shot is what I wanted, so I'll go in and specify that. I was worried about P2's part being a bit too difficult, but it's good to know it's playable! Thanks for your response!