Swatches is a commissioned collection of five works for three players on a shared 4.3-octave marimba. Each of the five works is written at an intermediate level, utilizes two mallets per player, and is just under four minutes in length. Inspired by color, each trio is titled with a specific paint swatch color from the Benjamin Moore collection and composed to reflect that paint color name.
FOUR on the FLOOR serves as an accessible approach for the practice and development of four-mallet keyboard percussion facility. The technical exercises included can be practiced on any flat surface—floor, bed, couch, pillow, etc.—or utilizing any set of pitches on a keyboard percussion instrument. Also included for use with these exercises are several pages of sample chord progressions voiced to fit on any marimba or vibraphone. Exercises include: Double Vertical, Single Independent, Single Alternating, Double Lateral, Combo Strokes, Patterns in Literature, and Comping Patterns.
Lucky Prime Suite is comprised of 13 short works for unaccompanied instrumental solo with one common characteristic: each contains exactly 127 notes. Envisioned as musicianship etudes or short encore works, each solo was composed specifically for a colleague or family member based on a series of questions including the individual’s favorite note, favorite key signature, preferred tempo marking, and an adjective they would choose to describe their solo. Composed, then revised based on feedback to ensure effective personalization, the solos were then recorded by each of the commissioning partners.
A career in music can be exciting, flexible, and profitable, but it requires navigating both musical and business complexities in a consistently evolving industry. Allowing you to build on what certainly are years of artistic study, Freelance highlights ten timeless keys required to successfully turn your music into your business.
Pauken Pairings was written in recognition of the need for engaging works for timpani that are accessible for a wide range of student percussionists. Each of the pieces included is playable on two timpani (29” and 26” drums), incorporates notable excerpts from significant orchestral works by two composers, and includes an optional groove-based electronic accompaniment (arranged & programmed by Bryce Craig) that may be performed using the downloadable pre-recorded track or played by a second percussionist on drum set, snare drum, cajón, djembe, pandeiro, etc.
Created with a logical and systematic approach, carefully designed to aid beginning keyboard percussionists in developing strong reading skills. Included in Two Steps Forward are over thirty progressive etudes, numerous short sight-reading phrases, scale drills, rhythm checks, and structured composition and improvisation opportunities, along with six recital-ready solos.
This new book is the result of nearly 10 years of edits and revisions based on its use with beginning keyboard percussion students. Every effort has been made to ensure that this method approaches the development of keyboard percussion skills in a thoughtful, accessible, and effective manner.