Shifting Waves for percussion ensemble
Publisher: Drop 6 Media, Inc. (2002)
Composed: 1997
Duration: 4′
Difficulty: Medium
Instrumentation (10 players): bells, vibraphone, chimes, xylophone, marimbas (2), hi-hat, tambourine, wood block, congas, cowbell, castanets, bell tree, triangle, sus. cymbal, bass drum, low tom, china cymbal, ride cymbal, cabasa
PHYSICAL COPY
Shifting Waves is a combination of continually changing ostinatos. The center marimba serves as the rhythmic and melodic focus of the piece as it combines 2 and 3 note patterns in 6/8 and later 2 and 5 note patterns in 5/4, all over constant eighth notes. After a brief lyrical interlude in the middle of the ensemble, the texture of the piece begins to gradually thicken. Lighter sounds (i.e. hi-hat, wood block) are systematically replaced with heavier sounds (snare drum, bass drum, etc.), leading to a strong reprise of the opening figure and a unison conclusion.