Forsthoff-Riq, Roll'd-Riq

Riq, Roll'd , my second composition for solo riq (a tambourine played throughout the Middle East but particularly in Egypt), was commissioned by Matt Geiger for his senior recital at the University of Kentucky and composed in January, 2012. The five sections of the piece serve as a musical library of many contemporary riq performance techniques. I have tried to include the different techniques in a musical setting which, though quite precisely notated, gives the impression of being semi-improvisational. The form of the piece owes great debts to the riq compositions of Randy Gloss, N Scott Robinson, and B Michael Williams, from whom I learned and refined many techniques on the instrument. The title is a convenient play on a popular internet meme.
-Kyle M. Forsthoff

Number of players: 1
Difficulty: Advanced

Instrumentation: Riq