Forsthoff-Parampara-Frame drum

Parampara was written in two days in April, 2003 and received a major revision in October, 2004. The title is an Indian word which means "lineage." The piece began simply enough as a series of improvised variations on the basic ideas from B. Michael Williams' Bodhran Dance. Once the basic variations were established, additional musical material was developed. Over the course of the intervening year and a half, it has come to include many of the various frame drumming styles and techniques I have become familiar with by studying the material of Dr. David Courtney, B. Michael Williams, John Bergamo, N. Scott Robinson, Glen Velez, and the members of Hands On'Semble, among others. The piece is characterized by a general sense of groove, odd time signatures, asymmetrical phrases, and a liberal application of Indian cyclic and cadential theory.
-Kyle M. Forsthoff

Number of players: 1
Difficulty: Advanced

Instrumentation: Frame drum