Karukas-Elements-P

The title Elements has multiple meanings in relation to this piece. In one sense, it refers to the many different materials used in the instrumentation (metal, wood, skin, and, optionally, glass). I attempted to create a piece which would highlight both the complimentary nature of these materials as well as the possibility for sharp contrast between groups of instruments.

Elements is also the title of an ancient mathematical treatise by Euclid, which includes instructions for dividing two integers in order to produce a quotient and a remainder. Most of the rhythmic structures in this piece are based upon this Euclidean division, especially division of the number 13, as it produces small remainders when divided by 3, 4, 5, or 6. This piece presents these rhythms like a sort of "broken metronome", full of changes in speed and skips caused by these small remainders.

• Number of players: 1
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Instrumentation: 3 metal "clangs", 4 drums, 4 wooden sounds, low drum w/foot, cymbal w/foot, accent w/foot (e.g. cowbell, ribbon crasher, woodblock etc.)