Varner-Convective Motives (SP)-B/V/4M/P

Convective Motives by Michael Varner is a percussion sextet written predominantly in 6/4 phrases in alternating bars of 5/8 and 7/8. The 6/4 motivic development blends and creates a rhythmic tension against the 2-3-2-2-3 beaming. A rhythmic motif of sixteenth notes on the "two" groupings drive the piece toward mysterious or aggressive versions of the motif. Intertwined are micro and macro rhythmic development so that often 5/8-7/8 will be overlaid with 5/16-7/16 or 5/4-7/4 developments.

Number of players: 6
Difficulty: Intermediate/advanced

Instrumentation

Player 1: Marimba, 2 medium toms
Player 2: Marimba, bongos, suspended cymbal
Player 3: Marimba, 2 low congas
Player 4: Bass marimba, 2 low toms
Player 5: Vibraphone, 2 medium congas
Player 6: Glockenspiel, 2 gongs, China cymbal, medium crash cymbals, ribbon crasher, 2 medium congas, hi-hat, two woodblocks, multi drum, bass drum