Double Take (Download)

duet for multipercussion

Jamieson Carr

Level: Medium

Duration: 7:00

Personnel: 2 players

State Lists: Florida

Release Date: 2009

Product ID : TSPCD-04DL

Price: $27.00

Item #: TSPCD-04DL

Formats Available:

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Description

Written for two multipercussion stations configured in mirror image and split by a shared bass drum, Double Take by Jamieson Carr launches at a blistering speed for nearly 7 minutes of exciting counterpoint. Each player rides a steady, aggressive ostinato on the rim of the snare drum. Sparse interjections occur on bongos, woodblocks, cowbells, splash cymbals, and ascending opera gongs. These gradually increase in frequency while a steady groove ensues.

From the urgent downbeat through the final climax, Double Take will capture an audience’s excitement while providing a perfect vehicle to feature a pair of aggressive percussionists.

Use of this product is governed by the license terms outlined here.

Instrumentation

Drums (concert bass drum, 2 concert snare drums, 2 sets of bongos)
Cymbals & gongs (2 splash cymbals, 2 opera gongs)
Accessories (2 woodblock or jam blocks, 2 cowbells)

Reviews

The title of this work is reflected in the near mirror-image setups for this multiple percussion duet. With a large, shared bass drum in the middle, each player’s setup consists of a snare drum, bongos, cowbell, splash cymbal, woodblock or Jamblock, and an opera gong on a trap table. Along with the musical sounds, there will be an interesting visual component for the audience as the musicians move around the identical setups.

As the composer states, this is “a very groove-oriented multi-percussion duet.” After an opening figure on the drums, the piece moves to a long section played on the rims. Accents are passed back and forth between the players, creating interesting composite rhythms. Accents on the drums and other instruments are gradually added. At times these rhythms become quite complex, moving through sections of odd meters, mixed meters, and metric modulation. A short improvisation section occurs near the end of the work, allowing one player to solo while the other plays a repetitive accompaniment pattern. After another softer section on the rims, the piece comes to a rousing conclusion.

This is a well-written piece that will appeal to anyone who has played in drum corps, as many of the figures suggest marching tenor drum patterns. But the piece is inventive and will be a real crowd pleaser. The music comes with a CD containing the parts to download along with recording.

–Tom Morgan
Percussive Notes
Vol. 48, No. 4, July 2010