Third Rail (Download)

four episodes for solo snare and sequenced piano

John Ling

Level: Advanced

Duration: 4:00

State Lists: Florida

Release Date: 2012

Product ID : TSPCS-32DL

Price: $23.00

Item #: TSPCS-32DL

Formats Available:

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Description

Third Rail is a creative solo for snare drum with sequenced piano accompaniment. John Ling composed the piece in four short, episodic parts—Voltage, Traction, Crossroads, and Third Rail. Inspired by a train system, the piece conveys a sense of motion, of wandering and searching.

Third Rail speaks to the traveler within all of us, and through its musical dialogue portrays the many journeys that life takes. The piece employs a multitude of percussive colors on the snare drum and requires precise tempo mastery and rudimental control.

The sequenced accompaniment is provided in digital audio format and a variety of setup suggestions are given. A live piano accompaniment part (adapted from the audio sequence) is also included in the package.

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

Instrumentation

Snare drum (marching or concert, preferably very dry)
In-ear headphones
PA system (audo configuration suggestions are included)
Piano*

*Only required for optional piano accompaniment part.

Reviews

This four-minute four-section solo requires fast single-stroke rolls, paradiddles, double-stroke rolls, good facility with alternating flams, and excellent finger technique. An audio track of the sequenced piano part is required, and very clear explanations and illustrations of the different recommended audio setups are included. A CD-ROM containing the audio accompaniment files and a performance video is provided with the sheet music. A click track is embedded in the performance audio track so that, depending on the selection, the track can easily be “panned” so that only the player hears the click.

This is an excellent addition to the snare solo repertoire that capitalizes on a strong rudimental background, though the character of the piece is more electro-acoustic in nature than a rudimental snare solo. The solo part explores buzz textures, sweeps, stick shots, rims, et cetera that all blend with the sequenced piano track.

The composer states that his inspiration came from a light-rail train system, and he titled the sections of the piece accordingly: Voltage, Traction, Crossroads, and Third Rail. All of this, in combination with the sound and colors of the solo part and audio track, seems to capture the precision, speed, and character of an electric train. This would be an appropriate piece for an undergraduate recital or as a solo piece for an extremely advanced high school student at a percussion concert.

–Jeff Moore
Percussive Notes
Vol. 51, No. 3, May 2013