PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES, MIXED MALLET and MARIMBA ENSEMBLES - Three Players.

"Ah One, for two Vibraphones and amplified acoustic Bass, was created using my Raku Composition Program, a computer-assisted composing program which takes as its model the "elegant awkwardness" inherent in the raku ceramic process. This ancient method, which is closely associated with Zen
and the Japanese tea ceremony, purposely uses unstable materials and processes as a means of frustrating an artist's will to control the medium. With the RCP, routines have been developed to act in a like manner - and while these routines are often aleatoric in nature, great care must be
taken to perform Ah One exactly as written. For example, the piece will not survive metrical inaccuracy. Ah One is structured to produce twenty-four clusters of activity with the bass part serving as an interconnecting voice" - Dan Senn
college/professional.

Price: $15.95

An up-tempo romp scored for three buckets (one for each player) cowbell, suspended cymbal and woodblock. Players strike the buckets on the bottom and side as well as utilizing stick clicks at various dynamic levels. All the parts are of similar difficulty, and this piece would be accessible to younger players as well as more experienced ensembles looking for a change of pace for a recital program! While scored for a minimum of three players, all the parts could be doubled for added visual and aural effect. jr. high/college.

This multi-percussion trio is
in two sections, the first of which presents an ensemble
of metal sounds, primarily cymbals, playing in subtle combinations of tones and rhythmic patterns. The second section introduces a few not-so-subtle changes. Instrumentation:
sus. cymbals (9), crash cymbals (3 pairs),
triangles (3), bike horn, flexatone, popgun, cowbell, wood block, fire bell and anvil. adv. high school/college.

A collection of well-known International Christmas songs arranged for percussion trio - vibraphone, marimba and timpani - with optional parts for percussion ensemble.
Titles: Adeste Fidelis (ENGLAND), Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (ENGLAND), Jingle Bells (USA), Kommet Ihr Hirten (BOHEMIA), Les anges dans nos campagnes (FRANCE), O Du Fröhliche (ITALY / GERMANY), Süßer die Glocken nie klingen (GERMANY).
Optional percussion parts: snare, triangle, bass drum, tambourine, cymbal, drumset, sleigh bells, guiro, cowbell, cabasa, claves, crotales, maracas, vibraslap. Score and parts: 78 pages.

This trio of moderate difficulty, scored for for two drum sets and timpani in two movements, combines a Collage of styles with an energy level crescendo to the very end. A sure crowd pleaser, ideal for college or advanced high school ensembles.

A piece of moderate difficulty for two or more players using all membrane percussion surfaces - requiring focused concentration and attention to nuance. The interchanging accents and stereophonically treated sounds, with players dueling, make this an effective and exciting work. high school/college.

An accessible "all drum" trio of moderate difficulty - with a quick tempo, interlocking patterns and the sharing of two pairs of bongos - Drum Amalgam is a fun visual and sonic workout. In addition to bongos (2 pair), instrumentation includes one bass drum, one tom-tom and one snare drum. high school/college.

SEE ALSO: NGC 981 for Flute and Djembe and
A Song for Andrew Martin. 

Bulgarian folkdance (brisk tempo in 11/8) scored for percussion trio - two mallet players and a percussionist who gets a solo workout on tupan (small B.D. or other double-headed drum could substitute). high school/college. ". . . an exciting addition to any percussion ensemble concert or program." (Percussive Notes)

A multi-textural work for three multi-percussionists, features intricate tonal and rhythmic interplay between players. Challenging marimba part - four mallets. In addition to marimba, orchestra bells and vibraphone an array of small percussion instruments is called for: kalimba, cowbells, conga, shaker, guiro, and antique cymbals (G and D) among others. college. ". . . Yamamoto has woven a tonal fabric permeated by the sounds of the mallet-trio, with the marimba assigned a prominent role. A marimbist will relish this part. . ." (Percussive Notes)

Scored for three cajons, this piece offers a unique opportunity for subtlety, as well as improvisation and high energy interlocking rhythmic configurations that culminate in an intricate finale! adv. high school/college.

Here’s a unique one! Scored for three players on - you guessed it, three plastic buckets! It rocks and has room to open up for solos at the player’s discretion. A great change of pace for an up-tempo concert opener or closer. high school/college.  "The piece is cleverly written, with a staggered-entrance opening section that moves to a hip hop section by means of metric modulation. Improvisation is encouraged, and creative students will undoubtedly be able to add many entertaining antics. The conclusion features a 'bucket to bucket' section, a la drum corps, which provides a fitting climax to this lighthearted work."
(Percussive Notes,
April '01)

A somewhat programmatic musical discourse on the foibles of Love or . . . something!
Scored for three multi-percussionists - in three movements, yes, with some triangles . . .
Utilizes a large array of small percussion instruments.
college/professional.

An appealing and accessible title that features a marimba soloist with percussion accompaniment. The percussion parts are set up to be played by either two players, or one, allowing flexibility in programming - the piece can be performed either as a trio or duo. While the marimba part requires moderately advanced four-mallet skills, the percussion parts are a bit less challenging but very active and fun to play! Instrumentation: Marimba (with woodblock). Percussion 1: two snare drums and cymbal. Percussion 2: bass drum, cymbal and woodblock. Percussion soloist version: bass drum, snare drum, cymbal and woodblock. adv. high school/college.

Minimalist canon for unspecified number of performers utilizing percussion instruments of their choice. Rhythms are based on a transcription of women grinding grain in Benin, West Africa. Dedicated to John Cage on the occasion of his 80th birthday. jr. high-college. "Undoubtedly, the process of preparing this piece would improve rhythmic security among the members of the ensemble, and the work would be an interesting and unique addition to any concert program." (Percussive Notes)

Scored for pandeiro trio,
this is a piece of medium difficulty which emphasizes a strong groove and requires an attentive ensemble awareness. It's metric structure of 10/8 requires players to continually divide the 10 eighth notes in each measure into different groupings while simultaneously continuing the flowing groove and utilizing a variety of hand drum techniques and drum positions. adv. high school/college

This trio work is centered around an interplay of timbres between the tuba and timpani (4), contrasted against the high-pitched sounds of metallic percussion: chimes, crotales, tam tam, tuned gongs (or chimes), sleigh-bells, and glockenspiel. An exploration of the contemplative rather than the bombastic possibilities of this instrumental combination. college/professional.

Scored for vibraphone, marimba and timpani (4) - these four pieces will be well-received by audiences who will readily recognize the melodies of these enduring classical titles. Includes: Ludwig van Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata (Mondscheinsonate), Frédéric Chopin: Deux Préludes, Johannes Brahms: Sarabande and Robert Schumann: Träumerei. Level of difficulty: easy to medium - most of the vibraphone and marimba parts could be played with two mallets, requires a 4 1/3 octave marimba.

Trio scored for xylophone (two mallets), and two snare drums. As the title implies, this work utilizes basic rudimental snare patterns in conjunction with a xylophone rag type melody. Suitable for ensemble contests as well as concert programs as a means to feature younger performers. jr. high-college.

Lively, unique percussion trio - scored for 2x4's and cowbells! Could be conceived of as a parody, or a tribute to Riverdance - depending on one's frame of reference! At any rate, it is intended to be played as an encore - with a good sense of humor! high school/college.

Suite of six movements which are programmatic and theatrical in nature - scored for percussion trio. Instrumentation: glockenspiel, camel bells (3), metal plates (3), wood blocks (3), pillows (3), piano, crotales, chimes, timpani (3), cymbals (3), prepared marimba and snare drum. adv. high school/college.

This work is scored for three multi-percussionists. A great piece to introduce less experienced ensembles to concepts of multi-percussion performance
(as well as a metric
scheme of 7/8).

Instrumentation:
cow bells (3), bass drums (3), sus. cymbal, snare and field drum and tom toms (4). jr. high - college.

This collection contains 34 drumset trios and quartets suitable for beginners as well as  those who are a little more advanced.  If you already know my two-volume DRUM METHOD, then you are going to know roughly what to expect from this book; if not, then why not take a look at these study materials as well?  I have noticed that young drummers greatly prefer practicing and particularly performing in groups rather than alone.  This positive experience, which started with a group performance of about 10 pieces in 2008, has led me to write and publish a complete collection, in many styles and time signatures.  I hope this book will give your young drummers a lot of happiness and motivation.

The book contains all 34 scores. The drumset parts you'll get with the enclosed CD-ROM, ready for self-printing. . . .

Andreas Schwarz

Inspired by the percussive mallet music of Uganda, each player in this unique piece uses 2 mallets, and all three players play on one 5-octave marimba. Numerous melo-rhythmic lines interlock to form an interesting polyrhythmic (3:2, etc.) groove. No one part is particularly difficult, yet concentration is required so as to realize the interlocking rhythmic patterns in a fashion that seems relaxed, yet grooves! adv. high school/college.

Scored for Xylophone, Marimba (4 1/3 octave) and Vibraphone, Amalgamation challenges all three players to utilize great rhythmic and dynamic nuance throughout!  While only the marimba part requires four mallets, the challenge here among all players, is to keep the interlocking melodic lines and rhythmic patterns in a sustained "groove" throughout duration of the piece.  adv. high school/college.

This challenging ensemble is the second movement of Robert S. Cohen's Homeland Security Suite for Percussion. 

SEE MORE DESCRIPTION and SOUND SAMPLES

 [Three Players - Duration ca. 7' 03"]  Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Marimba.

Price: $29.95

Festive collection of eight titles for the holiday season. The arrangements in this collection are all part of a genre known as VILLANCICO. This is the Spanish label for a traditional popular song. Originating in medieval Spain this musical style often included dance rhythms,
and it subsequently became very popular in
Latin America.
The term now frequently refers to Christmas songs. 
Arranged for
three players
on one
4 1/3-octave marimba. 
high school/college.

Price: $22.95

This is a crowd-pleasing feature for a marimba soloist - scored for marimba trio and Bodhran (tom tom, or other drum could substitute). Great if you have at least one 5-octave instrument, but can be easily adapted to 4 1/3 octave instruments. adv. high school/college.

Price: $22.95

Musser’s “Fantasy on Yankee Doodle” is based on a transcription of Vieuxtemp’s “Souvenir d'Amérique Opus 17” (for violin and piano) which was a set of variations on the ubiquitous “Yankee Doodle.” It has been adapted for marimba trio from Musser’s original transcription for marimba and piano. A great crowd pleaser! Great if you have at least one 5-octave instrument, but can be easily adapted to 4 1/3 octave instruments. adv. high school/college.

A collection of ten catchy titles arranged for marimba trio - 3 players on one instrument!  Viable for percussion ensemble concerts - or any festive occasion! 

Performance Notes

SEE ALSO:
Mexican Music for Marimba
~ Son Jarocho ~

Price: $25.95

. . . Lively Trio
- Vibraphone
and
Marimba 4-Hands.
adv. high school/college.

 This unique collection of nine titles features corridos of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). They have been adapted from this vocal repertoire for 3 players on one 4-octave marimba.
high school/college

An accessible, melodic, audience friendly marimba trio that offers a myriad of arrangement possibilities. In addition to the marimba parts, music is included for an alternate Bb, Eb or C instrument, as well as String Bass.
high school/college.

Price: $15.95

Scored for three vibraphones (or 1 vibe and 2 marimbas, 2 vibes and 1 marimba, etc.), this is an appealing title for an encore or a lighter addition to any concert. In a jazz style, this melodic piece would be well received by any audience. Requires a basic understanding of three/four - mallet techniques. A great pedagogical piece for teaching the differences between and various interpretations of both jazz and traditional melodic phrasing concepts.  high school/college.

Price: $15.95

Mallet trio in three movements, written in the style of traditional Guatemalan marimba music.  The combination of two 2-mallet parts and one 4-mallet part, improvisation, and stylistic demands, makes this an ideal work to challenge high school or college percussionists.

Challenging two-movement workout for two accomplished Marimbist's with Piano.  Concert length work which has been edited and meticulously restored by Kathleen Kastner from several disparate early versions.
college/professional.

SEE ALSO:
LEGEND for Marimba Ensemble
and
LOOSE CANNONS, A Collection for Marimba.

Price: $22.95

These pieces were conceived as musical impressions drawn from events and activities of typical life in the city.  Although each piece of the set: Sunrise, Traffic, Rain, Sidewalks and Nightlife has a character of its own, they all share a common melodic structure.  A challenging work-out for three percussionists, Urban Sketches is scored for Xylophone, Vibraphone and Marimba (4 1/3 octave).  adv. high school/college.