Odd Duck by Tapspace

Brian Slawson

Odd Duck

For Percussion Quartet

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TSPCE-28

Performance Notes Today’s percussionists face diverse musical challenges. As quirky as they can sometimes be, we need to develop a strong command of odd time signatures. While in the throws of unorthodox, complex meters, we need not only be accurate, but to sound fluid and natural. It’s important to remember that complex meters can always be broken down into groups of 2’s and 3’s. Often, these groups are juxtaposed. In the case of Odd Duck, the formula of 3 + 2 remains consistent throughout and should be counted accordingly. As in any meter, careful attention should be paid to counting through the rests, as a steady flow of notes is usually easier to navigate. Keep Odd Duck light, playful and articulate. Rehearse the piece slowly until all members of the quartet are quite comfortable with the placement of the rhythms. Once all are in accordance, brisk tempos can be assumed, keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is to establish and maintain a natural flow to the performance, assuring that our duck will be odd but not clumsy! - Brian Slawson

Instrument/Parts list Odd Duck is written to be performed by four players using the following instrumentation. • • • • • •

Glockenspiel Xylophone Marimba 1 (4 octaves) Marimba 2 (4.3 octaves - low A) Temple Blocks Triangle

NOTE: If necessary, both marimba players can share one 4.3 octave (low A) marimba.

Suggested Setup

About Brian Slawson Since his scholarship studies at The Juilliard School, Brian Slawson has continued to pioneer innovative paths in percussion. Grammy-nominated as ‘Best New Classical Artist,’ Brian has appeared on NBC’s Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight, The CBS Morning News and NPR’s “All Things Considered.” Mr. Slawson has an extensive discography, including solo releases on the Sony/CBS and Belltone labels. His smash debut, Bach On Wood hit Billboard’s Top 10 and remains one of the world’s premier vehicles for exposing new audiences to classical music. Brian has shared the stage with classical luminaries Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland, recorded with pop icons from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Marie Osmond and punctuated jokes for comedians Bill Maher, Eddie Murphy, and Jerry Seinfeld. He is the voice of “Gusto the Bulldog” in Warner Bros. Music Expressions and a featured artist in McGrawHill’s Spotlight on Music. In addition to serving as Principal Timpanist of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Brian’s multi-media company, Slawsongs, has created award-winning custom music for feature films, television and radio. Mr. Slawson proudly endorses Ludwig-Musser, Zildjian, Vic Firth, Remo, Grover Pro Percussion, Rhythm Tech, Alternate Mode and Sibelius. His teachers have included Saul Goodman, Buster Bailey, Alexander Lepak, David Smith and Drew Grouse. Legendary vibraphonist, Lionel Hampton, described Brian Slawson as “one of the finest percussionists to come along in many years.” Modern Drummer magazine calls Brian “a visionary, be it performer, producer or composer.”

Level: Easy Approximate playing time: 2:00

Odd Duck

Brian Slawson

For Percussion Quartet

Playfully e = 210

Xylophone Glockenspiel

        mf

Marimba 1 (high)

    

     





    



(solo)                                     f

  





  Temple Blocks                     Triangle    



   

Marimba 2 (low)

      mf



 



 



 



         8

TB Tri





         

    

     

     



                     3

     



    (solo)          f



         



 

  



  

                  

Odd Duck - Slawson

 15                                                                                   

TB Tri

 

 

 X





     



 

     

 

    

 



  

TB   Tri  



     







  



28        

                 

 

    

 

   

     



   



 



      

              f

 

   

  

 

             f



       

  





 







B 

 









 





 

   

     

21                                

  

   

    



   

 



     

    

 



    



                        (solo)                      f

TB Tri

   

TSPCE-28

 



 



 



Odd Duck - Slawson

 35            mf

TB Tri



 













                    mf

         



                                 



   

    

TB Tri



                                    



 



 

     

  

                    

     







     

         



 



 





           

                   

 



48                                       

  

       

 X

   

   

    

   

 

                 



                             

                   

   





 

              mf

          mf

 

  



  



           mf

TSPCE-28

Odd Duck - Slawson

55                   



 

 



  61

TB Tri





TSPCE-28









 



       

       



     

    



 

           



       



      



                   

    

TB Tri

   

           

    

       







    

       



      

    

   

 

   





 



 



          

           mf

  

  



     

     

 