Contents are Flammable

Dominick Cuccia

General Info

Year of Published: 2018
Publisher: Bachovich Music Publications
Difficulty: Elementary
Duration: 00:06:00
Cost: $17.97

Instrumentation

Original Version

Part 1: Rope Snare Drum 1
Part 2: Rope Snare Drum 2
Part 3: Rope Snare Drum 3
Part 4: Rope Snare Drum 4
Part 5: Rope Snare Drum 5

Variation 1

Part 1: Piccolo Snare Drum
Part 2: Concert Snare Drum (14" X 5")
Part 3: Concert Snare Drum (14" X 7")
Part 4: Marching Snare Drum (14" X 9")
Part 5: Marching Snare Drum (14" X 12")

Variation 2

Part 1: Snare Drum
Part 2: Tom Tom (High)
Part 3: Tom Tom (Low)
Part 4: Marching Bass Drum
Part 5: Concert Bass Drum

Variation 3

Part 1: Tiny Wood Block
Part 2: Small Wood Block
Part 3: Medium Wood Block
Part 4: Large Wood Block
Part 5: Extra Large Wood Block

Description

Contents are Flammable was conceived in the winter of 2006/2007 as I rediscovered the music of Steve Reich. Upon learning that he was celebrating his 70th birthday I felt compelled to take my passion, rudimental drumming, and create a composition inspired by his great music. Another motivation behind this work occurred in 2007 when he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Hall of Fame. Although I never heard him use rudimental drumming in his compositions this piece is generated from the influence his music has had on me. Thank you Steve Reich for your creativity and imagination...you have mastered an art form that has had a lasting affect on many lives. It is with honor and gratitude that I dedicate Contents are Flammable to you!

Performance Notes

Contents are Flammable was originally written with five rope snare drums in mind. During the completion of this piece I realized there were a limitless number of ways it could (or should) be approached.

1. The original intent...5 rope snare drums.
2. Use 5 snare drums of different sizes and pitch.
3. Perform the piece on 1 snare drum, toms and bass drums.
4. Try performing on woodblocks, cowbells or any instruments you desire.
5. Add to the number of drummers. Line the ensemble up with Drum 1 on the right and Drum 5 on the left. Then add four or five additional drummers to the right of Drum 1 creating a mirror image of the left side. Expand or alter this based on the size of your group.
6. Create different effects by spreading the drummers out in a recital or concert hall to create rudimental surround sound.
7. There is no tempo indicated but it was originally intended to be played between 100-110 bmp. Feel free to experiment with extreme tempos...slow or fast.