Rock On!
General Info
Year of Published: 2020
Publications: C. Alan Publications
Series: The IGNITE Series
Difficulty: Elementary
Duration: 00:02:10
Cost:
Instrumentation
3+ Buckets*
- You may also substitute other instruments in place of buckets (e.g. toms or other drums, “found” objects like cans, bottles, or pots/pans, etc.). The instruments just need to be able to produce contrasting sounds like buckets.
Program Notes
Rock On! features a healthy blend of infectious drum grooves, unison rhythms, "copycat" dialogue between parts, a manageable introduction to syncopated patterns, and a variety of percussive sounds to explore. This musical material helps new percussionists expand their rhythmic vocabulary, build confidence in reading notation (and understanding how it connects to what they hear as they play), and clearly hear how their parts fit into the overall musical tapestry.
Performance Note
- Like all pieces in the Ignite Series, the instrumentation is flexible for all parts. You may perform with as few as 3 players or with as many as you have in your percussion ensemble.
- Part 1 is slightly more challenging, notably at rehearsal letter D which features a syncopated half-time rock groove followed by fills in the first and second endings.
- The piece will probably come off best in performance if the players memorize it.
- Players are encouraged to adapt the piece as they like, whether in determining dynamics, skipping (or multiplying) certain repeats, rearranging the structure of the sections, and so on. The main goal should be for everyone to have a great time making Rock On! groove.
Works for Percussion by this Composer
Solo
18 Variations on an Romantic Theme - Marimba
A Rewarding Journey - Marimba
Expectation - Marimba; Track
To Reflect is to Learn - Marimba
Chamber Ensemble
Flutterings - 4 Players
Suite for 5 Marimba - 5 Players
Tyranny of the Urgent - 6 Players
Flexible Ensemble
A Snowy Twilight - 4 Parts
Stick with It! - 3 Parts
Indeterminate Instrumentation Ensemble
Rock On! - 3 Parts