Project 2: Duets

Snare and Tenor Drum Duet (2/2)

I wrote this duet as a call and response between the two drums in the style of a march. The rhythmic idea presented by the snare drum is mimicked by the tenor drum, before switching roles in the next section. Accents are used to emphasise the beats, starting with 2 in a bar then 4 in a bar then ending with 8 in a bar. 

Triangle and Suspended Cymbal Duet

I wanted to do something different with this duet. The triangle part is constant all the way through; a sort of ostinato with the same rhythm and dynamic. The aim was to create a feeling of monotony; the music would keep ticking over regardless of what the other part does. The suspended cymbal then adds the character to the piece; large variations in dynamic with different rhythms. It sometimes mimics the triangle (there's diminution in bar 8) but eventually it ends with the triangle none the less.

Snare and Tenor Drum Duet (7/8)

The main basis for this duet was variations around the quaver, 2 semiquavers group (or the inverse 2 semiquavers, quaver). The first 3 bars act as an introduction; the grouping is first played with in bar 4 with the tenor drum interjecting at different points in the bar and accents being used to mark when a part starts to play. Bars 6 and 7 are a call and response with some establishment. Bars 9 and 12 are an echo of the previous bar's music, but with rests where the semiquavers were. Accents are used to draw out the quavers in the preceding bars.

 Wood Block and Tambourine Duet (5/8)

I mixed the grouping a bit more in this duet; there's no really dominant grouping. It starts as 2+3, but then has more of a 3+2 feel for a couple of bars. In bars 6 and 7 I wanted to create a three the bar feel (2+2+1) which is brought out in the accented quavers. I used the dynamic marking to draw out the dominant lines; the continuous semiquavers are used to give a grounded accompaniment to the other more detached line.