Etude being and becoming X

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English

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Publié par	Thion
Nombre de lectures	83
Langue	English

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Etude: Being and Becoming
(2010)
for xylophone
Lou BunkPerformance Notes for “Etude: Being and Becoming”
This is an advanced xylophone etude exploring various methods of improvisation with practice in multiple
beater changes, and tremolo in various contexts. You will learn to hear, and perform better, subtle changes
in pitch, rhythm and timbre. As the piece can be long, and the pacing of events unhurried, restraint and
endurance are practiced and necessary. This helps make possible the appropriate mindset for extensive
contemplation of how subtle change can both lead to and be structural transformation.
General Guidelines
1. There is no defined meter. The tempo is often free and in flux.
2. Take the most content liberty in the transitions between sections.
3. Improvise using subtle changes (micro-variations) in timbre rhythm, and pitch.
4. The overall pacing of the composition should be slow and gradual. Though occasionally, the pacing
may temporarily increase to provide contrast, or to hurry a deeper change.
5. Alternate (back and forth) musical ideas, but do not be too obvious.
6. Create patterns that are not perfect. Then let them fall apart.
7. Do not make a score ahead of time to bring into performance. The score is the next page titled
“Performance Score”. Make most of your musical decisions in the performance, but rehearse
multiple versions ahead of time.
Form: The piece should last between 12-20 minutes. The form is described in four Sections at the bottom of
the Performance Score. Within these Sections are Sub-sections, each marked with a letter, an approximate
length, and a note to which improvisational methods is active. Though this form should be carefully followed,
take liberties that make the transitions interesting, helping to avoid them sounding stiff and prescribed.
Primary Sound Object: (PSO) is a gesture to be played and repeated as a self contained unit. Its prime form,
before any Alterations (Alts), is given in the Performance Score.
Transformation 1: (T1) is created by following a list of Guidelines (GLs). I have provided a possible realization
(of just a segment) to give a sense of how T1 could sound. It should not be used “as is”. As this example
shows, try to (at times) align shifting tremolo speed, dynamics, and pitch changes with each other.
Transformation 2: (T2) is made up of five “Items”. In the Performance Score, each Item is in its own box. The
five Items can be played in any order at any tempo. Each Item can be repeated any number of times.
Alterations: PSO and T2 each have a list of Alts. which describe how each changes from one iterations to the
next. They can be added and subtracted at will, in any order, and can be applied to part or all of the
gesture to which it applies. Introduce these Alts. gradually, and give each new change time to breath and
grow. Feel free to linger for a while, or return to a previous state. Alternate old and new. Be aware of how
one idea can segue to the next.
Transformation 1, GL 5 and 6: These GLs can change the music in subtle and significant ways as they
introduce pitches outside the primary tri-chord (Ab, A, Bb). Use these GLs carefully, strategically, and in the
spirit of gradual change. Note that these new pitches can be returned to in T2 through Alt. 4
Beaters: Use multiple types of beaters. After Sub-section B, change them at will to provide timbre contrasts.
All traditional and non-traditional beaters are acceptable, particularly if they make an interesting sound.
Section 1, C: is challenging as it is the longest segment. Work hard to balance the urge for forward motion
with the principle of gradual change, all the while creating musical interest by exposing the beauty in the
microstructures. See the Addendum for examples of how PSO and T2 can be performed.
Ending: In the form, the last section is “Ending”. For this section, freely improvise an ending. Do not plan it
ahead of time. Let the music of the improvisation lead you there. It could be anything.
Rehearsal: First, read very careful all the instructions in the Performance Notes and the Performance Score.
Second, become familiar with PSO, T1 and T2 and all Alts. and GLs. Practice improvising these, adding
beater changes. Third, study the form and practice transitioning between the parts. Performance Score
Etude: Being and Becoming
Lou Bunk (2010)
Primary Sound Object (Prime Form) Alterations (for PSO only)
1. Add/omit repeated notes (1-3 new
iterations of a pitch at a time).
2. Omit any pitch(es).
3. Change tuplet. 4. Pause on any pitch.
5. Tempo change or fluctuation.
6. Fermata: change length or omit.
7. Change dynamics.
8. Add crescendo or decrescendo.
9. Add new pitch (only B3 - Ab4).

Guidelines (for T1 only) Transformation 1 (example realization)
1. Fluid change of pitch among Ab4, A4,
Bb4. (1st 30" all A4).
2. e of tremolo speed (and
therefore perceived tempo).
3. Fluid dynamic shifts.
4. Occasional silence of any length.
5. Occasionally add a 2 pitch tremolo (of
any length) where one pitch is Ab4, A4,
Note: This realization is particularly active as to demonstrate or Bb4. The other can be any pitch.
as many GLs in use as possible. In performance, also allow for 6. Play a 2 pitch trem., after a silence, that
GLs to change at a slower pace, or for slower and faster is 3"-7" and does not use Ab4, A4, or Bb4.
paced GLs to exist side by side. (2-3 times)

Transformation 2 (Prime Forms) Alterations (for T2 only)
1. Item 1: Change speed or length of trem.
2. Item 3-5: Change # of articulation.
3. Item 1-5: Change or omit rest.
4. Item 3-5: Change pitch using new pitches from T1, (GL. 5 and 6)
5. Items 1-5: Change dynamics/hairpin.
6. Items 4 and 5: Change octave

Form
E. [30 sec] Play T1 (only using the pitch A4)
Section 1, Primary Sound Object (PSO) F. [1-2 minutes] Play T1 (GL. 1-5)
G. Play PSO (w/ any Alts.) A. [12-20 times] Repeat PSO as is.
H. [2-3 minutes] Play T1 (GL. 1-6)
B. [8-15 times] Add 1 Alt. (not 9) and 1
beater change to PSO. Section 3, Transformation 2 (T2)
C. [4-6 min.] Slowly add more Alts. (1-8
only). From here forward, change I. [2-3 minutes] Play T2 (w/ any Alts.)
beater at will.
D. [1-2 min.] Add Alt. 9 Section 4, Ending

J. [any length] any content. See notes. Section 2, Transformation 1 (T1) Addendum
This addendum provides examples of how PSO and T2 can be performed. It should be used as a starting
point in rehearsal, and as a reference. It is not meant to be played verbatim in performance.

PSO Example

This example gives three iterations of PSO. In the course of a performance, there could be dozens of
iterations depending on the length of each, which is mostly up to you.

What to notice about this example:
1. Observe the subtle change from one iteration to the next. This should be the norm, though from time to
time, more drastic change may be appropriate.
2. Almost every Alt. is used: (Note: other moments will pace the use of Alts. slower)
a. Added repeated notes.
b. The first "Bb" is omitted in the first iteration.
c. Tuplet changes.
d. There is a pause on "Ab" in the 3rd iteration
nd rde. Tempo change. The 2 iteration is slower. The original tempo of 108 returns in the 3 iteration.
f. A tempo fluctuation is used in the "accel." back to the “a tempo”.
rdg. The fermata length is changed to 3” for the 3 iteration.
st rdh. Crescendos and decrescendos are added in the 1 and 3 iteration
3. The principle of imperfect repetition is used:
a. The rhythm is slightly changed between the beginnings (first 3 pitches) of iterations 2 and 3
stb. Notice the silence after each iteration. The length of the silence is the same after the 1 and the
nd rd2 iteration, while the 3 iteration's silence is 3”.
T2 Example

This example shows a segment of T2 music in which 16 “Items” are used. Boxes are drawn around each
individual Item, and the Item number is placed in the upper left hand corner of the box.
What to notice about this example:
1. This is a particularly dynamic implementation of T2. Though T2 is designed to allow for this kind of activity,
it would be just as true to the score to create a segment in which change is more subtle. Practice
multiple variations in rehearsal, and in performance, let the music tell you what it needs.
2. Almost every Alt. is used. Can you find them?
3. Notice how Items 2 and 3 are repeated multiple times, while Item 1 is only used once. It would be just as
true to the score to do the opposite, or to not use Item 3 at all, or to use only Item 1.