by
Rhythm Scene Staff
| Oct 01, 2017
“The Legend of Bill” is a short work for three timpani. The three pitches (A, D, E) will fit best on 29-, 26-, and 23-inch drums. Here are a few other performance elements to consider:
• Work consistently with a metronome. Measures 9–11 and 15–22 are particularly easy to rush. Take your time and pay attention to dampening and dynamics.
• Consider your sticking carefully. There are multiple options for sticking, but make sure that you are using the best sticking for sound quality. Start slowly and make sure all arm motions are smooth.
• Dynamics are important! Take your time in the crescendo and make sure you give yourself the range needed for the change in dynamics. Also, be careful not to accent notes that have no accent marking.
• The “X” markings between notes indicate dampening the drum. All other notes should be allowed to ring. The dampening in measures 9–11 should be smooth, stopping the first note as the second note speaks.
Timothy A. Corpus is an internationally performed composer whose music has been performed in Europe, Asia, South America, and in the United States at the Kennedy Center, Museum of Modern Art, and Carnegie Hall. His music has also been featured on CNN Money and 98.7 WFMT, Connecticut Historical Society, and Classical King FM: Second Inversion.