One-Man Sideshow
- Solo Trombone and Hi-Hat (one player)
- Completed: 19 November 2023; Premiered: TBA
- Sheet Music Direct
This composition, in four short movements (5 minutes total), is for trombone and hi-hat - played by one player.
At the request of a friend, this composition began in 2008 as a concept for solo bassoon. Sadly, the friend passed away before performing the piece.
When I was asked recently for a solo piece for bass trombone, I finally had a reason to update the original. Besides adapting it for the instrument, I also added new material. The result is four short movements for bass trombone with hi-hat, both played by one player. The hi-hat is played mostly with the pedal, but occasionally with the fingers.
The final step in the evolution of this piece was this edition for tenor trombone.
The first movement combines chromatic patterns, diminished scales, and blues licks. The hi-hat adds kicks and color.
The second movement is a blues progression that swings, with backbeats on the hi-hat.
The third movement attempts to obscure tonality through the use of chromaticism. It should be played very freely (rubato), with the hi-hat again adding color.
Only one minute in length, the final movement treats a four-measure melody as a theme and variations reminiscent of Arthur Pryor solos of the early 20th century.
