Bad Timing (Perc Ens 9)

Bad Timing blasts through an exciting mix of rhythmic complexity, odd time grooves, and flashy keyboard playing. This challenging work will demand a high degree of ensemble cohesion while engaging audiences with its bombastic sonic palette.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 9
Series: N/A
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 7:20

Instrumentation
Player 1: Glockenspiel, Bongos, 2 Opera Gongs, Glass Bottle, 2 Congas, Low Tom, Large Suspended Cymbal (all shared with P9)
Player 2: Vibraphone, Bongo (P1), 2 Congas (P9)
Player 3: Marimba [4.5-octave], Xylophone (P6), Temple Blocks (P6)
Player 4: Marimba [4.5-octave]
Player 5: Marimba [4.5-octave] Steel Plank (P7), Splash Cymbal (P7), Bass Drum (P7), Suspended Cymbal (P7)
Player 6: Snare Drum, Low Tom, China Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, Ribbon Crasher, Brake Drum, Xylophone (P3), Temple Blocks (P3)
Player 7: Bass Drum (P5), Hi-Hat, Steel Plank (P5), Splash Cymbal (P5), Finger Cymbals
Player 8: Brake Drum, Kick Bass, Large Suspended Cymbal (P9/P1), Gong, Marimba [4.5-octave]
Player 9: Glass Bottle, Low Tom, 2 Congas, Large Suspended Cymbal (P8), 2 Opera Gongs, Glockenspiel, Bongos (all shared with P9), Large Ratchet

• Players 3 & 5 and 4 & 8 share two 4.5-octave Marimbas.
• Other shared instruments have the player number sharing them in parentheses.

Program Notes
Packed full of odd rhythmic groupings, complex layers, and angular grooves, Bad Timing is meant to be a constant exercise in rhythmic gymnastics. There’s always a groove present, but the ensemble has to work a little harder than usual to make it happen. It uses a wide array of sounds (glass bottle, steel plank, brake drums, opera gongs, upturned gong, etc.) alongside traditional percussion instruments to forge a bombastic journey through constantly changing time signatures and rhythmic complexity.

Bad Timing was written for and premiered by the Choctaw High School percussion class of 2022.