Being Little (Solo 4-Mallet Vibraphone)

Being Little is a four-movement work for solo vibraphone based on several special activities that parents share with their newborn. Each of the movements features distinctive characteristics to musically identify with one of those activities. The four movements are entitled Stretch, Smile, Story, and Sleep.

Genre: Vibraphone (4-mallet) | # of Players: 1
Level: Medium | Duration: 10:30

Instrumentation
Vibraphone (3-octave)

Program Notes
Being Little is a four-movement work for solo vibraphone based on several special activities that parents share with their newborn. Each of the movements features distinctive characteristics to musically identify with one of those activities. The four movements are entitled Stretch, Smile, Story, and Sleep.

Stretch is presented without specified note durations, but should be performed with each note head receiving a reasonably comparable value. An “x” after a note indicates that that note be dampened (with a mallet) upon striking the next note. The pedal should remain depressed for the entire movement and motor speeds observed carefully. Stretch features gradually expanding and contracting intervals, depicting the full body stretches of a newborn baby.

Smile is a playful dance intended to portray both the silly games parents play to convince their child to smile and the pure joyfulness of a happy baby. This movement should always feature a degree of forward motion and a light touch.

Story includes a spoken narration to be performed by the soloist. Pedaling is indicated throughout and should be observed carefully. Any pedaling line without an up bracket at the end indicates that the pedal should remain depressed into the following line. The performer should strive to present both the story and the accompanying music in an engaging and dramatic way.

Sleep is the obvious . . . a lullaby for the baby.