Bubblegum (Perc Ens 7-8+)

Bubblegum is intended to captivate the simplicity in form, chord structure, and groove of those early rock and roll hits released by Motown in a percussion ensemble setting. Pulling from the style and even chord progressions from popular songs of the day, players and audiences will love it!

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 7-8+
Level: Medium | Duration: 3:10

Instrumentation
Bells
Xylophone
Vibraphone
Marimba 1 (4-octave)*
Marimba 2 (4.3-octave)*
Electric Bass (optional)
Auxiliary Percussion (Tambourine, Wind Chimes)
Drum Set

*The two marimba parts may be performed on one 4.3-octave instrument.

Program Notes
There is something refreshingly familiar and nostalgic about rock/pop music from the early-1960s. In a time where the music industry looked to take back the mainstream audiences from the first wave of controversial rockabilly musicians (Elvis, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, etc.), a record label in Detroit, Michigan called Motown created music by African American artists that could be eagerly received by audiences of all types. Groups such as the Temptations, the Shirelles, the Four Tops, and the Supremes topped the airwaves with simple but catchy hit after hit from the studio with the sign "Hitsville U.S.A." above the entrance.

Bubblegum is intended to captivate the simplicity in form, chord structure, and groove of those early rock and roll hits released by Motown in a percussion ensemble setting. The A section features the harmonic progression from "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch" released by the Four Tops and the contrasting B section uses the chords (adapted slightly) from the bridge section of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" recorded by the Shirelles. Neither song's melody or bass line is used, but you will hopefully notice a similar character in all elements of this piece relative to the music of the era.

The EDGE Series
The EDGE Series is a collection of percussion ensembles featuring many popular musical styles – from funk to calypso to techno. It was developed to excite a wider range of ensembles, directors, and audiences while retaining the level of integrity you have grown to expect from C. Alan Publications.