Fidget (Perc Ens 8)

Featuring a balanced ensemble of 4 keyboard and 4 battery percussionists, Fidget borrows a rhythm from the agogo bell/cowbell part in Daughtrey's popular percussion quintet Shock Factor. Portions of this motive appears throughout the piece – sometimes as the focal point and sometimes as an accompanimental figure. Regardless, the piece features driving rhythms and memorable melodies from beginning to end.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 8
Level: Medium | Duration: 4:40

Instrumentation
Percussion 1 (Xylophone, Bells, Chimes)
Percussion 2 (Vibraphone)
Percussion 3 (4-octave Marimba)*
Percussion 4 (4.3-octave Marimba)*
Percussion 5 (4 Timpani, Wind Chimes)
Percussion 6 (Snare Drum, 4 Concert Toms, Triangle)
Percussion 7 (Kick Bass laid flat, Tam-Tam)
Percussion 8 (Splash, Suspended, & China Cymbals, Hi-Hat, Woodblock, Shaker)

*Players 3 & 4 may perform on one 4.3-octave Marimba if two marimbas are unavailable.

Program Notes
Featuring a balanced ensemble of 4 keyboard and 4 battery percussionists, Fidget borrows a rhythm from the agogo bell/cowbell part in my popular percussion quintet Shock Factor. While the rhythm is only fleeting in the original work, it has stuck with me since I wrote the piece 10 years ago. Set in 4/4 time, it has a twitchy/fidgety/stuttering feel to me that starts and restarts, stumbling over itself in its brief two-bar duration.

Portions of this motive appears throughout the piece – sometimes as the focal point and sometimes as an accompanimental figure. Regardless, the piece features driving rhythms and memorable melodies from beginning to end.

– ND