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• Genre: Educational
• Date of Composition: 1977
• Instrumentation: 5-part brass ensemble (interchangeable instruments for treble and bass clefs)
• Publisher: Brass Wind

This volume of eighteen short pieces was published in 1977 in response to a request from the publishers for a range of pieces available in a wide choice of instrumentation. Thus, although the pieces are essentially scored for a normal brass quintet (two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba), the pieces can in fact be played by a wide variety of orchestral brass and brass band instruments.

In this volume I have attempted to introduce rhythmic complexities progressively and in such a manner as to educate the student in the best possible way through enjoyment. Experience has proven that these concepts are most readily digested when presented to players at an early stage of their development.

I have also attempted to use a number of different musical structures and techniques so as to provide the young player with an experience of certain elements of contemporary music. Thus, Improvisation in the Pentatonic the students are encouraged to develop their creative imagination within an established framework. Other pieces, such as Dance in 5/8 time and Dance in 7/8 time explore asymmetrical rhythms whilst New Sounds explores harmonic clusters. Although the pieces are intended to be used for education purposes, they can also be built into a small concert suite by selecting various contrasting pieces.

Copyright Edward Gregson

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