Axis Practice by Trichotomy
Trichotomy bassist Sam Vincent and drummer John Parker collaborate with master percussionist Nozomi Omote in this work from composer Thomas Green.
Sheet music and backing tracks available: https://www.preparedsounds.com.au/product/axis-practice/
Composer Thomas Green says:
This piece is not for the faint of heart.
Trichotomy asked me to write a work for students, and I must admit, things got a little out of control.
Nonetheless, I believe advanced students can certainly have a shot at it. You’ll need an unusually ambitious bass player who is able to do plenty of, ehem, Axis Practice.
On the topic of the titles: the harmonies in this work are a study of “Axis Theory,” which was developed by Ernő Lendvai to account for the harmony of Béla Bartók. So, the title is a pun on my extremely famous electronic music moniker which I’m certain you’ve all heard of, Praxis Axis.
The work also has a subtitle: “Nozomi's Amazing Odyssey”.
Nozomi has had an incredible life so far, training in Japan as a pianist and then making the brave choice to move to Australia and start a family here; but she also has a great imagination, and I can envision her going on some sort of fantasy journey, so this music is the soundtrack for that journey.
• You can repeat sections which aren’t marked as repeat, if desired. It’s modular, and so any section of it may be repeated. It’ll work find as-is, but you could, say, double the end section. Up to you!
• There are two performers for the marimba. This may be with single or separate instruments. It is possible to split up the marimba part even further and attempt it with more players.
• It would even be possible to double some of the treble sections with xylophone, to create a “pingier” sound.
• Drums: use the part as a guide only, to build on.
• The strange tempo-flexible section at F is an experiment, composed to suit a “broken toy” style of drumming.
It will work if bass and marimba can somehow follow along, and will be impressive to behold if done well.
Tracklist
| 1. | Axis Practice | 4:34 |
Videos
Credits
Recorded by - John Parker
Mixed by - Thomas Green
Mastered by - Thomas Green & John Parker
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
License
All rights reserved.
Sean Foran - piano / John Parker - drums / Samuel Vincent - bass.
TRICHOTOMY are one of Australia’s most inventive contemporary music ensembles.
The trio skillfully blend dense, exciting improvisations and delicate atmospherics, conjuring up sounds of modern jazz, ambient music, avant-garde rock, free improvisation and contemporary classical.