Hands Down
multiple hand-drum solo
Download a sample MP3 music clip 
Composer: Chad Floyd
Publisher: Innovative Percussion, Inc.
Instrumentation: djembe, conga, quinto, and bongosProgram Notes: Hands
Down
received its premier performance by Dr. Chad Floyd at the 2010 Kentucky
Collegiate Music Educators Fall Conference in Elizabethtown, Kentucky as a
demonstration of hand drumming technique. The piece uses a variation of
hand, bush, and bundle stick techniques on djembe, conga, quinto, and bongos.Review: “Created for a presentation demonstrating
hand drum techniques, this three-minute work showcases an advanced performer’s
tone production, facility, and hand-to-hand coordination. Utilizing a small
world percussion setup, one must be experienced with bass tones, muted tones,
open tones, slaps, and heel-toe technique before approaching this work.
Exploring other unique timbres, Chad Floyd makes use of both a wire brush and a
“bundlz” stick. With the amount of differing techniques, the descriptive
engraving helps avoid any confusion.
Loosely using a single motivic idea between
sections, this through-composed piece is based around sixteenth note groupings
of 2-2-3. Although it is not metrically structured in 7/16, this thematic
element serves as a common idea between the sections. While I enjoy the entire
piece, my favorite part is the introduction. Clear thematic
elements, improvisational ideas, and hemiolas make for an attention-grabbing
opening.
The next few sections revolve around
highly syncopated grooves. Using hand coordination similar to that on drumset, the
composer continues to incorporate improvisational elements. With the help of a
tempo change, the last 20 measures increase the intensity before reaching a sudden
end.
I always appreciate recital programs
that contain variety in style, mood, and instrumentation. If your next performance
is lacking the element of world music, this piece can provide a quick taste of
a different flavor the audience will likely enjoy.” - Darin Olson, Percussive Notes March, 2013