Conversations for Two Tambourines by Bobby Lopez

Conversations for Two Tambourines by Bobby LopezPerformed by BluHill Percussion Duo

Notes from the composer:Conversations for Two Tambourines was written when I was a graduate student. I was doing a substantial amount of tambourine playing and orchestral study when I came across an excerpt in Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra." There is a tambourine excerpt that has a quarter note preceded by three grace notes. This sections required the grace notes to be played very close to the release, yet still maintaining the articulation of every note.

After spending was seemed like an eternity of time in the practice room on this concept, I fell in love with the feeling and sound of that particular figure on the tambourine. It was that idea that become the impetus for this piece.

My study of the classical tambourine excerpts gave birth to the different ideas contained in this piece. For instance, there is a section where the players have an extended pp roll. I once saw Neil Grover perform an extended pp roll which transitions into a shake roll and was amazed not only at his technique but also the seamlessness of the sound.

This piece explores many (but not all) of the sounds and colors the tambourine has to offer. It is my hope that it may aid in your tambourine study and serve as a fun piece to help break the monotony of studying 4 bars of music at a time. Have fun!