Eight on 3 and Nine on 2 by George Clements and Robert Marino is a multi percussion duet. The piece combines drum corps elements into a challenging formal recital piece for any percussionist. Two players perform the piece facing each other, sharing instruments just as they share in playing almost every rhythm in the piece. The listener is engaged aurally and visually as both performers sound like one in an exciting and captivating percussive showcase.
I’ve wanted to play this piece for so long and the best bit about it is I got to work with my best friend, Jamee Seeto! We’ve been performing together since grade 8 which is now almost 9 years! I saw this piece performed in a recital by two of the fourth year students in my first year at the conservatorium. Jamee and I talked about performing this in our graduating recitals. We thought it would be a totally boss way of finishing our degrees.
As it turns out, I was the only person in my year that graduated after exactly four years. Meaning that I’ll be joining Jamee in her graduating recital in 2016!
We rehearsed this piece a lot by ourselves and got to work on it with all of the teachers in the department. Francois Combemorel, Nozomi Omote and Vanessa Tomlinson all brought their knowledge and experience to this piece. Each teacher gave us different things to work on and challenged us. Francois approached the piece with a lot of attention to detail and made us focus on what was written. Nozomi directed us to create the same sound. She suggested that we find a uniform sound because I was playing with a much heavier sound to Jamee.
The last run through of the piece before the recital was with Vanessa, who didn’t have other opportunities to see the piece played. Each teacher has a different approach to everything and it was fun to experience that. One paid more attention to detail in the music whereas another would pay attention to the sound.
I’m always very glad to work with Jamee and this piece was no exception!
Thank you to all the wonderful teachers for your insight on this piece and to Jamee for being the best percussion since grade 8! We’ve been through a lot together and I was so honoured to share this with you.
Enjoy!
Tsoof
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