Ulterior Motifs

Description

Flute, Oboe, Flute 2, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Horn in F, Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Bells, Chime, Timpani, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Ride Cymbal, Percussion 2, Crash Cymbals, Brake Drum, Ride Cymbal, Hi-hat Cymbal, Tambourine, Vibraslap, Wind Chimes, Triangle, Cabasa — To understand my thoughts in writing this piece, I thought it best to define the two ideas that give the piece its title: ulterior motives and musical motifs. Ulterior motives occur when you believe that a person is doing something for some unknown or hidden reason. Often, they are used in action films or literature to increase the drama and tension of the story. Musically, a motif is a short rhythmic and/or melodic idea. When I wrote this piece, I must confess that I had my own ulterior motives: I wanted to create a piece that was fun to play, but I also wanted a piece that would help students develop their rhythmic counting skills. In this piece, I use a motif of a two eighth-note pattern which jumps from section to section to help me achieve my ulterior motive.Mimicking the mood of action films whose characters often have ulterior motives, the mood of the piece is suspenseful and exciting as the motif jumps from section to section throughout the ensemble. The motif keeps you guessing as it occurs on all four different beats of the measure sometimes ascending, sometimes descending, and occurs sometimes in the interval of a second and sometimes the interval of a third. Interesting grooves in the percussion throughout add to the piece’s feel of mystery and thrill.I have no ulterior motives when I say that I hope you enjoy playing Ulterior Motifs. The title, Ulterior Motifs, is a play on words but composer Matt Putnam had his own ulterior motives in mind when writing this piece. He wanted a piece that was fun to play and helped developing musicians work on their rhythmic skills. Putnam uses the feel of action film soundtracks to create the mood of this intriguing piece.Interesting grooves in the percussion part add to the mystery and thrill.

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