With the Tot-related busyness (and fun) I hadn’t had much time to compose, but I had a scrap of staff paper and a scrap of free time Monday and jotted down a little musical idea that became today’s new composition. It bears the hallmark of a good bit of my composing over the last two or three years, with some multimeter; tight, parallel motion; and a dash of whismy.

“Parade of the Puppets” is a happy march that shifts between 3/4 and 2/4 time. The piece is scored for two marimbas and one electric bass guitar; the electric bass guitar part could also be played by a tuba or other low brass instrument (no need to transpose).

Here’s the original handwritten manuscript:

And here’s the finished product:

I decided to vary the electric bass part between the first section and the second. I think it helped to relieve some of the repetition (another hallmark of my composing, it seems) to make the piece a bit more varied and lively.

What do you think, dear readers/listeners? Would you attend this parade? Or are puppets moving together a bit too creepy as we sit on the cusp of the witching season?

Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Tuesday—and Happy Listening!

—TPP