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Dustin Schulze’s large ensemble piece Lucid Mantra centers around a continuous 16th-note groove started by the marimbas and subsequently carried throughout the ensemble. Schulze sought to create a jazz/funk inspired piece and, in his own words, the piece has a “highly syncopated texture, while still maintaining a deep pocket.” He achieves this jazz/funk feel brilliantly through an intriguingly syncopated melody, played by the crotales, glockenspiel, and vibraphones. In addition to rhythm section elements of bass and piano, the drumset part stands out as a featured voice. This part, in particular, requires a player with finesse and mastery of the instrument.
This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• Crotales (2 octaves)
• Glockenspiel
• Chimes
• 3 vibraphones
• 4 marimbas—(3) 4-octave, (1) low A
• Piano
• Drums (drum set (kick, snare, rack tom, floor tom), djembe, cajón)
• Cymbals & gongs (drum set (hi-hat, ride, crash, (2) splashes), sizzle cymbal)
• Accessories (triangle, shaker, shekere)
“Lucid Mantra,” written for the Seguin High School Percussion Studio in Texas, is an entertaining fusion of jazz and funk for percussion ensemble and rhythm section (piano, bass, drum- set). The piece is quite groove-oriented and tonal, made up of mostly rhythmic and melodic ostinati, with a multitude of syncopations and time signature changes adding rhythmic interest and effectively throwing off listener expectations.
The vibraphone and marimba parts require experienced two- and four-mallet performers. Although pedaling is not indicated, the vibraphone has clearly notated articulations, giving the performer some guided leeway. The piano part is simple enough that it’s possible a percussion student could play it. Schulze notates the drumset part completely and makes clear that the performer follow the part with “little to no ad lib.” The part requires an advanced player, well-versed in funk and rock styles. One performer is called upon to play a hand drum setup, consisting of cajón and djembe, with the addition of shekere, sizzle cymbal, triangle, and shaker. Hand drum technique, including slaps, is required.
Tapspace presents a clearly notated score, with a notation key, suggested setup, clear instructions, and a disc with a recording and parts. Although accessible from a technical and musical standpoint for an advanced high school group, the instrument needs are potentially prohibitive (four marimbas, three vibraphones, crotales). It does not appear that sharing instruments is a possibility. Therefore, “Lucid Mantra” may be better suited for a college ensemble, depending on instrument availability.
—Joseph Van Hassel
Percussive Notes
Vol. 57, No. 4, September 2019
Dustin Schulze’s large ensemble piece Lucid Mantra centers around a continuous 16th-note groove started by the marimbas and subsequently carried throughout the ensemble. Schulze sought to create a jazz/funk inspired piece and, in his own words, the piece has a “highly syncopated texture, while still maintaining a deep pocket.” He achieves this jazz/funk feel brilliantly through an intriguingly syncopated melody, played by the crotales, glockenspiel, and vibraphones. In addition to rhythm section elements of bass and piano, the drumset part stands out as a featured voice. This part, in particular, requires a player with finesse and mastery of the instrument.
This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• Crotales (2 octaves)
• Glockenspiel
• Chimes
• 3 vibraphones
• 4 marimbas—(3) 4-octave, (1) low A
• Piano
• Drums (drum set (kick, snare, rack tom, floor tom), djembe, cajón)
• Cymbals & gongs (drum set (hi-hat, ride, crash, (2) splashes), sizzle cymbal)
• Accessories (triangle, shaker, shekere)
“Lucid Mantra,” written for the Seguin High School Percussion Studio in Texas, is an entertaining fusion of jazz and funk for percussion ensemble and rhythm section (piano, bass, drum- set). The piece is quite groove-oriented and tonal, made up of mostly rhythmic and melodic ostinati, with a multitude of syncopations and time signature changes adding rhythmic interest and effectively throwing off listener expectations.
The vibraphone and marimba parts require experienced two- and four-mallet performers. Although pedaling is not indicated, the vibraphone has clearly notated articulations, giving the performer some guided leeway. The piano part is simple enough that it’s possible a percussion student could play it. Schulze notates the drumset part completely and makes clear that the performer follow the part with “little to no ad lib.” The part requires an advanced player, well-versed in funk and rock styles. One performer is called upon to play a hand drum setup, consisting of cajón and djembe, with the addition of shekere, sizzle cymbal, triangle, and shaker. Hand drum technique, including slaps, is required.
Tapspace presents a clearly notated score, with a notation key, suggested setup, clear instructions, and a disc with a recording and parts. Although accessible from a technical and musical standpoint for an advanced high school group, the instrument needs are potentially prohibitive (four marimbas, three vibraphones, crotales). It does not appear that sharing instruments is a possibility. Therefore, “Lucid Mantra” may be better suited for a college ensemble, depending on instrument availability.
—Joseph Van Hassel
Percussive Notes
Vol. 57, No. 4, September 2019
