Instrumentation

Flexatone, Glock/Xylo Mallet, Bow, and Stomping

Duration

ca. 4 minutes

Composer’s Note

Percussionists always get to play the "miscellaneous" instruments which sometimes include things that sound silly. I think every percussionist has enjoyed the flexatone for this reason. One day I was curious to see if there were any solos for this instrument, but the only piece I could find was Juri Seo’s “FOUR” which is a quartet. So, I took it upon myself to write this piece. To me, the Flexatone reminds me of alien sounds so I intended this piece to act as the player making a call to any extraterrestrial life.

As you play the piece, it should become more apparent that you are not in control of your body. You will start the piece, but the Flexatone finishes it. The Flexatone should develop “a mind of its own” as if the instrument itself is calling to its mothership. As this happens, the player should react in shock, horror, or confusion to what they’re unwillingly doing. The Flexatone will control the player's hands, feet, and eventually their vocals. In the end, the player can choose whether the call has worked. I recommend using a spotlight to indicate an alien abduction to end the piece before cutting to black if lighting options are available.