Phylogenesis (2016)
Solo snare drum and playback track
7:25
Phylogenesis (2016) is a work for a solo percussionist using two snare drums and audio. The title refers to the evolutionary history and development of an organism, and the musical development within this piece loosely mirrors that concept. As the inspiration for this piece, I considered the journey of organic life from its simple but alien beginnings to our modern, familiar present.
This piece was commissioned by my good friend Francisco Perez and premiered at the University of Kentucky in May of 2016. I would like to thank Francisco for the commission, for producing the audio track (which makes the piece WAY better), for putting together an excellent recording for the promotional video, and for years of friendship and musical adventures.
Feel
The opening groove with the scraper and cross-stick should have a “slow 2-2-3” (7/8) feel, as opposed to a fast “2-2-3” (7/16) feel. This is suggested by the beaming of the rhythms. Performers may find it helpful to keep this drumset groove in mind as they play:
Compare this to the opening groove in Phylogenesis:
The key takeaway is that the second scraper attack should feel like an upbeat (read: lean into it!). This approach will give the first section a back-and-forth, almost dance-like quality.
Scraper (rasping) stick
The scraper, or “rasping” stick required for this piece has become harder and harder to find. Players have used a few different models throughout the years, including most recently the EQ Percussion rasping stick, which sadly is no longer available. As of this writing, the best option seems to be the Liberty One rasping stick, available here at Steve Weiss: https://www.steveweissmusic.com/product/rasping-stick/multi-use-mallets
I am currently exploring additional options to provide a stick for players who want to play this piece. I will post an update here if those efforts bear fruit.
Reflection
Phylogenesis holds a special place in my heart. It was my first published piece of music, which kickstarted my confidence as a composer (“people actually like my music!”) and my relationship with Tapspace Publications, a company whose work was formative to me as a young musician. I wrote it primarily in my “office” (a converted uniform closet) at Keller High School, the place where I cut my teeth as a young teacher right after college. When I think of Phylogenesis, I am taken back to that room and to the wonderful tribe of people who I met in my time there. I find myself filled with gratitude for where I have come from.
Looking back, I find this piece to be filled with a youthful exuberance that becomes harder to come by. It is fast, unapologetically virtuosic, and a little weird. It is probably my most physically challenging concert work to date. This degree of demand is something that I prioritize less as I get older, but I look back fondly on the energy of this piece.
I am pleased that Phylogenesis has found a place in the repertoire, and has been played by many talented players. Phylogenesis has even been played by two different winners of the prestigious Black Swamp Contest: Bao Tran (2023, College Division) and Jonathan Sicard (2021, High School).
Phylogenesis was also used as inspiration for Mike McIntosh in the composition of The Cavaliers 2023 show, “Where You’ll Find Me”. Innovative Percussion produced custom, hand-made rasping sticks, designed to produce that rim-scrape effect from a marching snareline. Example at 4:19 in this video: https://youtu.be/ljmN4cDAq7c?si=1drfduoBBJiQzTjt&t=259