Description
Composer’s note: I originally wrote this piece for Saxtet as a saxophone quartet with me, as tenor player, moving to the drum after the slow intro. Once we became a quintet I had an opportunity to add a a tenor part to the fast section, with me on drum from the start. A quartet could either have its tenor player learn the drum part, or use a percussionist.
The drum used should mimic the sound of a bodhrán, the Irish folk drum. To do this I used an antique military snare drum with skin heads and removed the snare. The pattern and accents I have written should be varied ad lib. I suggest listening to some Irish folk music to get the idea.
This piece is written about Northern Ireland which is where I was born and spent my first twenty-one years. It is about the conflict there and also reflects many of the musical forms I came into contact with: Irish folk music, Protestant marching bands and a still-flourishing pop music scene.
The E-Edition PDF bundle comes with the following parts:
Standard parts
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone & Drum
Optional parts
Tenor Saxophone
“Gig!” is also available in hard-copy from June Emerson Wind Music.
tom.saxtet –
….A work of conflict, courage, strength and resilience.
The Irish Times
tom.saxtet –
The use of the drum in Gig is intriguing and Andrew Tweed indicates his wish for the sound to mimic the bodhran, an Irish folk drum. The alto solo at the start of this piece is rewarding to play and is a good foil for the fast section to follow.
Clarinet and Saxophone, Spring 1995