JNNJ was commissioned and premiered by Hunter Brown and Louis Pino in 2016. The piece is inspired by the life and dynamics of my family. The title is a combination of the first letters of mom, dad, and two sons.
Technical Needs
- One computer with a DAW or Max: Download files from www.joowonpark.net/jnnj . A Logic Pro X session is provided on the composer’s website, but any DAW will work. The tape part can also be played with the provided Max patch.
- Two speakers (stereo)
- Two headphones for click tracks
- An audio Interface with four separate outputs
- TapeL.aif should be routed to output 1, connected to the left speaker
- TapeR.aif should be routed to output 2, connected to the right speaker
- ClickTrackL.aif should be routed to output 3, connected to Perc1’s click track
- ClickTrackL.aif should be routed to output 4, connected to Perc2’s click track
Performance Needs
- Two percussionists with a snare drum and a large cymbal for each performer.
- Both performers use brushes for the entire piece.
- Perc1 stands close to the left speaker, and Perc2 stands close to the right speaker
Performance Notes
- Each performer gets his/her own click track. The click tracks will run in different tempi, and will gradually change the rate over the entire piece. Each performer should follow the tempo of his/her own click track.
- Interpret the score like a jazz chart. Improvise in the notated style (funk and swing).
- Pay attention to the pitch of the click track to hear the section changes.
- Section-specific notes:
- S1: The tape part will fade in at around 20 seconds mark.
- S2: Perc1 transforms the rhythmic pattern to a swing (indicated as “target rhythm”) while slowing down.
- S3: Perc2 transforms the rhythmic pattern to more energetic and busy funk rhythm while slowing down. Listen for the white noise cue for the next section.
- S4: Both Perc1 and Perc2 trade off solo while speeding up. The trade off will gradually overlap each other. Listen for the white noise cues to play uneven brush sweep on cymbals.
- S5: Both parts will speed up significantly. When the tempo becomes too fast, freely improvise with great energy. Increase the use of cymbals throughout the section.
- S6: Both Perc1 and Perc2 plays energetic cymbal improvisation while slowing down. Accompany the tape part after the click track stops. At the end of the tape part (7:00), create a quiet windy sound by swinging the brush in the air.