Hang onto your hats and glasses! This exercise in timing and independence for
the advanced battery ensemble will test the mind and the ears, as well as just
downright make some folks uncomfortable. Flash Gordon Henderson is the latest
concoction by Murray Gusseck and was heard throughout 2009 in DCI warmup areas
around the country.
It works the timing and independence concepts by way of the players themselves
providing their own metronome—a quarter note in one hand while slaloming
a series of rhythmic twists and turns with the other. Designed by Murray to
be a cool and interesting way of working basic rhythmic independence concepts,
the end result for the battery section is anything but basic. Parents with
small children beware!
NEW OPTIONAL VIDEO KICKSTART AVAILABLE! (19 minutes)
Now you can hear it straight from the horse's mouth! We've just added a new video "KickStart" for this piece featuring composer Murray Gusseck giving personal video instruction on how to achieve various techniques and key concepts, all tailored to fit the piece. This video lesson is mainly for rudimental snare players, but players of other instruments will get something out of it as well! To purchase, simply select Video KickStart from the pull-down menu above. Video download times may also vary depending on your connection.
This piece is available as a Single User part (one part,
no score, licensed to one user), or an Ensemble Set (score,
parts, licensed for one ensemble to perform). For more details
on legal usage of downloadable sheet music from Tapspace, click
here.
NOTE: Once you've purchased
this item and payment has cleared, you will receive a personalized download
key via email. This download key is a coded link that will take you to
a secure page to download the product. You will not receive a physical
product in the mail. Download keys expire after 72 hours,
so be sure to save product to your hard drive. Learn
more about downloadable products in our FAQ.
Demos
Flash Gordon Henderson Reviews
Ritesh Gupta
“This is a brilliantly written exercise. Aside from the transparency of the notation and the explanations, this exercise will challenge even the most "independent" player. It's even better that Gordon Henderson is my band director! Great job, Murray! Let's hope Santa Clara plays this for years to come. Go, Vanguard!”
Elias K
“Any exercise that makes a baby cry must be good.”
Jamie S.
“It's about time Gordon Henderson got the recognition that he deserves in the drumline community. Flash Gordon as well. He'll save every one of us.”
Joel McAda
“1 +, e a, + 4, a awesome.”
Mat Campbell
“Independence with a twist...very true. Now if you have mastered this excercise (Good job for that) now try marking time to it...Talk about 4 way independence. I'm sure Vanguard could pull it off.”
