I remember the evening this piece was written. The journal below gives a brief outline but I will fill
in a little more detail.
It was a school night - homework and so forth to be completed. I sat with my two youngest children, Emma
and James, and I asked them about setting me some 'homework' as they were heads down in theirs. It
seemed fair, if I can say so.
As I set about the composition - a technical exercise in some ways; an endeavour to create a work like
my 'Walkabout', for concert band - I felt the wonder of sitting with my 'scallies' (as I call those two)
and 'being' with them, all of us about our work and completing tasks and chatting and being Dad and
babes. I also remember the sense of 'oh' when I played them the work, via a Finale mid playback, when it
was finished. It was as if 'of course, that's what we expect' as if everyone's dad was a composer and
could throw off a piece like reading a book. I loved that evening. Consider my thoughts on that evening
here.
The above tells you there was little response from Emma and James. Julie milked it when she came home
from
the P and C meeting. "Cuppa then?" was the next response so I left this little gem and haven't even had
it
played for 'real' yet.
Reflections
I do like this and will complete it to performance standard (add bowings and so forth) because it's
catchy in melody and 'walking' bass and will interest the players. It can also be used to teach them.
Apart from the swing style utilised here there are the following techniques used in the work are obvious
and accessible for the players to learn about them - melody, walking bass that is like an ostinato,
counter melody, sequence, and canonic imitation.