4 + 1 = ?

Percussion x 4, Max/MSP and SuperCollider, 2001
The life of the amateur percussionist is a lowly one. He/She is forever being called upon to bash cymbals together at appropriate moments or to provide trills on the triangle whenever conductors and teachers cannot find a 'real' percussionist to play the part, because they know how to count and hit things in time(ish). 4 + 1 = ? is dedicated to anyone who has ever found themselves in this position. It is their chance to prove that they can do more than count 78 bars rest and play more than one instrument at a time.

The four separate parts are combined with live electronics, provided using Max/MSP and SuperCollider. At first the two elements are quite distinct, but as the piece progresses they merge to create a single huge texture as the percussion sounds are processed in real time and mixed with pre-recorded sounds. As for the title? Answers on a postcard...