Three Black Kings: Part I. (King Balthazar)

Percussion Instruments: This movement features three percussion players: 
   -One on Timpani and Jawbone (Vibraslap)
   -Another on Marimba
   -Another (labeled “traps”) on Congas, Bass Drum, and Cymbal

Listen for the buzzing sound made by the Vibraslap in this section!

The piece begins with measure-long rhythmic patterns, that are played four times each! 

• Listen to the Notable Passage
• Pause the video, use the Instrument Labels on the side of the score to find the similarities and differences between each pattern
• Use classroom instruments to play each pattern!

Note: This way of notating rhythmic patterns later became a staple of minimalist music (ex. Score Video: Steve Reich - Music for 18 Musicians)

Now that we know our rhythmic patterns, let's try to perform along with the first section of King Balthazar! 

Wait a minute... look out! Our rhythmic patterns are interrupted by a buzzing percussion instrument called the Vibraslap.

Make a listening map of the first section:

• Make symbols for the rhythmic patterns
• Make a symbol for the eighth notes in the violin at 0:31
• Make a symbol for the buzzing vibraslap. Draw how many times you hear it! (3, 2, 3, then 8 times!)
• Try to play along, pausing when the vibraslap comes in!

A syncopated pattern of dotted quarter notes interrupts the steady eighth note texture! 

Clap the quarter note beats, then clap the dotted quarter note syncopations to feel the difference!