Programme Notes / Performance Details :

CaDance (ka-dans) is an intentional misspelling of the term "cadence", meaning the drum ostinato which accompanies a marching band. Here, the two drummers have ostinatos of different lengths (50 and 49 eighth notes respectively) and are constantly changing phase with respect to each other. Each of the drummers are also playing in two different meters (4/8+5/8 and 3/8+7/8) so it is up to the listener to determine what (if any) the meter is and where (if any) the downbeat is.

Towards the end of the piece (second line of "O"), the players are directed to play on their thighs. At first it will sound as if the pulse has disappeared, instead of actually being muted.

A practical rehearsal technique could be to play from one synchronization mark to the next to ensure that there is no phasing, and that both percussionists are repeating correctly. It will be noticed that the most complicated staff (staff "M") is identical with all other lines with certain deletions. If this line is learned by heart, the rest of the piece will be much easier to play. As each percussionist has to count repetitions and swing with the other, there is no time to read notes.

The two percussionists are to play this piece standing up. This requires a very precise positioning of the drums. Basically, the main problem lies in the positioning of the two foot-pedal instruments (high hat and bass drum). The high hat is placed (as usual) in front of the percussionist and is operated with the toe of the left foot. The bass drum is placed behind the percussionist, and is operated with the heel of the right foot. This technique needs a little practicing, and some sturdy leg muscles, but provides a percussional ballet as well as a very intensive performance.

Best performance set up is with the two percussionists facing each other, with the bass drums slightly diagonally towards the audience. The tuned toms are tuned high to low with tom-1 as the highest and tom-4 the lowest.

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