Rock Fugue For Two Vibraphones, Piano, Bass & Drums (Score Version)

Sheet Music Available: https://www.timcollinsmusic.com/rock-...
Stream this song: https://glmmusic.de/RockFugue

Years ago on a whim I decided to try composing a Fugue using only Wikipedia as a reference. I have some experience with fugues - I've played the Fugue from Bach's G Minor Violin Sonata on Marimba before, and I've listened to a lot of classical music with counterpoint.. but I also like to look at compositional 'rules' really more as a way to get started and develop an idea when you aren't sure what to do.

I took a simple idea and followed the instructions for a basic fugue, paying attention to things like Subject, Countersubject, Episodes - also trying to sort of follow the general Tonic/Dominant structure..

Because I wanted this piece to sound jazzy, I used a motif that had wide leaps - often more than an octave. I also used syncopated rhythms - this has a cool effect once all of the voices are going.

While this exercise in composing a 'fugue' was cool - I always reserve the right to simply allow my ideas to take on a life of their own, and in my opinion this is the best case scenario for composing. I started with an idea, followed the rules, and then suddenly other ideas started coming to me. I would finish one section and immediately know where the piece should go next. This doesn't happen all that often - and when it does I throw out all 'rules' and 'plans' and just follow my gut. So, is this REALLY a fugue? You tell me. It sure starts like one, but after awhile I don't really care how you define it because I like how it develops.

I hope you enjoy and thank you for listening!
-Tim Collins

#fugue #vibraphone #composer #jazzmusician

Check out my jazz vibraphone courses: https://www.timcollinsmusic.com/courses/

Find me on:
Instagram: @TimCollinsVibes
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Rz9R...

The Killer Jazz Vibes Book: https://www.timcollinsmusic.com/kille...
My killer vibes riff book: https://www.timcollinsmusic.com/15-fo...