Jing Fling (2025)
Jing Fling may be performed in one of three different ways: 1) a standalone duo; 2) a duo with drum accompaniment; or 3) a duo with digital playback accompaniment. It is not recommended to play with both the drum and digital playback accompaniment combined. The single drum accompaniment part may be played by one player, but ideally the accompaniment is played in unison by 3-6 performers, each on their own drum. The duo performers should read from a score (duo score enclosed) as it is important to realize and internalize the counterpoint at all times.
Instruments
Duo: Each performer uses 1 pair of traditional Chinese Jing cymbals
Live Accompaniment: 1-6 performers playing their own low drum (ideally traditional Chinese toms, but may substitute concert toms, bass drums, and/or other similar drums). All performers play in unison.
Digital Playback Accompaniment: A digital backing track (composed by Ben Hausman) is provided, which changes the sound world and delivery of the piece, providing an alternate way to present the work.
*Purchase is for digital score/parts (PDF format) and digital playback file, as well as access to a video demonstration of the performance techniques. All necessary materials for all three versions of Jing Fling are included.
- Performed by
Quey Percussion Duo (Gene Koshinski and Tim Broscious) and members of the University of Delaware Percussion Ensemble: Jacob Fullinwider, Kyle Skinner, Carl Tafoya, and Joe Tremper
Jing Fling explores the surprisingly vast potential of two pairs of jing cymbals, small handheld cymbals often seen in the traditional music of China. The piece pays tribute to traditional Dǎ Liū Zi music of the Hunan Province in China. Dǎ Liū Zi music utilizes four performers playing handheld percussion instruments; a small gong (Xiao Luo), a larger gong (Da Luo), and two pairs of “clapping cymbals” playing fast interlocking rhythms in various ways on the Tou Bo (downbeat pair) and Er Bo (offbeat pair). More specifically, Jing Fling tips its hat toward a traditional Dǎ Liū Zi piece called Pheasants Travel in the Mountain, which has personally been a source of inspiration to me as a student and performer of traditional Chinese music.
This work is dedicated to Professor Shanlin Jiao who has provided me many wonderful opportunities to immerse myself in Chinese music and culture.