Matthew Hough

Woodworking

for two tenor saxophones, two electric guitars and two drumsets

(2005)

Hough House

New York

About the composition

Woodworking was written for my former ensemble/band, Zs, in 2005. It is broken up into three duos, each of which

play together all the time. The saxophones have their own part, the guitars have theirs, and the drumsets always

play the composite rhythm (up until the final section). This piece is about working together, getting more in tune

with each other, and reaching a state of harmony and communication that only can happen from practicing and

spending a lot of time together. We recorded this piece and it is on our album “Arms”, available from Planaria

Recordings (CD) and Gilgongo Records (LP).

Instrumentation:

two tenor saxophones

two electric guitars (Fender Stratocasters with Fender Tube Amplifiers)

two drumsets (both require: bass drum, high and low toms, snare drum and hi-hat cymbals)

Performance Notes:

It is preferable to do this piece without a conductor, but if necessary a conductor may be used.

All sounds should be loud, aggressive and harsh. Do not use any effects on the guitars, however, other than some minimal amp reverb.

Individual saxophone notes should be strongly articulated, but not staccato. The grace notes (always before the beat) should be slurred, and play

tenuto when marked.

Snares should be turned off for the snare drums.

Key to Drumset Notation:

This is a transposed score.

Duration: 3 minutes

www.matthewhough.com