Review

David William Brubeck
Stereograms: Rhythmic Etudes for Bass Clef Instruments:

Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2012
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude

This unique collection of unaccompanied pieces can be utilized in the studio as a set of études, and they are performable as well. The source material comes from a variety of genres including children’s songs i.e. The Itsy Bitsy Spider and You Are My Sunshine, folk/popular songs i.e. On Top of Old Smokey and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and classic jazz tunes i.e. When the Saints Go Marching In and Just a Closer Walk With Thee. Alternate octave choices make these pieces practical on other bass clef instruments. 
 
Each of these short pieces includes a simple representation of an original melody, followed by a transformation of the tune. Brubeck calls these transformations Stereograms, creating a musical representation of the visual phenomenon of overlaying 2D images to create a 3D effect. The unaccompanied melodies include harmonic and melodic material like Telemann Fantasies and Bach Cello Suites, but with more modern musical backdrops like swing, funk and latin grooves. 
 
For the original tune, a tempo is provided, but no articulations or dynamics are used.  Stereogram M, based on Go Tell Aunt Rhody, does not include a representation of the original melody. This is one of several minor inconsistencies in formatting that might be addressed in subsequent additions. Some of the Stereograms include specific indications regarding style like ‘New Orleans Street Beat’ and ‘Bright Gospel Swing,’ while others only include tempo markings. Some include dynamics, some do not.  Although the collection is intended for ‘Bass Clef Instruments,’ it includes suggested trombone slide and F-attachment indications without explanation to indicate they are for trombones only. This might create confusion for people who play other instruments.
 
Overall, this is a fine addition for the teaching studio. This unusual offering may be used to teach students to master Swing, Funk, Reggae and Latin styles. Its rhythmic complexity provides a great sight-reading or audition challenge.

-Sean Reed
Arkansas Tech University