Perfect Circles by Brett Dietz

Perfect Circles is a set of 12 pieces that move through the circle of fifths, with the aim of supplementing the current repertoire. The titles of the pieces are shapes and forms that are found in Sacred Geometry. None of the pieces require pedaling. The compositions are short and can be learned within a week’s time. This way, a student can progress through the pieces within a semester of study.  

After 14 years of teaching at the university level, it became apparent to me that one of the issues with the solo timpani repertoire was the gap between advanced and elementary compositions. A student who became proficient with his skill on the different strokes and rolls could perhaps play one of Elliot Carter’s Eight Pieces for Four Timpani, but learning the nuances of Carter’s metric modulations would likely be problematic. As a student of Stanley Leonard, I am very aware of his incredible contribution to the repertoire, but many of his pieces require advanced pedal dexterity and can be frustrating for some students. John Beck’s Sonata for Timpani and Bill Cahn’s Raga are also very popular in our studio but also require an upper-level intermediate player.

There are multiple timpani method books by Saul Goodman, Vic Firth, Mitchell Peters, Raynor Carroll, and other modern timpanists who contribute valuable studies to the literature without closing the gap. Once a student plays through the book, he moves on to the orchestral repertoire. This is, of course, a suitable method for moving through the curriculum. It is not, however the only path to the development of a strong timpanist.

What I have written is a set of 12 pieces that move through the circle of fifths, with the aim of supplementing the current repertoire to help fill the gap. The titles of the pieces are shapes and forms that are found in Sacred Geometry. None of the pieces require pedaling. The compositions are short and can be learned within a week’s time. This way, a student can progress through the pieces within a semester of study. For a public performance, I would recommend doing three or four of the pieces.