Fear Cage

Written by Kirk J. Gay. Published by Tapspace Publications (www.tapspace.com)
This isn't your ordinary timpani duet. Two players are surrounded back-to-back within a circle (or cage) of 9 timpani. In addition to timpani, a variety of effects are used, such as bowed crotales on the timpani head, and pedaling the drum while a prayer bowl rests on the head. Players rotate stations and share drums while the dark undercurrent of the included soundscape accompanies them.
Performers: Jonathan Cooper and Kirk J. Gay. Audio soundscape composed by Jay Batzner. Video produced by Will Vizoso.

[@metalfool4295]

as a non-percussionist and a composing ignoramus, pieces like this wow me with the infinite possibilities of percussion instruments. Makes me want to go and start banging things together and seeing what kinds of cool music can be made. Good things indeed.

[@BrandyCandyCane]

It's a piece of art. Saying "who would want to listen to music like this" is like saying "who would want to view a Picasso painting? It's all too abstract." Ctrique it as you wish, but speak for yourself when it comes to a matter of opinion.

[@Skutieos7]

I'm happy to have performed this with a good friend of mine last year.

[@calayatan8603]

awesome, you can almost imagine the scene

[@KenNickels]

Variety is the spice of life. I cannot say that I'd give it repeated listenings, but it surely deserves one roll in the hay.

[@TonyRodz11]

what a amazing timpani duet, love the dark feel of the music.

[@Gandalf6500]

This piece scared the living crap out of me!!!! Nice one!

[@firehandszarb]

I love this piece. The skill and discipline to play it is astounding. The sound is very evocative as well as being an interesting collection of sounds. For me music with an element of danger (controversy, difficult skill, emotional vulnerability, newness) is really be worth listening to.

[@vermilionbutterfly]

Agreed, I love the effect this piece gives off. It's so eerie and full of emotion. 5 stars (:

[@jimcasella]

That's a bowed crotale on the edge of the timpani head.

[@MrAPlays]

I love the rain sound effects. Awesome touch.

[@khorijwilson]

when you get reply's like this on top you know your listening to the right stuff.

[@charleyhibschweiler4555]

The only thing that would make this scarier is a trumpet section and an angry band director.

[@PoisonXGun]

The wonders of Percussion!

[@Skutieos7]

totally. dark ambient music is one of my favorite genres.

[@TehHansell]

This is amazing.

[@brebis2956]

Excellente pièce , beaucoup de finesse . Bravo

[@anthonyparis5674]

Brilliant!!!!

[@TimothyMcGawUK]

I love it!

[@zildrum117]

Wow COOPER!!! He was my PIT Tech!!

[@ChristelVinot]

whaaaat! I love it!

[@chipperP]

Its extremely hard to record tympani well. Compositionally, this is a great piece.

[@chenkunhua]

I love it so much for

[@AlexPetcu]

Very nice piece. Would love to do it where I live but unfortunately we only have timpani with squeaky pedals!

[@bluetifulidea]

awesome

[@BulliedByBobRoss]

Rarely have I seen such a cool idea for the NEW use of timpani. I'm used to the classical use of timanis in the orchestra and I like it, but sometimes, you just want something very special.

[@100fakeman]

Just about everything about this video was perfect, but you're right. I don't why you got so many negative votes....If you have any hint of negativity on KZbin people dislike your comments.

[@leonard03]

i think im going to play this with a friend.

[@AnthonyMariano2112]

Thats the kind of timpani my middle school has!

[@Nunreal69]

9 timps!

[@lilianatapia2915]

dis is cool and pretty creepy people and awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jangtheconqueror]

the beginning sounds tighttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

[@lolztpts6]

omg i was looking at Van Halen vids how did I end up here lol

[@robotzful]

wow

[@MikeGotJams]

in the description there is a soundscape as well.

[@aaronrocs]

the first minute and a half makes me think of "the lady in the lake" or the "evil sorceress" from the movie "Excalibur".

[@sergeyolson7815]

My interpretation of 'Fear Cage' is an individual is forced inside this cage of drums and to perform lest he gets sacrificed, should he play with renown he will live. Most have not survived, now enter these two and see their fate played out...

[@noahgormanmusic1843]

I love this explanation better than the actual one

[@Skutieos7]

The only problem is acquiring 9 timpanis, a singing bowl, and bamboo wind chimes.

[@Lyxilokojo]

I have absolutely no interest in practising timpani or studying, or whatsoever. I just love that piece and would gadly go watch it performed. Gave me the chills.

[@makakamakaki]

Fear cage?Nope.It's dream cage!

[@Spoonwood]

Reminds me of 70s Doctor Who.

[@GryphonMaster09]

You can use brushes on the tips?! No way! This is epic :D

[@Dthatsmi]

That was sweeeet! Great special effects, but what part of the timp was he bowing exactly? Just the rim? Good job though!

[@TheXrythmicXtongue]

Please PLEASE...Could you guy's set up a timpani arrangment of "Another Reflection" by Nujabes..If you haven't heard of it, just look it up on youtube. It will literally only take a minute to realize it is potentially one of the most beautiful pieces that could ever be played on timpani drums.

[@niclasschroeder849]

0:31 Are they using the bow on the drum or on crotales?

[@cristinacarrion2920]

Is there any way possible I can find out where those types of wind-chimes can be purchased? I am having trouble finding a set that looks like the one in the video.

[@mr.i2371]

is there are pre-recorded track going on? What is the instrument listing of the track?

[@malloryperry6761]

Yes! There is a track in the back but the instrumentation is timpani, Crotales with bows, a prayer bowl, and the bamboo chimes!

[@MonartBrigade]

Are you guys available for hire?

[@user-qi6zg2ft4f]

Круто ! Скоро и я себе сделаю литавру. Из тазика правда, но зато весьма качественно, а вместо пластика я знаю что натяну. Секрет не скажу. )))

[@MattNolanCustom]

Nice piece and performance! The film-maker needs to read up on the 180 degree rule though...

[@jangtheconqueror]

Are there any effects added to this, or is it purely the percussion instruments?

[@blewbyboy]

I know I'm late, but it's only percussion. That's why they put things on top of it, to make the different sounds resonate in the timpani.

[@noahgormanmusic1843]

There is an optional background track actually, but that just adds the rain and thunder effects

[@cheriehill3577]

WHY THE CHICKEN WOULD YOU WANNA HEAR PIANO FRWSDUWIEFKING WHY

[@VertuAnuMundu]

I know it is a matter of taste, but who else doesn't like that kind of steel and shatter sound on drums. It feels somehow wrong for this one, althoug i would like the song very much. Especially when they are played loud and more than 2 at a time, they tend to sound just like noise, just when the sound should keep a bit of it's "mistery".

[@MrAPlays]

I do. As well as 18,000 plus others. So your comment was pointless.

[@Khoriander]

better than Jacob sartorius

[@fletchervail6137]

Bit of an understatement

[@somberoceans]

anything on here is better than jacob sartorius

[@thisistides97]

If you still have that theory on the concept of music and sound, you are severely hurting yourself....

[@LazyBastard69]

You're pretty close minded for a guy who's got Jazz in his name.

[@martinslythe]

no interest

[@bobhedstrom]

no cymbals; all low frequency sound, gets old. click.