Music for Botany for caxixí and maracas

composed/performed by Jeremy Muller video by Dave Thibodeau For more info please visit: http://jeremymuller.com/ Ensemble version: http://www.bachovich.com/music/0961 Solo version: http://www.bachovich.com/music/0983 In Music for Botany, the time modulation moves from five to four to three. Although the same process occurs with rhythmic compression and intensive activity, the important element is the shift from merengue to joropo; or from the Brazilian caxixí to the Venezuelan maracas. The merengue pattern played by the maracas is soon covered up by the 3+2+1+2 accent pattern heard in the caxixí. This tends to negate the maraca part giving the emphasis to the caxixí and a non-Venezuelan musical style. Throughout the course of the piece, the instruments gravitate towards rhythmic patterns that exist in a joropo. The ambiguity of two or three (6/8, 3/4) is strong in joropo and one of the fascinating elements of the melody. Because of this phenomenon, it gently lends itself to aural am