This piece uses counting to help us know where we are in a musical space. It also requires that everyone is able to count independently, whatever the overall sound of the group.
I SIT in a circle and count the number of people in the group. This number will be the number of beats in the piece. Let's say that in this group there are seven people.
II THE person who starts first is counted in with clicks, setting up a medium tempo for the group. The first person then begins an even count from 1 to 7. The "One" (first of every seven beats ) is accented by shouting it louder than the other numbers.
III MEANWHILE, the next person to enter follows the same procedure, starting their count on the first person's "Two"
| PERSON 1: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| PERSON 2: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| PERSON 3: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 2 | ||
| PERSON 4: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1 | |||
| PERSON 5: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||||
| PERSON 6: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| PERESON 7: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
As can be seen from the diagram, each person's count is different, so if identical counts can be heard at the same time, someone has gone wrong.
V ONCE this sequence has been comfortably maintained by the group, everyone now has the choice of accenting as many or as few of the beats from 2--7 as they wish. However, the "Ones" must still be accented.
VI COUNT the numbers silently, with only the "Ones" and other accented numbers spoken (or shouted!).
VII FINALLY, stop accenting every "One" -. you now have complete freedom as to which numbers you choose to accent. It is up to everybody to keep their own place, as there is no longer the reference point of the constant "Ones" going around the circle.
OTHER IDEAS AND EXTENSIONS
I WHEN all the previous stages have been completed, it is possible to go back to step II and play through the piece using instruments. Any pitches may be used, and the counting is the same, except that the numbers are now being played instead of spoken.
II ANOTHER idea is to start using sustained notes wherever you choose, whilst still maintaining the count, always knowing exactly where you are.
III HALFWAY beats can also be added (see the One Two piece).
POINTS TO WATCH
Maintaining an even tempo. Keeping your place in your own count without being put off by other people's counting. This becomes more and more difficult as the piece progresses - there are fewer and fewer regular sounds tie the "Ones" and other numbers to help you. When playing the piece on instruments, it becomes harder to remember where you are, as all the counting must be done in your head. This becomes even more difficult when sustained notes and halfway beats are added. Make sure that the "Ones'' (when they are accented) are really accented. In the early stages, up to step V, you can check that everyone is in the right place; the "One" should pass around the group in turn. If you found this piece helpful, also look at the later stages of THE BIRD.