More than 64 Solos Based on Richard Burdick’s I Ching Scales

by Richard Burdick

$36

"My scales based on the patterns of the I Ching have now gone through four revisions; this work and my horn duets, op. 132, are the most important works using the second revision of the scales.  This work is intended as very advanced etudes or as recital/concert pieces.  My goal was for 64 different pieces, all contrasting.  These were written during my first winter in Canada; really the first winter I ever experienced, since I grew up in California without snow. This is also before I built my own recording studio, which was a significant change in my life. For these solos, I didn’t write without an instrument in front of me as I usually do. I sat in front of the TV set with a practice mute in my horn and pillows around me. I improvised on my scales writing these solos down from the improvisations. Slowly working through about ten solos at a time adding a little each day.
Other horn players have used these as sight-reading practice. I hope they become an important part of college recitals."
- Richard Burdick
​Written in the Fall & Winter 2003-4 In Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada