Syncopated Precipitation

Water is pumped intermittently onto a roof structure so that water drops fall off the roof’s edge, as if it is raining. The water drops fall in a rhythmic pattern that is determined by the contour of the ‘drip edge’ of the roof. The musical elements of accelerando and decellerando can be achieved by pumping water periodically onto the roof. The water drops fall onto a collection of suspended metal and plastic objects that form a rhythmic percussion ensemble. Each percussive object has a contact pick-up attached to it, and the percussive signals are amplified through loudspeakers, built into a compartment under the roof.

©Gordon Monahan 2009