Southwestern Spirit Suite

 Ancient Tribes is based on the traditional songs of the Native American Church, which were used for sacred ceremonies. The repeated pattern in the bass part is meant to depict the rhythm and the physical playing of the drums that would normally accompany these songs. Grand Canyons is an exploration of the awesome formations found in desert canyons. The swing, echo, and gyro techniques used throughout are literally meant to duplicate the echos and deflected sounds one might hear as if standing in a canyon. Ride'em Cowboy! is based on an old traditional cowboy song called "Big Corral." The lively rhythms and malleted notes depict the galloping of the horses.