This short piece for beginning youth orchestra is an ode to the snarling, idling, mess that is
the world’s most heavily trafficked freeway, the San Diego “405 Freeway”—at 8am. It is
also an introduction into extended instrumental techniques. Every instrument gets the opportunity to play some extended techniques. Winds make air sounds and key clicks. Strings tap their instruments with their fingers. Clarinets play a simple multiphonic. Trumpets detach their mouthpiece and blow into the bell of their instruments. Violins bow behind the bridge. Lower strings play on the bridge (sul ponticello). All strings and brass play an upwards glissando
at the end. Additional extended techniques may be freely added to make each
performance unique. Additional percussion instruments and effects are also possible. Encourage students to create their own unique sounds.