Gradient is scored for saxophone and piano and these instruments play an equal role throughout the work. This work is primarily focused on the spectrum of sound created by the two of these instruments together. Extended techniques are employed in order to explore a common ground between the saxophone and piano. Gradient explores two different spectra: one that has the saxophone and piano on opposite ends with characteristics of both instruments intersecting in the middle, and another spectrum that contains all of the sounds from both of these instruments with similar sounds from each instrument occupying the same area of the spectrum. While this piece is in exploration of sound, the compositional approach is a process-oriented one that deals with the evolution of, and relationship between, pitch and rhythmic material.

-Baljinder Sekhon