Composed in March of 1985, Prime Set is a twelve-part canon for solo percussionist, nearly all the parameters of which are based upon the prime number series. The percussion instruments are divided into three groups of four instruments/timbres each: skin (tambourine, tom-tom, high and low bongos), wood (wood block, temple block, castañets, pod rattle), and metal (sleighbells, cowbell, brake drum, gong). In addition, the percussionist uses four different mallets, thus enhancing the variety of attack possibilities. The canon subject (stated twice in each of the twelve “voices”) is basically a straightforward ordering of the twelve available timbres, each successive voice “transposed” by means of a “timbral matrix.” The gradual diminution and subsequent augmentation of rhythmic materials results in a simple arch-like structure of increasing then decreasing textural density. The work is notated using a four-line tablature staff, each line representing a different mallet; instruments are represented by twelve different symbols, the placement of which on the staff indicates the mallet(s) to be used.

Prime Set is dedicated to percussionist David Yoken, who premiered the work on 22 October 1985 at the University of California, San Diego. It is included on the album Improbable Encounters (innova 873, 2014).