The inspiration for 2AM, a generally peaceful and somewhat brooding piece, came during a sleepless rainy night. An acoustic guitar is the principal sound source for the accompaniment, and some vocal interjections, such as whispers, are also heard, along with the sound of rain during the introduction and epilogue. The guitar is often used percussively to provide a rhythmic underpinning for the solo. The composition portrays a quiet middle-of-the-night mood, and the soloist is given the option of playing muted throughout to help create the proper atmosphere. Technical demands are not great, but a steady sense of tempo and its varied subdivisions is necessary to stay in synchronization with the accompaniment. Expressive lyricism and a smooth connected legato style are essential for making the most of this quietly moving composition. -the publisher