Makin’ the rounds ($40.00)
MAKIN’ THE ROUNDS (2019) is a book of eight solos written for the beginner tenor player. The solos range from easy to moderate. The book begins to look at several techniques and playing practices (ex. scrapes, crossovers, etc.) used in tenor drumming, all while having fun! While some solos are written for quads, and others are written for quints, the performer can adapt to whatever drums and equipment they have available.
-Tree Climbing is a solo based off of a melody from Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.” In the story, the melody represents a mischievous cat, who I envision climbing a tree. Towards the end of the piece, we hear the cat become cool and laid-back when the rhythms switch to a swing feel.
-Columbia Pike was the name of the street my first Washington D.C. apartment was located. Enjoy the fun backbeats and grooves this piece has to offer in honor of the great times I had while living in the city.
-Drywall is a piece that begins to explore hand to hand independence around the drums. See what melodies you can bring to life in this solo! The meaning of the title, is up to you...
-Hudson’s Dish is a piece written about my newest and youngest cat, Hudson. Explore interesting new sounds and timbre changes, much like Hudson, exploring the world for the first time.
-32 is a title based on a 3-2 clave pattern. A mounted cowbell states the initial pattern, which will then be heard throughout the piece around the drums. Let this Latin groove shine!
-Band bus waltz is exactly what you think it is: a waltz. The performer will begin to experience interesting new challenges with tricky flam passages, and crossovers sprinkled throughout.
-Shenandoah crossing was the first solo written of this collection of solos, and was named after one of my favorite places in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park.
-Emerson’s fury is written about my first cat, Emerson. I wanted the solo to be a complete reflection of his complex personality. In this third and final solo about cats (for now) the performer will experience a plethora of time signature, meter, and tempo changes that will be sure to make your head spin! The dynamic contrast throughout is meant to represent Emerson’s periodic hot and cold temper.