Jazz Solo - Tony's Way

[Maytridy]

Hey guys,

I'm performing a level 6 jazz drum set solo at my school solo fest tomorrow. It is titled "Tony's Way". It was written by Rich Thompson; inspired by Tony Williams. This solo features a lot of his licks and I try to play in his style. The solo is an official NYSSMA solo, but I don't think it's legal for me to scan the music and post it for you guys to follow along.

I'm currently a junior in high school and I'm 17 years old. I've been playing drums for a little over five years.

I would love any comments you can give. Although commenting on the actual content won't help much because I have to follow the ink. I would love comments on technique, style, and interpretation though!

The beginning is a bit tricky, so listen for me counting in so that you can catch the rhythms more easily. The tempo range is half note = 120-132.

http://media.putfile.com/Tonys-Way

Thanks!

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

This is very nice. Great dynamics and technique. I really like the snare and ride sound.

[Drummer Karl]

Reeeally good playing!!
Love your feel and just how you executed it. Nice, nice!

A question: When you were playing the singles or doubles on the snare drum after the small break you played a crescendo. But in which dynamic level were you starting and in which are you supposed to end it? (Just curious)

Good work!

Karl

[Maytridy]

Thanks for the comments!

Karl, I'm not really sure what section you're referring to. Could you point out a possible time or measure number?

[jazzin']

Hey, sounded great! Technically it all worked well together. Dynamics were good, flowed well.

The only thing I would suggest is it sounded very straight. Try and focus on swinging more when playing time and comping.

Other than that it was great. Good luck with the solo.

[Maytridy]

Yea, I'm not sure how to swing at that tempo really. At tempos around this, shouldn't I straighten them out?

[Drummer Karl]

Depends on how the band wanna have it and in your case how it is notated.
Is it in triplets or straight eight notes??

Learn the swing feel, even at tempo 300 and higher. God, that is hard...sometimes I think it takes a life to get a pleasing thing.

Keep it up, you know...there are tons of potential in my opinion.

best,

Karl

[Nergretty]

Very nice!

Keep up the good work

Cheers
Nergy

[Maytridy]

Thanks Karl and Nergretty.

I had my solo today. I got a 99/100. I messed up my sight reading a little bit. The judge did comment on how straight the 8th notes were, but he said in a solo situation it was up for to the drummer to determine the style. He did say exactly what Karl said though: if it were with a band, I would have to be able to do what they want. So I should work on swingin them too.

[Class A Drummer]

That solo sounded great man. It seems like alot of fun to play. Where did you get this music from? I would love to learn it. It would be a great little project to get started on. Ive never worked out a jazz solo before.

Congrats on getting the 99/100.

[Maytridy]

Thanks man. The music is from a booklet of bebop-ish drum solos, ranging from level 5 through level 6. It was written by my drum teacher, Rich Thompson (the professor of drum set at the Eastman School of Music). It's pretty cool because each solo is in a certain drummer's style. There's one for Max Roach, Big Sid, Art Blakey, Tony Williams, and more.

The book is titled "Jazz Solos For Drum Set, Volume 1" by Rich Thompson. You can contact your local sheet music dealer, or visit the publisher's website www.kendormusic.com for more information. They are only $8 each - a great investment in my opinion.

[Drummer Karl]

Congrats to the good result!
Good to hear that.

But yeah, keep it up...and also keep working on your swing. The straight swing you play in the solo sounds great. Just keep practicing...the swing is the motor.

Karl

[KCDrummer]

Great job man! You've got a very mature sound for such a young cat. I was nowhere near ready to tackle the Tony style when I was seventeen. Congrats on the 99/100!

[jazzin']

Excellent! Man, 99/100! You should be very happy. Well done.

On the swing thing though, you should work on being able to keep definite triplets up to around 270. After that, or around that, you start to straighten out. In most audition type settings they would expect you to play that as swung unless otherwise noted by the player...just for future reference.

Congrats!

[Maytridy]

Thanks for the tip, Jazzin

[jangus]

Yeah at that tempo it's way too straight. I dug it though. Nice job.

[jazzin']

Thanks for the tip, Jazzin

No worries man. Look forward to hearing more stuff in the future.

[delliejonut]

Thats some really good stuff, man, too straight or not. It probably would be a little harder to play swung, but you got a pretty good feel for it anyway. I'm majoring in jazz drumset down at the university of alabama, and it would be really cool if I could find this music. Is there anyplace I could buy it or download it or anything?

Im just trying to get my hands on all the music I can so I can learn to sightread better... at the moment its one of my weaker suits.

[jazzin']

Delliejonut, there is a book called 'Contemporary Drumset Solo's' by Murray Houllif. It has about 8 solo's in it that vary between different styles of jazz. Or more between different styles of actual players. Houllif has really done his work as he gets each style of player down very well. There is a Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, 'Philly' Joe Jones and a couple of other latin, rudimental type solos in it.
It's very well worth looking into as it would help I think with what you are looking for into this genre.

Although, if you don't know this already, you should really get stuck into Louie Bellson's 'Modern Reading Text in 4/4' to get some serious sight reading skills happening. Check 'em out, hope it goes well.

[Maytridy]

delliejonut, go to www.kendormusic.com and find the book titled "Jazz Solos For Drum Set, Volume 1" by Rich Thompson (click "all publications" at the top, then scroll down to "solo music" and click "drum set", then scroll own and find the book). There is information on there to purchase the music,

[Sirwill]

Very nice piece here. You young guys are starting to make us older drummers take notice and lessons. HaHa! Great job! As Karl said "It takes a life to get a pleasing thing". I think you are on the right track to please many my friend...

[drumminjohn]

That was really good, I love your snare and ride sound..
What kind of snare is that? and what is that ride too?

[d.c.drummer]

Could you send it to my email joethedrummer@gmail.com. Putpile doesnt work on my comp.

[Maytridy]

Sirwill: Thanks for the compliments!

Drumminjohn: Thanks man. The snare is the Pearl Signature Omar Hakim snare (13", African Mahogany) and the ride is a 21" K Custom Special Dry Ride. For those who are curious, the toms and bass drum are part of a 1960's Slingerland kit (Niles).

D.C.drummer: I sent you the file via a web service called YouSendIt. Let me know if something goes wrong.

[aydee]

great stuff. Love the dynamics, the press rolls and the poly rhythms. Great time and articulation. good job, bud!

[Jazz]

Cool, man! Good job on the score too!

[Maytridy]

Thanks for the compliments! I'm currently working on a new solo for this January's solo fest, so I'll have a new recording for you guys within a month.