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In Hexyl, composer Chad Floyd delivers a tasty drumset solo full of melody, dynamic nuance, and groove. Using a simple 4-piece bop setup, the piece begins at a whisper with the main theme on just the cymbals. Over the course of the introduction, this main theme is developed around the kit until it is firmly entrenched in the listener’s ear. At this point, the thematic explorations take on more complexity without losing the listener. Following a standard arc, the solo ends as it begins.
There is a high degree of accessibility inherent in this work, as the entire thing grooves along at a very moderate tempo. This makes Hexyl an ideal choice for developing performers looking to further their musicality on the instrument while solidifying timekeeping skills.
“Hexyl” is an interesting piece written for a standard four-piece drum set. Chad Floyd takes a two-measure cymbal rhythm in common time and embellishes it throughout the work. The theme starts with off-beat sixteenth and eighth notes, ending with a spacious half note. The theme is embellished both rhythmically (through the use of thirty-second notes and diddles) as well as sonically (by adding the other cymbals and bass drum).
Instruments are incorporated into the piece one at time: small tom, floor tom, and snare drum (with snares off). Halfway through the solo, rhythmic intensity is built using sixteenth-note triplets. Later, the hi-hat is incorporated into the rhythm, giving it a linear, Steve Gadd-style feel. A repeated hemiola phrase issued to transition into a heavy, grooving funk feel (with snares on ). The solo then lessens in both intensity and dynamics before restating the original cymbal rhythm.
The soloist is required to obtain multiple sounds from the instrument such as rimshot, ghost notes, dead strokes, ride cymbal crashes, crush strokes, slams between drums, and double stops. At less than 3.5 minutes, this piece would be a nice addition to a recital program. It would also be a good way to introduce drum set players to multiple-percussion solos.
—Jeff W. Johnson
Percussive Notes
Vol. 55, No. 2, May 2017
In Hexyl, composer Chad Floyd delivers a tasty drumset solo full of melody, dynamic nuance, and groove. Using a simple 4-piece bop setup, the piece begins at a whisper with the main theme on just the cymbals. Over the course of the introduction, this main theme is developed around the kit until it is firmly entrenched in the listener’s ear. At this point, the thematic explorations take on more complexity without losing the listener. Following a standard arc, the solo ends as it begins.
There is a high degree of accessibility inherent in this work, as the entire thing grooves along at a very moderate tempo. This makes Hexyl an ideal choice for developing performers looking to further their musicality on the instrument while solidifying timekeeping skills.
“Hexyl” is an interesting piece written for a standard four-piece drum set. Chad Floyd takes a two-measure cymbal rhythm in common time and embellishes it throughout the work. The theme starts with off-beat sixteenth and eighth notes, ending with a spacious half note. The theme is embellished both rhythmically (through the use of thirty-second notes and diddles) as well as sonically (by adding the other cymbals and bass drum).
Instruments are incorporated into the piece one at time: small tom, floor tom, and snare drum (with snares off). Halfway through the solo, rhythmic intensity is built using sixteenth-note triplets. Later, the hi-hat is incorporated into the rhythm, giving it a linear, Steve Gadd-style feel. A repeated hemiola phrase issued to transition into a heavy, grooving funk feel (with snares on ). The solo then lessens in both intensity and dynamics before restating the original cymbal rhythm.
The soloist is required to obtain multiple sounds from the instrument such as rimshot, ghost notes, dead strokes, ride cymbal crashes, crush strokes, slams between drums, and double stops. At less than 3.5 minutes, this piece would be a nice addition to a recital program. It would also be a good way to introduce drum set players to multiple-percussion solos.
—Jeff W. Johnson
Percussive Notes
Vol. 55, No. 2, May 2017
