Something Old, Something New

As the title suggests, this solo includes something old and something new. The “something old” is based on a solo theme Jamie Vilseck wrote when he was in high school. The “something new” portion is the result of Vilseck pushing himself to incorporate new and challenging ideas.

This solo starts out in 3/4, with a two-measure ostinato played on the shell with the right hand. The left hand plays various rhythms using both the drumhead and a cross-stick. The left hand then joins the right on the drumhead, with fast, accented phrases utilizing single strokes and paradiddle-themed rudiments. The time signature switches to 4/4, utilizing rhythms such as sixteenth notes, eighth-note triplets, sixteenth-note triplets, thirty-second-note triplets, and nonuplets.

Tempo and dynamic changes occur throughout the piece. The solo is rhythmically complex and technically demanding. The performer will find something challenging in almost every measure!

—Jeff W. Johnson
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 1, February 2022