Charley Wilcoxon’s Modern Rudimental Swing Solos and The All-American Drummer: 150 Rudimental Solos

THREE CAMPS WITH A TRIPLET OSTINATO ON MY BASS DRUMS.

Tapping into the versatility of classic method books and applying them to other instruments is far from a new concept, whether it be using George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control or Ted Reed's Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer to develop coordination behind the drumset.

Charles Wilcoxon (1894-1978) was no stranger to expanding his published works for snare drum beyond their original purpose. One of his well known students was a jazz legend, Philly Joe Jones, who is probably most famous for his work with Miles Davis.

Wilcoxon had a significant impact on Jones's playing and teaching. Philly Joe Jones required his students to purchase and work out of Wilcoxon's Modern Rudimental Swing Solos for the Advanced Drummer and often played Wilcoxon's works in his playing. In "Trailways Express" from Jones's album "Philly Joe Jones, Mo'Jo", he even began the song by playing note-for-note the first eight measures from "Rolling in Rhythm" from Modern Rudimental Swing Solos.

My first introduction to Wilcoxon's work was The All-American Drummer: 150 Rudimental Solos. I bought the book and painstakingly went through it on my own.

Later on, while studying with the great Allan Dawson, I noticed it on his music stand and asked about it. He explained his concept of swinging the rudiments and adding ostinatos underneath the solos. He also told me a story about performing with a symphony and not being able to play softly enough. He took that experience as a challenge and practiced Wilcoxon's material softly enough to hear his Franz (electric) metronome! Mr. Dawson opened up a whole new world for me, introducing me to more ideas that I have since expanded upon.

Today, The All-American Drummer and Modern Rudimental Solos are books that I work and teach from. Their design allows students to gradually improve their command of the instrument from an accessible starting point. Their progressive and fundamental approach to developing rudimental skills makes them useful across various musical situations.

The skillfully crafted compositions and progression of the solos help students to develop their hands at all dynamic levels. Also, once familiar with the book(s) at a comfortable volume, I recommend revisiting them at dynamic extremes, using brushes and playing ostinatos with their feet beneath the solos of their choice!