Hexyl by Chad Floyd

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.