Ode to the One-Armed Drummer by John Willmarth

In Ode to the One-Armed Drummer, John Willmarth explores a range of tasty rhythmic textures, all built around a rock groove. Most notably, groupings of five and 4:3 polyrhythms are featured throughout. The multipercussion setup resembles a drumset, but adds the colors of cowbell, jam block, splash cymbal, and mounted tambourine.

This work is a great way for intermediate performers to explore multipercussion setups and rhythmic layers. Originally written for a student of Willmarth’s who had a broken arm, it may optionally be played one-handed!