In this lesson, we’ll be focusing on two different approaches which can be applied to the two books mentioned above. Here is my rendition of the entire solo, so you have an idea of how it goes. It is an excellent source of rudimental language, which can be easily applied to jazz. You can find a complete transcription of Rolling In Rhythms in “Modern Rudimental Swing Solos For The Advanced Drummer” if you wish to learn it. Philly Joe Jones was very emphatic about the Wilcoxon’s rudimental tradition, in his album “ Mo’ Joe” on the track “Trailways Express,” he plays the first 8 bars of Wilcoxon’s Solo “Rolling In Rhythms” as the intro.Īnd just like that, you can find traces of Wilcoxon’s influence all over his playing.

I would say Wilcoxon is for American drumming, what Shakespeare is for the English language. In these two books, Wilcoxon combines all the 26 American drum rudiments, and he does it in such a brilliant and musical way. They contain the fundamentals of the drumming language. If you don’t have them, I encourage you to click the links above and purchase them.

Those two books are a must in any drummer’s book collection. Among them, it is important to point out “The All-American Drummer: 150 Rudimental Solos” and “Modern Rudimental Swing Solos For The Advanced Drummer.” Wilcoxon taught up until his death in 1978, but luckily for us, he left behind a series of books which have become standards in the drum education field. Among those students are John Riley and Steve Smith, two of the most influential drummers and educators of our time, who helped bring the Wilcoxon’s influence into every single genre in American music. Some of their students became renowned worldwide and passed along the Wilcoxon tradition. Philly Joe and Morello were also educators, and they would force all students to study from the Wilcoxon method books. Drummers Philly Joe Jones and Joe Morello were two of his most famous students, and both lead the jazz scene in the 1950’s as members of the Miles Davis Quintet and the Dave Brubeck Quartet, respectively. He wrote several books on hand technique and Rudimental drumming.Īlthough for many, the name Wilcoxon might not ring any bell, his imprint on the art of drumming can be found everywhere.

Charles Wilcoxon was one of the most innovative and prolific drum educators/Authors of the 20th century.

Joe morello exercises