Shades of Black was written under the influence of the Vietnam War. The idea for the title came from a popular song during the sixties called “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones. Tension and multiple layers are spread throughout the piece giving a dark and confusing atmosphere. Shades of should be played on three different sized snare drums beginning with four soft marimba mallets to represent helicopters flying overhead. The brush and stick section is challenging and requires complete independence in the hands.
$25 - # 0704 - Various Authors (compiled by Solomon, Samuel): The PAS MassChap 2008 Snare Drum Collection
The PAS MassChap 2008 Snare Drum Collection was compiled in prepa ration for the MassChap 2008 Day Of Percussion. It includes FORTY new fantastic etudes for snare drum. Eleven works are by commissioned authors; the remaining twenty-nine are winners of the first annual PAS MassChap Etude Competition, narrowed from nearly fifty submissions written by percussionists and composers of all ages and experience levels from across the United States and abroad. It was released at MassChap's 2008 Day of Percussion. All proceeds from sales of the book benefit the Percussive Arts Society Massachusetts Chapter.
$10 - # 0642 - Tompkins, Joe: Ten Style Studies for solo snare drum
Ten Style Studies, written for sol o snare drum, examines various drumming influences, from Scottish to fife and drum styles, and applies them to ten different pieces.
$10 - # 0643 - Tompkins, Joe: Six Duets in a Rudimental Style for snare drum and bass drum
"The best thing to happen to the Snare Drum World in a long time!"
- Fernando Meza, University of Minnesota
"I haven't been this into a snare drum study since I worked on the Swiss Rudiments back in college!" - Chris Lamb, NY Philharmonic
"Joseph Tompkins' new solos are a unique and challenging diversion from the standard rudimental solos and collections used throughout the U.S." - Brian Zator, Texas A&M University - Commerce, review in PAS News
This book is, in essence, a collection of stately marches. It came about after an exploration of the French rudiments contained in Guy Lefèvre Le Tambour “Technique Superieure". After spending some time working with that book, I thought why not combine French and American rudiments in one setting? The French use of syncopated accents within groupings and combinations of quintuplets counterbalances the solidity of the American rudiments nicely, providing an occasional unexpected trip in the beat. Many French rudiments have been used here in their entirety, although a few have been modified. I would highly recommend referring to Lef¨vres book for a complete tutorial on this wonderful drumming style.
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$7 - # 0705 - Tompkins, Joe: Walkin’ Down Coolidge for solo snare drum [2:30 min.]
Walkin' Down Coolidge was commissioned by the Boston, Massachusetts PAS Chapter for their 2008 Day of Percussion. It combines American and French rudiments.
$7 - # 0742 - Tompkins, Joe: March for snare drum and kick drum (1 player) [1:30 min]
