Hexyl – Chad Floyd

Hexyl was written in the spring of 2014 in preparation for an upcoming drum set clinic tour entitled "perSEEve your music". The original purpose of the piece was to show the listener how a single theme (presented in the first two measures) can serve as the sole compositional element for the entire piece. This solo also demonstrates how the listener can perceive the theme as being present even without an explicit statement.

The letters that comprise the title of the piece are taken from the names of each of the four schools on the clinic tour: "H" and "E" (Edgewood High School), "X" (Xavier University), "Y" (Youth Performing Arts School), and "L" (University of Louisville). A basic bop kit (snare, bass, two toms, hi-hat, ride, and crash) is all that is needed.

Tapspace Product Description:
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.