Sheet Music by Percussion Music Composer Todd Ukena

Who Knows $3.00

Who Knows? by Todd Ukena
(snare drum solo)

This solo was an exercise in counting. Accents and rhythms may occur in an eight-measure phrase but when and on what count just depends. It was originally written for 6th grade beginners in their second semester when beginning 16th note patterns are becoming familiar and students are exploring flams and some rolls.

Preparing dynamics as well as flams above the drumhead is important. Use the areas of the drumhead to further emphasize the dynamics. (p – on the drumhead near the rim, f – in the center of the drumhead, other dynamics moved away or toward the center in proportion to the dynamic level indicated.)

The title was meant to explain when accents happen (who knows?) But it is a musical joke as well, taking a cue from Abbot & Costello’s “Who’s on First.”

“What are you playing?” “Who knows?”

“I asked, what’s the name of your solo?” “Who knows?”

“Don’t you know the name of your solo?” “Who knows?”

(I can just picture some obnoxious 6th grader explaining the name of their solo. What a hoot!!)