Blue Sly
for solo marimba
Blue Sly, a medium-advanced marimba solo by Chad Floyd, that gets its title from the “sly” movement of the left hand which supports the melody in the right. A rhythmic motive is presented at the beginning and is utilized throughout the piece along with a recurring “sly” melody that varies and intensifies as the piece develops. A sneaky sense of groove is conveyed in the writing, and the performance should be “slyfully” fun.
This solo can also be found in The Blue Book – Volume 3 along with over 40 other solos for snare drum, drum set, mallet keyboard, and timpani.
This piece ships as a fully bound score or as an instant PDF download for printing or tablet viewing.
- Solo marimba (low A)
Reviews
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Jim Lambert –
This nearly 2½-minute unaccompanied four-mallet marimba solo provides intermediate-level performers with a delightful compound-meter challenge (the opening portion is in 12/8, with a “reflective” 9/8 section contrasting the opening). The overall effect of this solo is one of a moderate compound-meter groove — yet with just the right amount of rhythmic melody, which creates and provides a continuous motion in its presentation.
A superb audio recording of “Blue Sly” is available on the Tapspace website. This solo would be appropriate for the pre-college solo marimbist.