Quadratics: The Tenor Drum Equation

by Patrick R.F. Blakley

Quadratics: The Multi-tom Focus is a book geared toward the marching tenor drummer as well as the percussion instructor and composer. The book shines light on subtleties often overlooked by composers such as flow and counter-melodic lines. These ideas will also help behind the drums as the drummer can uncover new capabilities within their skillset. Quadratics is designed specifically for more advanced drummers. This allows the content of the book to merely touch on basics, identifying a starting point, and push forward from there. The flow of the book inclines similarly to a standard drumline warmup structure. Several parallels can be drawn in order to create a complete learning experience.

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2014

About the author

Patrick R. F. Blakley is a SAMMY award-winning percussionist from Syracuse, New York. He is a music judge for the New York State Field Band Conference and participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2018! Patrick has written two technical marching percussion books and also a children’s book called Drummy Drum Joins Marchy Band.

The children’s book inspired his Drummond novel, which explores the question of why a drum would join the marching band in the first place. As it turns out, the drum was just a projection of his inner-self and Drummond had to find out who he really was inside! Drummond then uses that information to try to fit in and connect with his new family. Check out Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music!