Spicy Tango Groove for Drumline

A groove that dances more than it marches.

This isn’t your typical 8-bar loop or warmup jam. At 30+ bars long and full of musical nuance, this piece demands attention—and earns it.

Originally written as part of a competitive fall field show, “Tango” is now available as a free-standing drumline feature, audition piece, or just a fun challenge for your battery.

With cross-sticking, rim clicks, dynamic shifts, and timbral variety, it’s got everything you want in a performance piece that hits hard and smart.

What makes it special?

• Tenors carry a melody that drives the groove—rare for a cadence
• Snares provide texture, color, and subtle contrast throughout
• Basses emulate a plucky cello line, common in traditional tangoFinal six bars explode into “Party Time”, a playful, high-energy closer
• Feels like a dance, not a drum break—playful phrasing and voice interplay create constant motion

This is not a sightread-and-go piece. It’s written for talented players who enjoy digging into stickings, shaping phrases, and bringing musicality to the battery.

Perfect for directors looking to feature their line, or instructors assigning a piece with real depth and payoff.

Performance Tips

• Encourage players to exaggerate contrast—rim clicks vs full snare, light tenors vs heavy basses
• Shape the dynamics from phrase to phrase like a string ensemble, not a marching block
• Use as an audition piece, halftime feature, or stand-alone showstopper in the lot

What you’ll get (free):

• Printable PDF score for snare, tenors, and basses
• Advanced musical writing with dance-inspired flavor
• 31-bar structure with evolving form, timbre, and texture
• Great for performances, auditions, or teaching musical interpretation
• Video and audio demos linked below for quick reference