Suite for Lounge Lizard

Ready for a barrage of speed and flair on a set of five drums? “Suite for Lounge Lizard” throws down from the very beginning and never lets off the gas pedal. Bob Bollman composed and performed this solo in 1986, winning the DCI timpani individual solo competition two years in a row. Bollman’s performance on the publisher’s website is exceptional, demonstrating the talent needed to successfully play this suite.

The feet and hands both have several challenges throughout, between quick tuning changes and even faster rhythms. Players will need to figure out unique tuning schemes to make the piece work for their drums, as most standard sets of timpani cannot comfortably get the high pitches used in Bollman’s performance; for example, the opening tuning scheme for Bollman is A, E, G, A, and C, potentially requiring 32-, 26-, 23-, 23-, and 20-inch drums.

The piece is broken into three movements, each with a distinct character. The first — after a lightning-fast introduction — establishes a swung feel with quick tuning on a moving bass line and syncopated hits. The second is slightly slower, employing a three-over-two hemiola throughout while also requiring swift tuning for melodic lines. The final section adds a cowbell in a mambo style and a China cymbal for impact and effect. This last act is the most impressive, flipping between speedy syncopated grooves and rapid solo fills that culminate in epic glissandi down the drums to a climactic, emphatic finish.

All three movements fly by at around four minutes, making this solo a perfect closer or encore piece for the ambitious timpanist looking to captivate a crowd with speed and dexterity. “Suite for Lounge Lizard” is an impressive display for the hands and feet of the timpanist, requiring a high level of technical facility in both areas. For those up to an intense challenge of chops and coordination, try Bollman’s award-winning solo for an exciting, high-energy thrill.

—Matthew Geiger
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 2, April 2022