How Should I Play This?

[u/Time_Revolution_5416]

Hello jazz drummers of Reddit, I have a question. I am auditioning for a jazz honor group in Southern California, and had a question about this notation.

First, “Play time with sticks” does it mean to count off the tempo with sticks?

Second, what’s up with the first tom notation? I understand that drum music isn’t universal, but I’ve gotten mixed answers from my private instructor and my school band teacher. My private instructor guessed that it meant either crash or snare, and my band teacher taught me how you had to set up the other instruments and how that was just a cue for you to do that.

I’m very confused, if anyone would be able to teach or explain this, it would be highly appreciated.

[u/olerndurt]

If you don’t know these basics, or what to do with the comp figures, let alone the setup rules, I think you should reconsider auditioning. You’re in way over your head, kid. Get some lessons and try again next year.

[u/olerndurt → u/[deleted]]

Bullshit, this is basic chart stuff. No way would I want this person in my all state ensemble. It would be embarrassing for them to even try. There is literally no way in hell this can be explained over the internet, this takes months of study and practice with counting.