Max Roach Solo – Jordu

Jordu drum solo transcription – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Max Roach’s drum solo on “Jordu”, from the album Clifford Brown & Max Roach. Every phrase is written out in clean, print-ready drum sheet music.

About Jordu drum sheet music

“Jordu”, written by pianist Duke Jordan, is one of the classic tracks on Clifford Brown & Max Roach, the first album by their famous quintet. It is a favourite of jazz students learning bebop repertoire.

Max Roach’s solo is a masterclass in melodic phrasing and bebop vocabulary. At around 140 bpm it is a great place to start studying Roach – the ideas are clear, the phrases are musical, and the structure follows the tune.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

The Jordu drum transcription on this page is written from the original studio recording – not from a live version and not from a simplified arrangement. If you have been searching for Jordu drum notes that actually match the record, this is the complete part, from the first bar to the last.

Song sections are clearly labelled, so you always know where you are, and the layout follows the song from start to finish. The PDF is professionally engraved, prints cleanly and reads just as well on an iPad or any other tablet.

Song facts

• Artist: Max Roach
• Album: Clifford Brown & Max Roach (1955)
• Drummer: Max Roach
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 140
• Style: bebop jazz drum solo

What you get

Here is what is included with Jordu drum sheet music:

• The full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording
• Clearly labelled song sections
• Professionally engraved, print-ready PDF
• Instant download after purchase

How to practise Jordu on drums

Once you have the Jordu drum sheet music, here is a simple way to learn it:

1. Listen many times. Sing the phrases first.
2. Learn phrase by phrase. Two bars at a time, slowly.
3. Keep the swing. Play with a swing feel even when slow.
4. Use a metronome. Build up to ♩ ≈ 140.
5. Play along with the recording. Match Roach’s phrasing.
6. Use the ideas. Bring the phrases into your own solos.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Free versions of Jordu drum notes online are often tabs typed out by ear, with missing fills and rhythms that don’t match the record. A proper transcription saves you hours of guessing: every part is checked against the original recording, the rhythms are exact, and the layout follows the song so you always know where you are.

Who is this sheet music for?

This transcription is for intermediate to advanced jazz drummers, students and teachers – a great first Max Roach solo to learn.

About Max Roach

Max Roach was a founder of bebop drumming and played with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell. His quintet with Clifford Brown made some of the finest hard-bop records of the 1950s.

More jazz drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Max Roach Drum Solo Transcriptions Collection includes Jordu together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. You can also get other jazz songs one by one: What Is This Thing Called Love, Rhythm, I’ll Remember April and Hard Wired. See them all on the jazz drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Jordu drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Clifford Brown & Max Roach. Nothing is simplified.

Are these Jordu drum tabs?

No – it is proper drum notation, which is more precise than tabs because it shows exactly when every note falls. If you are new to reading, it is easier than it looks – each drum and cymbal has its own place on the staff.

When do I get the PDF?

Straight away – the download link appears right after checkout and arrives in your inbox, so you can print it or open it on a tablet.

Is Jordu a good first Max Roach solo to learn?

Yes – the tempo is moderate and the phrases are clear, so it is a great place to start.

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