I've Got You Under My Skins

You get access to the exact drum charts from the original Sinatra recordings, which means your students are learning from one of the most influential studio drummers in American music history. The inclusion of performance hints and in-studio photos makes this more than just sheet music; it's a window into how serious professionals approached their craft. Whether you're teaching jazz vocabulary, studio etiquette, or the subtleties of accompanying a vocalist, these charts are the real deal.

Elegant and conversational, these charts breathe with the ease of a master craftsman who knows exactly when to push forward and when to step back. You're reading the work of someone who played thousands of takes and understood that sometimes the most powerful moment is a quiet one.

Jazz and pop drummers who want to understand how to accompany singers with sophistication and restraint. This book speaks directly to students preparing for combo work, vocal jazz ensembles, or anyone curious about how studio drumming differs from concert performance.

• Listen to the original recordings while reading these charts. The notation alone won't capture Cottler's touch and dynamics; hearing how lightly he plays certain moments and where he reserves his energy makes the charts come alive.
• Pay attention to the rests as much as the notes. Cottler's use of space is what gives these performances their elegance and allows the vocalist to breathe.
• Study how the hi-hat and kick drum interact. These charts show masterful voice leading between limbs, with the kick often playing counterpoint rather than simply keeping time.
• Work slowly through the charts before attempting tempo. The syncopation and sudden rhythm figure changes require preparation; rushing into full speed will obscure the precision Cottler brought to every session.

Assign these charts in your jazz ensemble after students have built foundational swing skills, or use them as supplementary material for drummers working with your vocal jazz singers. For smaller programs, a single drummer working through these tunes during rehearsals brings authentic style and vocabulary into the ensemble's sound.

• Accompanying singers with dynamic nuance and restraint
• Reading and executing authentic swing ride cymbal patterns
• Coordinating kick drum counterpoint with snare and cymbal voices
• Interpreting studio notation and translating it to live performance
• Understanding how drums support rather than dominate in ensemble settings