Browsing
Percussion
malletKAT 8.5 – An Essential Tool for Any Music Program
malletKAT 8.5 - An Essential Tool for Any Music Program
What the malletKAT offers the band room is a great-sounding, portable option to traditional instruments in the percussion family. It comes standard with 127 different user kits that…
Read More...
Read More...
Quick Tips for Teaching Hand Held Percussion
Quick Tips for Teaching Hand-held Percussion
Check out the new AMELA course by Percussionist Mark Shelton, "Quick Tips for Teaching Hand Held Percussion" Upon competition this course offers a certificate for Professional Development. See…
Read More...
Read More...
Add These 3 Exercises to Your Percussion Practice Sessions
For more articles and resources, visit the Yamaha Educator Suite
As a percussionist, there are three things that we should always work on - reading, rolls and ear/listening. I know it is naive to…
Read More...
Read More...
Two basic striking methods for headed tambourine
For more information on Percussionist Mark Shelton please visit: www.marksheltonmusic.com
Read More...
Read More...
Grip, Stroke, and Sound Production
Just like the basics of basketball are dribbling, the chest pass, and free throws, the basics of performance on a keyboard percussion instrument are the grip, the stroke, and proper sound production. Without these basics, every other aspect…
Read More...
Read More...
Basic Mallet Percussion Instrumentation for the Middle High School Concert Percussion Section
Basic Mallet Percussion Instrumentation for the Middle High School Concert Percussion Section
©2001 Majestic Percussion. Reprinted with permission.
David Steinquest
Both diversity and virtuosity are rarely achieved at the level…
Read More...
Read More...
Teaching Mallet Percussion with the Yamaha YX-230 Tabletop Xylophone
In the realm of percussion, the goal for every music educator is to create a percussionist who is a musician. As teachers, we dream of a highly disciplined group of students in the back of the band hall who are every bit as accomplished as…
Read More...
Read More...
Building A Better Percussion Section
Building A Better Percussion Section
© 2001 Majestic Percussion Reprinted with Permission
Dr. Stephen Crawford
Whether it is the orchestra, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble, opera/musical theatre orchestra, dance…
Read More...
Read More...
Changing A Timpani Head
With the old head still in place, mark the counterhoop and a corresponding spot on the bowl. Adjust the fine tuner so that it is midrange. Pedal the pitch of the head down to its lowest point.
Read More...
Read More...
Consistency with Crash Cymbals
Teaching cymbal technique is often a neglected topic in the course of study for many young percussionists. Due to time limitations and an overwhelming amount of information that is necessary to learn on snare drum, keyboards, and timpani,…
Read More...
Read More...
The Perfect Crash
How do you play a basic crash? First, I think it’s important to have a pre-conceived idea about what sound should be produced when the cymbals are brought together.
Read More...
Read More...
Don’t Forget the Auxiliary ! – Part 4
This is the last part in a four part series examining the importance of proper auxiliary percussion in large ensemble performance. The instruments suggested are a basic inventory recommended for all band programs. Within the world of…
Read More...
Read More...
Don’t Forget the Auxiliary! – Part 3
This is Part 3 in a four part series examining the importance of proper auxiliary percussion in large ensemble performance. The instruments suggested are a basic inventory recommended for all band programs. Within the world of percussion…
Read More...
Read More...
Don’t Forget the Auxiliary! – Part 2
In this part of this series, we will take a look at another set of basic auxiliary instruments, that band director should have for their ensemble. The instruments we will look at now are: Wood Block, Temple Blocks, Vibra-Slap, Claves, and…
Read More...
Read More...
Tips on Selecting an Indoor Show for your Winter Drum Line
#1: Tips on Selecting an Indoor Show for your Winter Drum Line
This is the time of year when band directors find themselves with the daunting task of selecting an Indoor Show for their Winter Drum Line. Unfortunately those of us who play…
Read More...
Read More...
Percussion Performance: Where the rubber meets the road!
The old adage, “where the rubber meets the road,” refers to the tires on an automobile as they spin on the road. In other words, that is where it all happens. That is what counts. That is when the automobile proves its worth.
Read More...
Read More...
Drum Tuning
Drum Tuning
It's always a good idea to get the head seated before actually tuning the drum up. By seating the head you are actually breaking the glue away from the hoop, allowing the head to be stretched.
The easiest way to get the…
Read More...
Read More...
Avoid Air Pocket Crashes with Cymbals
Avoid Air Pocket Crashes with Cymabls
Easy tip to avoid catching an air pocket when playing crashes!
Eddie Capps
Whether you are in an orchestral or marching setting, you are at risk of what we call “catching air” when you crash your…
Read More...
Read More...
Don’t Forget the Auxiliary! (Percussion, that is!) – Part 1
In the frantic race to prepare for upcoming festivals and contests, band directors have many issues on their mind. From scheduling extra rehearsals to working on specific passages in a particular piece of music, many items are placed on the…
Read More...
Read More...
Equipped for Success
More than just people keeping time, the drum players in your school band can be called upon to play a variety of instruments, including timpani, xylophone, marimba, vibes and bells, as well as the occasional tambourine, triangle, wood block…
Read More...
Read More...
2009 ASBDA Concert Bass Drum Session
Jim Sewrey is in his 30th year as a percussionist with the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band (WASB), and as the chairman of the scholarship committee for the Woody Herman-Sister Fabian Scholarship Fun - the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
Read More...
Read More...
Traditional 4 mallet GripWeekly Lesson
Gottry Percussion
Read More...
Read More...
Timpani Tuning
Change timpani heads when the tone starts to sound dry or dead or the pitch becomes "false" meaning it is impossible to fine-tune the head and obtain a clear pitch. Please refer to the Evans Timpani Head Sizing Chart to determine which head…
Read More...
Read More...
Timpani Tones and Tuning
The problems that a timpanist must solve or overcome are many, and I'm not covering problems or issues of sticking and mallet type changes such as wood, hard, medium, or soft to achieve the appropriate sound for the music. Determining which…
Read More...
Read More...
Timpani Technique
The first and most important step in tuning timpani is knowing the pitch to which you are tuning the drum. Though this seems obvious, many beginning timpanists neglect the time necessary to establish the pitch in their head before striking…
Read More...
Read More...
Ten Mechanical Considerations Guaranteed to Improve Drum Set Performance
On a hard wood or linoleum floor, the hi hat and bass drum will slide away from the player if something is not done to hold them in place. The simplest solution is to set up the drums on a rug. The rug should be relatively thin so the…
Read More...
Read More...
Teaching Correct Snare Drum Grip
There is nothing more important for the beginning percussionist than to establish the correct snare drum grip. Just like the wind player with an improper embouchure, the percussionist with an improper grip will continually be hampered in…
Read More...
Read More...
Percussion Performance
A technique can be broken down into many areas: single strokes, open and closed rolls, rudiments such as flams, drags, 4-stroke ruffs, etc. They all must be executed with precision if a percussionist is to be an effective performer.
Read More...
Read More...
New Frontiers in Drumset Independence
This is a basic skill for all drummers who play casuals and club-dates. With the wide variety of foodstuffs available in buffets served at wedding receptions and bar-mitzvah, the drummers ability to consume different types of food while…
Read More...
Read More...
Percussion How To: Pillow Practice, Traditional Grip, Matched Grip, Flam Positioning
Marching season and “beginner band” season is on the horizon, check out these short videos
Read More...
Read More...
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Sticks and Mallets
In today's band program, percussionists are asked to play a wide variety of instruments ranging from Agogo Bells to Xylophones. Just as you would not have just one screwdriver in your toolbox, you wouldn't have 1 pair of mallets for every…
Read More...
Read More...
10 Ways to Better Manage and Direct Your Percussionists
Generally speaking, percussion music is very straightforward and has clear guidelines for who plays what and when. However, many times there are confusing instructions in the parts. This is especially prominent in parts that have multiple…
Read More...
Read More...
Pro-Mark Introduces Two New Marching Models
Pro-Mark Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer dedicated exclusively to the design, production, and distribution of drumsticks, mallets, and percussion accessories announces the addition of two new marching snare drumstick models.
Read More...
Read More...
Top 13 Timpani Questions for High School Band and Orchestra Conductors
The concept of timpani sound is complex and every conductor with whom I have played has some idea of what sound he wants the timpanist to project. Whole schools of thought have been built around producing a particular sound. The "Cloyd Duff…
Read More...
Read More...
How to Tune Your Drumset
Regardless of the type of drum, it is best to use the cross-lug tuning sequence (fig. 4) when tuning from scratch as it creates balanced tension. Study each of the tuning sequence diagrams illustrated below. Count the number of lugs on your…
Read More...
Read More...
Triangle Technique
The thumb and first finger of the hand should form the shape of the letter "C." The clip should then drop into the "C" so that it rests on top.
Read More...
Read More...
Suspended Cymbals – A Lot to Think About
Most people choose an eighteen-inch medium cymbal as their general purpose suspended. Make sure that the cymbal responses at all dynamic ranges, especially the outer extreme levels: ppp / fff Make sure it doesn't break up or distort at the…
Read More...
Read More...
Sabian Makes Choosing the Right Cymbals Easy!
MEDUCTIC, Canada (August 17, 2007) - SABIAN has launched its innovative new Sound Calculator.TM This revolutionary web-based program at www.sabian.com helps musicians choose the Band & Orchestral cymbals that best fit their needs.
Read More...
Read More...
Cymbal Technique
A standard pair of cymbals is usually 18 inches in size and has a quick response to vibrations. These are generally used when a cymbal part has a combination of loud and soft strokes and rhythmic passages.
Read More...
Read More...
Cymbal Protection: Make Them Last
A cymbal can crack if you don't play it correctly. By choosing the 'right' cymbal weight, size, and positioning, you immediately reduce the possibility of cracking.
Here are 6 tips to remember and follow:
Read More...
Read More...
Keeping Your Cymbals Clean
Keeping your cymbals clean doesn't have to be a chore. Proper handling of your cymbals and occasional cleaning will keep them clean. For the best and safest cleaning, 'The SABIAN Cymbal Cleaner' (a new, one-for-all formula introduced in…
Read More...
Read More...
What Should a Percussion Student Own
Unlike most other instrumentalists, percussion students typically do not, and could not, own many of the instruments they play. Instead, the school or ensemble traditionally purchases many of the percussion instruments and students are…
Read More...
Read More...
The Shaker
Percussionist / Artist / Educator Mark Shelton demonstrates various instruments and techniques.
Read More...
Read More...
Suggestions For Improving Your School Percussion Section
Ben Miller is Professor of Music at Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, where he serves as Coordinator of Percussion Studies, Conductor of the Symphonic-Community Band and is a member of the M.U. Jazz Faculty.
Read More...
Read More...
Rhythm Reading For Drums
This method provides a highly organized, systematic approach to reading and understanding rhythm for the beginning drummer/percussionist. Basic rhythm patterns including counting system and foot taping indications are introduced on each…
Read More...
Read More...
Four Ideas to Connect More Effectively with Your Percussion Section
First of all, they are in the back of the room, the easiest place to hide. Second, there aren't enough parts to go around so many of them have to sit out for an entire tune. While rehearsal is happening on a tune they are not playing on,…
Read More...
Read More...
Structuring a Marching Percussion Warm-up Package
A band director friend of mine once mentioned that he considered buying heavy overcoats for his drumline each year because it seemed they always needed to warm-up. It's true that most drumlines could manage an entire rehearsal just…
Read More...
Read More...
Playing the Bass Drum Musically
To begin, we need to consider what the musical purpose of the bass drum is in an ensemble. The bass drum is the lowest sound in the percussion section. Whether it is played repetitively, such as during a march, or is used to reinforce…
Read More...
Read More...