Percussion Tip Sheet

Percussion Tip Sheet Welcome to the wonderful world of percussion playing! Below are some tips to help you on your musical journey.

Tip 1: How to assemble your instruments

In class, we will be learning many different percussion instruments, including: snare drum, bass drum, orchestral bells, crash cymbals, maracas, tambourine, and claves. The two instruments that your student will take back and forth to school with them are the drum pad (to simulate a snare drum) and the orchestral bells.

To assemble these instruments: 1. Put together the stand. The stand is the metal part that the instrument sits on. Make sure to expand the stand so that the instrument will sit right at hip height. 2. Put on your bells or drum pad. Each set is different. Some with screw on the top of the stands while others “hook” in. Some orchestral bell sets sit on top of the stand without any adjustments.

Tip 2: Practicing on the drum pad: stick technique

Hold the drum sticks firmly between you first finger and thumb. Lightly wrap the other fingers around the stick. This will allow you to bounce your sticks off the drum.

Practice the following strokes using a steady beat, making sure each stroke is even. 1. Single Stroke: Alternate your hands, hitting the drum once per hand. 2. Double Stroke: Alternate your hands, hitting the drum twice per hand. 3. Flam: Use both hands to hit the drum at the same time, one slightly in front of the other. This will create two quick noises, one after the other. Be sure to alternate which hand hits the drum first. 4. Roll Stroke: Alternate your hands, letting the stick bounce for each stroke.

After practicing these strokes with a steady beat, try playing them by speeding up steadily and slowing down steadily. Be careful to always make sure the strokes on both hands are even. ***Remember to strike the middle of the drum pad, allowing your stick to go straight down and straight up. No swiping!

Tip 3: Practicing the orchestral bells

We will also be learning songs on orchestral bells. Orchestra bell music uses the treble clef staff. Here are some tips to make the songs easier to play and come out fluently.

1. Strike the middle of the bar for the clearest sound. 2. Alternate your hands. Work out your sticking in advance, and if helpful, write them in your music to practice. 3. Practice slowly. Make sure you are playing both the notes and rhythms. 4. Practice scales. We will be playing songs mostly in C and Bb major. Practice those scales to make the songs easier to learn.

Tip 4: Practicing with recorded music.

As we learn longer, more complex songs, it is often helpful to play along with the recorded music found on the book’s CD. Learn how the melody of the song goes. If you have this in your head when playing your percussion part, you will make sure to keep a steady beat and understand how your part adds to the group. Tip 5: Practice, practice, practice…

Practice! The more work you put into your instrument, the more you get out of it!