Percussion Handout #1

Helps prepare for Concert Band test on

B Major Scale

Know: Snare Basics and Mallet Basics-tested with basic stroke exercise (see percussion handout #1), P. 62, exercise #2 (with alternating strokes, not as written), and B Major scale to test mallet technique

 

And for Wind Ensemble test on

B Minor Scale

Know: Snare Basics and Mallet Basics-tested with basic stroke exercise (see percussion handout #1), P. 62, exercise #2 (with alternating strokes, not as written), and B Minor scale to test mallet technique

 

Remember, you can review this information on the web and use the web to help you practice.  Just go to www.iandobson.com and scroll down and click on “on line learning.”  There you will find useful links to videos and sound files to help you with each part of the test.

 

You should know all of the following points

 

Setting Up (review at http://www.vicfirth.com/education/beginner_lessons/INTRODUCTION.html and click on the video for “2. Setting up your new Vic Firth snare drum kit”)

 

Points to remember-

1. Loosen up screws before expanding stand legs and don’t force legs

2. Don’t tighten screws too tight

3. Angle of basket

4. Watch bottom snare head so it doesn’t get punctured by the stand or anything else

5. Tighten basket around snare

6. Snare height (fingers together, thumb in belly button, roll hand down, snare should go at pinky height)

7. Grip post with one hand while loosen nut with other to raise/lower

 

Parts of Drum  (review at http://www.vicfirth.com/education/beginner_lessons/INTRODUCTION.html and click on the video for “3. Learn the parts of the drum & how to tune it”)

 

Batter head, snare head (never play on batter head), snares, tension rods, counter hoop (rims), tension rods, tension casing, snare strainer, internal muffler

 

 

Seven Check Points for Grip and Playing Position

(review at http://www.vicfirth.com/education/beginner_lessons/INTRODUCTION.html and click on number “5. Establish the proper grip and playing position”)

 

  1. balance point (mark with marker)
  2. fulcrum (meaty part of thumb, index finger in 2nd joint, hand closed)
  3. stick position (back end in heal of hand)
  4. other fingers relaxed around stick
  5. hands flat (like balancing glass of water on hands)
  6. tips of sticks (center of practice pad, close to center of drum)
  7. sticks at 90 degree angle

 

Rebound Stroke

(review at http://www.vicfirth.com/education/beginner_lessons/INTRODUCTION.html and click on number “6. Learn the rebound stroke.”)

 

It’s like dribbling a basketball!!  Don’t try to control, just throw the stick down so it rebounds to up position.

 

Practice slow for MUSCLE MEMORY

 

Basic Stroke Exercise

 

RRRR RRRR RRRR etc.  for 5 min

LLLL LLLL LLLL etc. for 5 min

 

Day 1: 60 beats per minute

Day 2: 80 beats per minute

Day 3: 100 beats per minute

Day 4: 120 beats per minute

 

If the band is warming up playing long tones and you don’t know what to do, then play the basic stroke exercise along with them at Mr. Kim’s tempo.

 

Alternate Stroke Rule

 

Your default setting is alternating strokes.  Tested on P. 62, exercise #2 (with alternating strokes, not as written)

 

Mallet Scale Technique

  1. sticks low
  2. stroke same as snare without rebound
  3. left hand in front on bar
  4. alternate sticking