from the podium to the player: two perspectives on symphonic percussion presented by mr. jon bowman...
TRANSCRIPT
From the Podium to the Player: Two Perspectives on Symphonic PercussionPresented by Mr. Jon Bowman and Dr. Jeff Grantat the 2015 AMEA Conference
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Purpose of Session
-Translating expectations from the director to the
percussion section (a work in progress)
-Improving knowledge on percussion pedagogy
Choosing Percussionists
Percussionists as musicians!
Background of students (discipline/challenges?)
Simple rhythm and timing evaluations
Not just the ‘leftovers’
Expectations of Percussionists
10 Ways to better manage and direct your percussionists
Use the rehearsal time you already have
10 Strategies to Better Manage Your Percussionists
1) Understand Percussion Notation!
2) Understand that percussionists play multiple instruments every day.
3) Help with repetition and rests
4) Expect percussionists to take pride in their instruments
5) Help them plan and manage time and space
6) Address problems with unusual stickings
7) Be able to explain extended techniques
8) Get the sound you want
9) Get their heads out of the sheet music
10) Keep them engaged
Rehearsal
Heterogeneous Rehearsal SettingThey do EVERYTHING the winds do
Percussionists singing!
Timpani tuning
Separate Percussion ClassTechnique
Scales and rudiments, scales and rudiments, scales and rudiments, scales and rudiments, scales and rudiments, scales and rudiments, scales and rudiments, scales and rudiments, scales and rudiments...
Music Examples and Basic Percussion
TechniquesPodium: What you want
Player: How to achieve it
Scenes from the Louvre I. The Portals
by Norman Dello JoioPodium: What you want
Timpani
Round, full and characteristic timpani sound
Support of extensive low brass phrasing
Imitative of connected low brass phrases
Scenes from the Louvreby Norman Dello JoioPlayer: How to achieve it
TimpaniGrip Playing Position
Beating Spots
Tuning
Mallet Selection
Phrasing
Grip
Be Thou My Vision by Larry Clark
Podium: What you want
Triangle
Triangle not affecting sonority of piccolo solo at m. 10
Grade 3 ½ piece with a grade 6 cymbal part
Articulation (esp. ms. 68)
Be Thou My Vision by Larry Clark
Player: How to achieve it
TriangleInstrument selection
Beater angle (the more overtones the better)
Crash CymbalsTechnique
Articulation
Cymbal Selection
Puztaby Jan van der RoostPodium: What you want
Tambourine
Tambourine imitating and coloring trombone part
Articulation and ‘errant jingle’ considerations
Tambourine: picking up and putting down
Puztaby Jan van der Roost
Player: How to achieve it
TambourineTechnique
Shake roll vs. thumb roll
Sound production
Instrument selection
Percussion Notation
Slashes….open or closed!?
Articulation [Timpani, Cymbals, Concert Bass Drum, etc.]
Part Assignments
What NOT to give the weaker performers
Play to strengths/give students an opportunity to be successful and grow as musicians
The idea of the “total percussionist”
Part Assignment Example
Part Assignment example
Wind Symphony
“One Life Beautiful”
“Esprit de Corps”
“El Camino Real”
Chair 1 Snare & Tamb
Timpani
Chair 2 Vibraphone Vibraphone
Chair 3 Crash Cym Timpani Bass Drum
Chair 4 Xylophone Xylophone
Chair 5 Timpani Castanets
Chair 6 Bass Drum CC, SC, Tri
Chair 7 Crotales Bells Marimba
Chair 8 Chimes Crash Cym Tambourine
Chair 9 Bells Chimes Bells
Chair 10 Bass Drum Snare Drum
Chair 11 Sus Cym Tam Tam WB, Maracas
Chair 12 Piano
Equipment
PRIORITIZE!
Organize and Maintain
Sticks and Mallets
Cymbals
Drums and Timpani
Mallet Instruments
Auxiliary Instruments
Mallet Hardness
Yarn = Vibraphone, Marimba, Suspended Cymbal
Rubber = Vibes, Marimba, Xylophone, Woodblock
Plastic = Xylophone, Orchestra Bells, Crotales
Aluminum/Brass = Orchestra Bells, Crotales
Podium Resources
Guide to Score Study for the Wind Band Conductor by Frank Battisti and Robert Garofalo
www.larryclarkmusic.com [minute clinics] – Website for Carl Fischer Editor in Chief Larry Clark
Recordings, recordings, recordings!
Player Resources
www.jeffersongrant.com
www.lowndespercussion.com
www.pas.org - (Percussive Arts Society)
Percussive Notes print publication
www.innovativepercussion.com
University Instructors/Clinicians (Local or skype)
Questions/Comments
DOOR PRIZES!
THANK YOU!