Percussion

Percussion Family

Percussion instruments are playing by striking, scraping, hitting, or shaking an instrument to create sound. Percussion students learn snare drum, orchestra bells, and auxiliary instruments (bass drum, cymbals, triangle, wood block, etc.). The role of drums in the band is to keep the beat and play complex rhythms. The bells are used to compliment the melody, often playing together with the higher instruments in the band like the flute or oboe. Auxiliary instruments add unique sound effects to all types of music. Percussion instruments are struck with sticks, hands, or mallets.

**Important Information for Interested Percussion Students** Before signing up for percussion, it is very important the you know the following information.

A well-balanced band provides the best environment for a successful music experience, even at the beginning level. Since multiple elementary schools feed into each middle school, too many percussionists can create a negative impact at the secondary level. Most often, only a few percussionists can play each piece at one time. This can limit performance opportunities for your child. This is problem unique to percussion instruments and does not occur with any other instrument in the band.

In addition to demonstrating hand-eye coordination and the ability to work as a team member, all percussionists must have a very strong sense of rhythm and be able to keep a steady beat. In order to determine which students are most likely to have a positive experience in the percussion class, ** all interested percussion students will have a brief evaluation at the beginning of the school year **. The evaluation will consist of basic rhythmic performance, beat-keeping, and a brief interview. All prospective percussoin students must select a second-choice instrument in case he or she is more likely to have a positive experience on that instrument. We invite you to contact your director with any questions you may have about the percussion program.

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The marimba is a large keyboard percussion instrument that is sort of a very large version for the orchestra bells. The bars are made of wood and create a very deep sound. This is an instrument that percussionists who spend a lot of time practicing their bell kits can play in middle or high school! This is a piece for solo marimba called Northern Lights. This performer is using four mallets to play, two in each hand!

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This video is a snare drum solo performed by percussionist Trent Shuey. Trent has an excellent sense of rhythm, an important aspect of becoming an advanced percussionist. Listen as he performs complex rhythms in this solo called Evocation #1.


 * All percussion students will meet with their band directors within several days of their school's instrument demo assembly. This meeting will determine whether or not your child is properly suited to play percussion instruments
 * If your child is considering percussion, please make a **__second instrument choice__** in case your child is better suited to an alternate instrument.
 * Percussion students **__must__** be able to demonstrate a steady beat and a strong sense of rhythm.
 * Teamwork and individual effort are essential to becoming a successful percussionist.
 * **__ Percussion kits are too large to be transported on school buses. Parents will need to make arrangements to have the instrument transported to and from school on lesson and rehearsal days. __**

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