Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on November 3, 2008 at 7:24pm

Ariel,
I really do not believe that there is anything in writing from either FBA or any other Florida professional organization that lays out the standards that you are asking about. (If someone finds one, we'll post it!)
I'm with you, I believe that all of the finest band directors set up their programs to include the "Total Percussionist" rather than just the average drummer. I know in my program that percussionists do not get to touch a drum until they can play all of their required scales. Daily band warm-ups include only mallets and extra percussion classes focus on percussion ensembles whereby the top mallet players get to choose if they would like to move to snare and bass or remain on mallets. If they choose to remain on mallets, I let the group decide who they think would be the best to place on snare and bass for that ensemble. After that, there is a rotation so that every learner plays snare on, at least, one band piece or percussion ensemble... provided their mallets stay in shape. Semester testing includes simple etudes on each of the instruments. Our All-County auditions also cover the instruments so the expectations are district wide and the students can run, but they can't hide. Word gets out, soon enough, that you are better off playing a wind instrument because it's less work. Win Win Win
This might also be a great forum for everyone to share some of their percussion testing, worksheets, methodology etc.. I know that when I do my yearly visits to other programs, I usually look to see how they handle their percussion for any new and fresh ideas. I'm not sure this was terribly helpful, but keep demanding the best from your percussionists. I have a percussion quartet in the video section that includes mallets, might help. It's called trepak.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ariel Maloney on November 3, 2008 at 9:23pm

hmmm....in order to audition for All-State band all percussion students must audition on snare, mallets, and timpani. You would think that there would be a Sunshine State Standard regarding percussion. Ack!! I knew all of this stuff in Virginia!! Thanks for your help anyway!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tom Haller on November 9, 2008 at 11:05pm

Ariel,

Speaking of old band directors - Summer band before seventh grade got me through Haskell Harr 1. Obviously traditional grip in the sixties. Matched grip would be my first choice but traditional helps when a percussionist has to play concert BD with his left hand and crash cymbals with his right. (cymbal mounted upside down on a cymbal stand while playing with a hand held cymbal in the right.) My first band director kept me after school once a week to work on timp. and mallets. A private instructor is always the best option.

Becoming comfortable with their grip on a non pitched instrument such as snare drum is important before they start using a bad hand position while moving up and down bells or moving from one drum to another on timpani. Keeping your hands positioned properly on one spot is hard enough. Saul Goodman covers the grip in better detail than many snare drum methods.

Require your percussionist's to own two additional books beside your snare drum book. Saul Goodman Modern Method for Timpani and Morris Goldenberg's Modern School for Xylo, etc...

Every band director should own them and they are the appointed standard for percussion students. I would suggest that All State requirements be put in the their sights. The books will give you a clear view of where to start and the All State requirements are where they land.

By the way, I read the Sunshine State Standards several years ago and I don't recall them even requiring a band student play an instrument. They're probably good for accountability and you'll need them most to keep you and your principal out of trouble.

Hope this helps.
T out

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on November 9, 2008 at 11:44pm

Sunshine State Standards require a "Characteristic tone on their instrument." Percussion is included in this somehow. They were written in a general fashion, it is up to MSBandDirector.com professionals to set and keep the standards.
Excellent post Mr. Haller.

RW

Tom Haller said:

Ariel,

Speaking of old band directors - Summer band before seventh grade got me through Haskell Harr 1. Obviously traditional grip in the sixties. Matched grip would be my first choice but traditional helps when a percussionist has to play concert BD with his left hand and crash cymbals with his right. (cymbal mounted upside down on a cymbal stand while playing with a hand held cymbal in the right.) My first band director kept me after school once a week to work on timp. and mallets. A private instructor is always the best option.

Becoming comfortable with their grip on a non pitched instrument such as snare drum is important before they start using a bad hand position while moving up and down bells or moving from one drum to another on timpani. Keeping your hands positioned properly on one spot is hard enough. Saul Goodman covers the grip in better detail than many snare drum methods.

Require your percussionist's to own two additional books beside your snare drum book. Saul Goodman Modern Method for Timpani and Morris Goldenberg's Modern School for Xylo, etc...

Every band director should own them and they are the appointed standard for percussion students. I would suggest that All State requirements be put in the their sights. The books will give you a clear view of where to start and the All State requirements are where they land.

By the way, I read the Sunshine State Standards several years ago and I don't recall them even requiring a band student play an instrument. They're probably good for accountability and you'll need them most to keep you and your principal out of trouble.

Hope this helps.
T out

• ▶ Reply