Teaching and Learning Percussion

Final Portfolio
Zane Kazmarski and Lillian Newton
Fall 2020

We affirm that we have upheld the highest principles of honesty and integrity in our academic
work and have not witnessed a violation of the Honor Code- Zane Kazmarski, Lillian Newton
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Table of Contents
Concert Snare…………………………………………………………………………....…………...........2

Bass Drum & Cymbals…………………………………………………………………..……………….4

Bass Drum…………………………………………………………………………………4

Cymbals…………………………………………………………………………...……….5

Timpani…………………………………………………………………………………….……………....6

Auxiliary Percussion………………………………………….……………………………....…………...8

Mallet Percussion………………………………………………………………………………....……...10

Supplementary Resources……………………………………………………………………………….11
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Concert Snare

The concert snare is a hollow drum with a fitted drum head on both sides, and wire snares on the bottom
that when turned on or off, change the timbre of the instrument.

The Striking Zone

● In order to achieve a proper, full sound out of the drum, one must know where to strike the head
in order to achieve the best resonance. The center of the drum is the spot that should be avoided,
as it is the drums “dead zone”.
● There are many different spots to play in to achieve varying levels of dynamics.
● Starting from the outer portion of the drum head, if a player is trying to play pianissimo they
should be about 0.5-1 inches away from the rim.
● For piano, about 1-2 inches from the rim will be most effective.
● Mezzo Piano can be achieved about ¼ of the way towards the center, 2-4 inches from the rim.
● Mezzo Forte can be achieved about 4-6 inches away from the rim, ⅓ of the way towards the
center.
● Forte can be achieved 6-8 inches from the rim, or ⅔ - ¾ of the way toward the center.
● Fortissimo can be achieved about 8 inches from the rim.
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The Grip
● With the palms of the hands facing the ground, grab the drumsticks.
● Gently wrap the fingers around the sticks, making sure that they are about ⅓ of the way up from
the bottom of the stick.
● There should be a slight gap between the thumb and pointer finger, they should not be touching.

The Stroke
● Full Stroke
○ With sticks in hand using proper grip technique, begin to move the wrist up and down
starting with the bead of the stick in the air.
○ Continue doing this, practicing striking the drum and returning to the upwards position.
● Tap Stroke
○ With the bead of the stick just above the drum head, lightly tap the drum and return to the
stick to the same height as before.
○ This is a preparation stroke for the Up Stroke.
● Down Stroke
○ With the bead of the stick in the air, strike the drum with a downward motion.
○ Do not follow through with an upwards motion, stop the bead of the stick just above the
drum head.
○ This is a preparation for the Tap or Up Stroke.
● Up Stroke
○ With the bead of the stick just above the drum head, strike the head with a Tap Stroke and
continue an upwards motion until the bead is facing upward.
○ This stroke can be preparation for the Down Stroke or a Full Stroke.
Instrument Maintenance
● Tuning the Snare
● Tuning is achieved by using a drum key. Rotate the lugs in clockwise motions. Move in a Star
Formation around the drum in order to make sure they are evenly tight.
● Setting up the drum
● Snare drum height should be between the players waist and belly button. The player's comfortable
resting position for their arms is also an appropriate height as well.
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Bass Drum & Cymbals

Bass Drum

The bass drum is a non-pitched membranophone with a wooden shell. The drum head is either calf-skin
or synthetic and is between 28 and 36 inches with winged tension rods for tuning. Bass drums need to be
on a stand to be played. This could be a suspended or non-suspended stand that will have a foot rest
preferably.

How to Play
● Gripping of the mallet is similar to the grip of the snare drum stick.
● Strike the bass drum just above the center of the drum head.
● To muffle the drum head, place a towel or the side of the knee on the drum.
● Rolls on the bass drum are performed with two mallets, one in the center and one towards the top.
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Cymbals

There are many different types of cymbals that will be seen in a concert band setting. One of the more
common ones within younger bands especially are the hand cymbals, often referred to as crash cymbals.
Other cymbals include: crash, suspended, ride, and splash. Cymbals are sized in inches and include
thickness in the sizing. A stand and mallets or sticks may be required depending on the type of cymbals
being played. Cymbals should be stored vertically for easy access.

Hand Cymbals
● How to Play
○ Pick up the cymbals by the straps, making sure to have a firm grip.
○ One cymbal should be held at a slight angle.
○ Crash the non angled cymbal into the angled cymbal, slightly offsetting them.
○ To muffle, gently press the cymbals into the chest.

● When playing marches, it is typical to have the hand cymbals placed between the bass drum and
the snare drum.
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Timpani

Timpani are pitched membranophones. The instruments are made up of a copper bowl on a metal frame
and tension rods for the heads are made for a slightly larger drum key. There are normally four to five
drums in varying sizes which are used based on the range and tuning necessary.

Timpani music is written in bass clef. The ranges of the drums by size are as follows:

32” - D to A

29” - F to C

26” - B♭ to F

23” - D to A (up an octave)

The Grip
● German Grip
○ Face the palms of the hands towards the floor.
○ Grab timpani mallets with the palms still parallel to the ground.
○ Gently wrap the fingers around the sticks, making sure that they are about ⅓ of the way
up from the bottom of the stick.
● French Grip
○ Press both hands together, palms touching and fingers lining up with one another.
○ Place the timpani mallets in hands with the thumbs on top of the stick towards the ceiling.
○ Gently wrap the fingers around the sticks, making sure that they are about ⅓ of the way
up from the bottom of the stick.
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The Stroke
● German Stroke
○ With sticks in hand and palms parallel to the ground, move the wrist up and down with
the ball of the mallet starting in the air.
○ Practice this motion, striking the drum and returning to the upright position.
● French Stroke
○ With sticks in hand and thumbs facing towards the ceiling, rotate the wrist up and down.
○ The ball of the mallet should start in the upright position, and return to the upright
position.

Striking Zone
● There are many different appropriate striking zones for each timpani depending on size and
purpose. However, for beginner players the most resonant spot to play is about 3-6 inches away
from the edge of the drum. The timpani has a “dead zone” much like the snare, which is found in
the center of the drum as well.
● Dynamic contrast can be achieved through varying stick height and force within the 3-6 inch
range.

Tuning
● Before trying to raise the pitch, it is important to lower the pitch as far as possible. Always bring
the pitch upwards.
● Don’t continuously hit or flick the head, raise the pitch and tap once with your ear brought down
to the drum head.
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Auxiliary Percussion

Auxiliary instruments are generally instruments that are supplementary and add help or support.
Auxiliary percussion includes but is not limited to triangle, tambourine, claves, cowbell, guiro,
maracas, sleigh bells, temple blocks, wood blocks, wind chimes, and tom toms. These instruments
are played in a variety of ways.

Triangle
Triangle is a non-pitched idiophone that is played with a metal beater. The sound is very metallic and high
pitched with too many overtones to hear a defined pitch.

Tambourine
Tambourine is a non-pitched percussion instrument, however it is both a membranophone and an
idiophone due to the goat skin head and the jingle cymbals. The tambourine can be stricken, shaken, or a
percussionist could perform a roll using their finger and some beeswax on the head.
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Claves
Claves are a non-pitched idiophone that are played with one cupped in the hand and the other tapping on
the stationary clave. There are a variety of different common clave rhythms.

Tom Toms
Tom toms are very similar to snare and played similarly as well. They are commonly found in pairs or
groups with a range of pitches based on size.
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Mallet Percussion

Mallet percussion often refers to marimba and xylophone. These are pitched idiophones played with - you
guessed it - mallets. There are many options for the type of mallet used, which is often chosen based upon
the desired timbre and the instrument being played on.

The Grip
● Two Mallet
○ Face the palms of the hands toward the floor.
○ Grab mallets with the palms still parallel to the ground.
○ Gently wrap the fingers around the mallets, roughly 2-4 inches from the bottom.

The Stroke
● Hold mallets in hands with the palms parallel to the ground.
● Begin moving the wrist up and down, starting with the ball of the mallet in the air.
● Practice this motion, striking a bar and returning the ball to the upwards position.

Striking Zone
● For mallet percussion, the most typical striking zone is near the center of the bars. Unlike snare
drum or timpani, the “dead zone” of the mallet instruments is towards either side of the bars, not
the center.

Instrument Maintenance
● Always make sure to have appropriate fitting covers for your mallet instruments, and keep them
covered when they are not in use.
● Make sure students are using proper mallets. Yarn mallets for the marimba. Never allow students
to use anything other than an actual mallet on the instruments.
● Make sure the percussionists know the proper way to raise and lower the mallet instruments. Be
familiar with how they are assembled.
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Supplementary Resources

http://www.pas.org/

http://vicfirth.com/education-resource-library/

http://www.innovativepercussion.com/educational-resources

https://www.steveweissmusic.com/category/education-buying-guide

YouTube for videos - must be checked for valid information

Email Professor Fadoul at pfadoul1@gettysburg.edu

Lillian Newton Observations and Budget -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VAeG9TJQX-rfkjrLU-Ib2N08WTqgL-7O/view?usp=sharing

Zane Kazmarski Observations and Budget -

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15O_DmkJCd2cbddRIwP2E7ivMTpX8mpLZ