Today’s video features a new cajon trio by percussionist and composer Andrew Beall. Rancho Jubilee was performed at the 2010 PAS NYC “Weekend of Percussion” on February 20th, 2010. The performers are Javier Diaz, Andrew Beall, Wilson Torres (left to right). Check out Andrew Beall for more information about his other compositions and performances.
Do you play cajon? What other percussion trios would you recommend? Leave a comment.
Originally posted on DrumChattr on September 28, 2010 by Dave Gerhart.
Today we sit down with Third Coast Percussion minutes after their showcase concert at the 2nd annual Round Top Percussion Festival, in Round Top, Texas. We thought it would be good to preview DrumChattr podcast episode #6 which will feature an interview with founding member David Skidmore. Look for that post on Monday!
It seems percussion chamber music ensembles are more successful than ever. What factors do you think are allowing the success of groups like So Percussion and Third Coast? Leave your thoughts below.
I spent a number of years studying with Gideon Alorwoyie, a master drummer and high priest of the Ewe tribe from Ghana, Africa. He has taught me a lot over the years and when I had the opportunity to travel to his village in the summer of 2007 I learned more than I ever expected about the Ewe tribe and gained a completely new perspective of music.
Gideon taught me the Ewe approach to percussion as well as the philosophies and views of music that the Ewe members value. Through this, he opened my eyes and taught me how to view rhythm as a true beauty of nature. (more…)
The Ballet Mecanique by George Antheil is considered on of his most famous (or infamous) works. The original score, written in 1924, calls for 16 player pianos playing four separate parts, for four bass drums, three xylophones, a tam-tam, seven electric bells, a siren, and three different-sized airplane propellors (high wood, low wood, and metal), as well as two human-played pianos. It was later revised in 1953 using a very different ensemble of four pianos, four xylophones, two electric bells, two propellors, timpani, glockenspiel, and assorted percussion.
This video features the premiere of an all-robitic version of the piece for 16 player pianos and percussion orchestra. The performance was made possible with robotic instruments from LEMUR: League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots. For more information on Ballet Mecanique, Antheil.org.
Today’s video is courtesy of guest contributor Carlos Johnson.
Have you seen any performances of robotic percussion or have you ever seen a live performance of Ballet Mecanique? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
Originally posted on DrumChattr on September 11, 2010.
This video features a performance Elliott Carter’s new percussion ensemble piece Tintinnabulation (2008), performed by New Jersey Percussion Ensemble (Peter Jarvis, conductor). Elliott Carter wrote this piece at the age of 100!! The Boston Globe says, “Tinnabulation covers an enormous range of sonorities, partly through Carter’s choice of instruments (a Chinese opera gong and five types of nipple gongs are among the mix) but also through his meticulous instructions of where to strike each instrument and what kind of stick to use, be it a mallet, a brush, a birch dowel, or even a knitting needle.”
The performers are (L to R): Payton MacDonald, Gary Van Dyke, Michael Aberback. John Ferrari, Ned Stroh, April McCloskey
What are some of your favorite Elliott Carter solo or ensemble pieces? Post some links in the comments.
Originally posted on DrumChattr on September 5, 2010 by Dave Gerhart.
Today, we are fortunate to have an odd meter conga exercise by Los Angeles percussionist, composer and session player, Brad Dutz. These exercises will give the percussion student an opportunity to continue to work on a balanced sound while playing odd meters. Remember to practice each exercise beginning with both the left and right hands. Practice slowly and continue to work on clear tone production.
