Steven Schick has always been an inspiration to me. He is an amazing percussionist, conductor and educator. When I was an undergrad, I will never forget a one week residency at the LA County Museum where he played three solo recitals, each with a different program, from memory! (more…)
We have all heard about the connections between music and mathematics, but did you ever think it would improve your sound on the snare drum? In this video, I talk about playing zones on the drumhead and angle on your drum sticks in relationship to the drum. Remember to think about the sound you are creating on every instrument you play. If you pay attention to your zones as well as your angles, you will dramatically improve your sound.
Today’s video features a piece for Boomwhacker Quintet. Composed in 2008 by Spencer Dorn, “Cylindrophonicities” for Boomwhackers was premiered by the CSULB Percussion Ensemble. (more…)
I am having a blast posting on this site. The response has been great and I appreciate all of your continued support. One of the goals I wanted to achieve was to share videos of great performances and this video is the perfect example. This video features Robert Chappell’s Open Window for tenor pan (performed by Liam Teague) and marimba (performed by Robert Chappell). This piece was awarded 1st place in the 2006 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest. Originally for tenor pan and marimba, this performance also features bass and percussion/cajon. [Unfortunately, I don’t know the name of the performers or I would add it]. It is a shame that this piece has only been viewed 1043 times since it was posted in 2009. Let’s do our part and share this piece and performance.
You can purchase the sheet music at Steve Weiss Music. Liam and Robert also have a CD featuring nine compositions for steelpan in solo, jazz, world, chamber, and steel band settings. It can also be purchased at Steve Weiss Music.
I often wish I could play castanets without mounting them on handles or in a castanet machine. If anyone else has thought the same, you have to watch today’s video featuring Lucero Tena (Castanets) on the Intermezzo from: Las Bodas de Luis Alonzo by Gerónimo Jimenez.
After watching this video, I think I will stick to my Black Swamp mounted castanets. (more…)
As a young percussionist, we all learn the rudiments. For us, the rudiments are our scales and it is how we learn about technique on a single surface (aka a snare drum). In the concert snare drum repertoire, the 4 stroke ruff doesn’t usually occur until somewhere in the Advanced Snare Drum Studies book by Mitchell Peters, Delécluse’s 12 Etudes or later in Anthony Cirone’s Portrait in Rhythm. It also shows up in the orchestral excerpts (Lieutenant Kijé). Because it is not officially part of the 40 Standard American Rudiments, it is not something we practice at a young age. (more…)
Skype Lessons with Dr. Gerhart