Bloom Suite by Elliot Cole performed by Andrew Bliss. Filmed in the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN on January 24th, 2015. Video and Audio by Evan Chapman.
To purchase the sheet music, click here.
This is by far one of my favorite marimba pieces. It is a beautiful composition and setting of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Allah Mohammad Char Yaar. This video features Benjamin Charles performing Alejandro Viñao’s Khan Variations. This was recorded at Smith Memorial Hall, University of Illinois. I like how Benjamin uses the tools on YouTube to mark the start of the variations and key points in the piece.
There are many recordings of this piece. Another favorite would be by Ian Rosenbaum.
Happy Flag Day. I hope you are having a great start to the summer. How’s the practicing going? Reading any good books? Keep us posted. Leave a comment below. Here’s some articles to check out this week. Enjoy!
Musicians: 5 tips for developing your personal blogging voice by Allison (more…)
Raquy Danziger and Sercan, age ten, shreds on a Raquy 4-peg dumber.
If you like this recording, check out Raquy’s recording on Bandcamp.
It has been a while since I have reviewed a website. [Check out The Bulletproof Musician review from July 2014.] Today, I want to introduce All Things Vibraphone. The site has transcriptions, videos, and performances for vibraphone students. The site describes itself as “A page for vibists with related links to audio and video recordings, articles on improvisational techniques, jazz transcriptions, mallet technique…” (more…)
Thanks for your continued support of PercussionEducation.com. I sent out my first newsletter this week. Please sign up for the newsletter (located in the right column) for news and updates to the blog. I will also be sending out additional material that will not appear on the blog. Here’s some articles and publications I have enjoyed reading this week. Enjoy.
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Ten Things I Wish I Knew Going into my First Ensemble Rehearsal (better known as “Ten Things All My Students Better Know At Their First Ensemble Rehearsal”)
As percussionists, we are required to know how to play a vast array of instruments as well as the techniques that are associated with them. Young percussion students who are studying with a private instructor usually study marimba, snare drum, drum set or timpani. Ensemble playing techniques are usually something that are acquired in high school and unfortunately, the percussion section doesn’t usually get as much attention as it should. Below, I have come up with my “Top 10″ considerations I think all percussionists should know going into their first ensemble rehearsal. My hope is that this list will aid the young percussionist and I value any input and additions anyone has to this list.
1. Bring One (or more) Black Towels
A black towel is a wonderful thing. A black towel can be used:
On a music stand to create a stick tray
On a Bass Drum or Tom to Mute the Drum
To wipe sweaty hands (more…)
On May 6, 2015, NHPR.org (New Hampshire Public Radio) produced a podcast called “Artists Who Kept Their Day Jobs, Jazz Musician Gary Burton, & Comedian Todd Glass.” It begins at 22:00 and it a good insight into Gary Burton and his music. If you haven’t read his autobiography, Learning to Listen: The Jazz Journey of Gary Burton: An Autobiography, it is definitely worth reading this summer.
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The photo in this post is used under the Creative Commons License. Photo by Karin Dalziel
on Flickr.com.
This video features a recording of Vic Firth performing Also sprach Zarathustra with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This recording was made in 1971 and features the Boston Symphony conducted by William Steinberg.
The first time I met Vic Frith was at a PASIC in Anaheim. It was the last day of the convention and I needed to buy some Gary Burton Vibe Mallets. He helped me pick mallets. Just giving me the time to talk mallets will be something I will very forget.
Thanks Vic!
Bill Bachman has amazing technique and has been talking about proper technique for years. In 2009, he wrote a series of articles about technique and rudiments for Modern Drummer. In this video he talks about the different grips (French, American, and German) and talks about common problems with “matched grip that’s not quite matched.’
For more videos by Bill Bachman, check out Drumworkout.com.
Skype Lessons with Dr. Gerhart