httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLBsq0qrk2c
In today’s video, I finish up the practice pad reviews. This video covers practice pads that have a drumhead. Practice pads are great for warming up, quiet practicing and when you are learning a new piece, but remember, nothing replaces the feel of a drum. (Full Disclosure: I endorse bdl Percussion Pads and Remo Practice Pads).
Level: Beginning
For more percussion videos, visit: www.percussioneducation.com
Time Management 101
By Dr. Carolyn Bremer
August 2014
Opening speeches (notes) are meant to instill inspiration for the coming year but I can say quite honestly that inspiration is encountered every day at BCCM. Instead, this is about how to accomplish what you need to do, maintain your sanity, and reach your potential. (more…)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr_5w3YbeXw
On April 27, 2014, I hosted “Massive Band 2014” at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSULB with guest artist Andy Narell. Massive Band featured over 100 steel pan performers on one stage, including:
CSULB STEEL DRUM ORCHESTRA (Dave Gerhart – director)
CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL PANJAMMAS (Drew Holt-director)
CAMPBELL HALL SOLDIERS OF STEEL (HIGH SCHOOL) & STEEL PANDAS (JUNIOR HIGH) (Jason Bruns-director)
GRANADA MIDDLE SCHOOL PAN SQUAD (Jennifer Stampfl – director)
LAKEWOOD STEEL (Amanda Duncan – director)
RUSTY STEEL BAND (Andy Cobbs – director)
WESTMINSTER HIGH SCHOOL STEEL BAND (John Whatley – director).
Click here to check out all of the videos from the concert.
It was an honor to direct this group and share the stage with Andy Narell (not to mention him soloing on a tune I wrote!).
There are always a lot of great articles on the internet (and sometimes some not so great ones). I use a RSS reader to collect a variety of sources so that I don’t miss what I like to read. On my smart phone, I use an app called Newsify to gather my articles to read. I use the app to skim articles from various sources. (I have created a list of sources below in case you want to check them out). If there is an article that I want to read in the future, I send the article to Instapaper to save it for future reading. Instapaper is also an app that can be used on my phone or tablet. I try and set aside 15-20 minutes a day to read the saved articles, but if I don’t get to them, there are always saved in Instapaper.
My goal in sharing this information is to create a weekly post that will have some links of curated articles that I have found inspiring or invigorating. It is also my hopes that you will share your top articles with me. Here are this week’s list of some articles to check out this week:
Time Management 101 by Dr. Carolyn Bremer
Stop Trying to Please Everyone or Chase Impossible Goals by Mark Wilson
The 15 Best and Worst Words to Use on Resumes According to Recruiters by Mihir Patkar
Cranky, Tired, and Not in the Mood to Practice? by Dr. Noa Kageyama
Here is a list of my RSS sources (in no particular order). I have the articles separated into folders. What are you reading? Is there something you can recommend? Leave a comment below and let me know.
MUSIC
Alex Ross: The Rest is Noise
DrumChattr
State of Our Art
I Care if You Listen
Percussion Axiom TV
Sequenze21
Technology in Music Education
The Bulletproof Musician
The Musician’s Way Blog
The Rambler
SETH’S BLOG
Seth Godin’s Blog
Goal Setting Guide
MARKETING
Fast Company
Marketing Land
SPORTS
Laker Nation
Dodger Nation
TECH
Lifehacker
Lifehack
Search Engine Land
WEB
BuzzMachine (Jeff Jarvis)
Know the Network
Scribbling.net
Smarterware
There are so many practice pads available for the percussion student! Why? No one knows… I guess you could ask that about any musical accessory. Think how many reeds, mouthpieces, drumsticks, drumheads (etc…) that are available. There is something for everyone. But, how does a student percussionist or percussion methods student know which pad to purchase? Not to worry, I can help. I have split this topic into two videos. Today’s video covers rubber practice pads.
In this episode, I talk about the bdl Percussion Pad, The Real Feel Pad and the Destiny Pro Pad. Please support these companies and check out their pads. (Full Disclosure: I endorse bdl Percussion Pads and Remo Practice Pads).
The Concord Blue Devils won their 16th DCI World Championship on Saturday night in Indianapolis. The Blue Devils scored a 99.65 (the highest score ever in DCI) in their final performance. The Bluecoats (97.175) won 2nd place and The Cadets (96.875) placed 3rd. The Blue Devils had an amazing year, winning every competition leading up to finals. The Santa Clara Vanguard placed first in percussion for their final performance.
For complete results and recap analysis, check out DCI.org. Congratulations to The Blue Devils.
Were you there or did you watch it live? What were your favorite moments of the season? Leave a comment and let us know what you thought of the 2014 DCI season.
Here’s the Blue Devils show from Salem, VA on 07/29/2014.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE_n1p0NLXk
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE_n1p0NLXk
The 2014 DCI Champions will crowned tonight and the Blue Devils are poised to win their 16th Championship. The Blue Devils have won the most DCI Championships (15) with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in second place with 10. Good luck to all of the performers and congrats on all of your hard work!
In the previous videos, I have been talking about the bounced stroke and in today’s episode, I introduce the double stroke roll. When executing bounced strokes, make sure you are letting the stick do all of the work. If you have a good fulcrum, a relaxed grip and you allow the stick to bounce, over time you will develop a good sounding roll. Be patient and work hard. Remember, in this episode you need to make sure you use “one arm stroke and two bounces.” Please feel free to leave comments and/or questions below.
Level: Beginning/Intermediate
Attention all auditioning orchestral percussionists: audition for Japan’s “New World” Symphony; the Hyogo PAC Orchestra. I recently returned from a healthy week long visit to HPAC for the PAC Percussion! series of concerts on August 2nd and 3rd. Every year in August the orchestra organizes two concerts (the same) featuring the PAC percussion section with a guest artist. For more information about this years concerts click here.
As it turns out there is an inspirational story around the orchestras inception. According to HPAC’s site: “During the decade following the great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995, the courage, persistence, and compassion of Hyogo’s local residents brought about a miraculous renewal of the devastated region.” In 2005 the orchestra opened as a symbol of cultural rebirth of the region. Since then it has seen it’s 4 millionth audience.
HPAC orchestra is a resident orchestra exclusively affiliated with Hyogo Performing Arts Center under artistic direction of Yutaka Sado. During a three-year term, 48 international core members under the age of 35 engage in a variety of performance opportunities
including full orchestra and chamber orchestra concerts, a fully-staged opera, and chamber ensemble performances of standard and modern repertoire. They are joined in these performances by leading conductors, guest players and coaches from around the world. The HPAC program offers professional development for Core Members through master-classes and private lessons with visiting artists.
The facilities are immensely impressive and the center, being fully government funded, spares no expense when it comes to putting on productions and concerts. I had a first class experience. So, I share this post as an advocate for the center as it seems a bit unknown. Be sure to explore the source link above for more information.
Where you aware of this opportunity? Have any others that fit into this category? Please share your thoughts below the post.
A couple of months ago, I introduced a new Snare Drum Roll Exercise. I hope this has helped develop your roll technique.
In the past couple of episodes of my videos, I have begun to talk about the bounced stroke. For most students, this is the most difficult rudiment on the snare drum. If you don’t believe me, go to a high school band concert. I find most students push too hard and don’t allow the stick to do most of the work.
In this exercise sheet, I have created an additive process exercise that starts with one bounce on a note and adds one bounced stroke per line. In the first measure, the foundation is introduced followed by the bounced stroke in the second measure. One of the goals was to make sure to that both hands were working on the bounced strokes.
Check it out for a couple of days and let me know what you think. Any feedback and/or comments are appreciated.
Skype Lessons with Dr. Gerhart