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.
This is part 2 of 6 PATV episodes relating to sound and tone production originally posted in July 2008. For more PATV episodes related to this post visit his PATV site at: Percussion Axiom TV
Note: The playing demonstrations in this post were performed on a resonator-less marimba.
Building on Chris Wilson’s August 26th post: “Good Technique is Good” in this episode we dig deeper into sound production through basic stroke technique for four mallet marimba. (more…)
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.
Check out Ben’s YouTube Channel for more educational videos. See him perform his multi-percussion work “Blade” here.
In this video Dr. Benjamin Finley discusses key technical issues in Tony Cirone’s “Portraits in Rhythm”, Etude #6. Ben, Director of Percussion Studies at East Central University in Oklahoma, prepared this instructional video for students who plan to audition for Round 1 of the 2010-11 OMEA All-State Auditions.
What are your thoughts about the pedagogical ideas Ben presents? When playing rolls do you use an open 3 stroke roll or more of closed roll? How do you make different kinds of sounds as it relates to articulation? (roof top accents/regular accents/tenuto markings etc…) Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Originally posted on DrumChattr on September 1, 2010 by tom Burritt.
“Connecting Your Head and Your Hands” by Lee Vinson
This article addresses the connection between technical practice and mental visualization in preparing excerpts for an audition.
I approach audition excerpts in two different ways. I first address an excerpt from a purely technical point of view. I try to tackle any technical problems independently from the excerpt by creating simple exercises that apply directly to the issues presented in the music. Secondly, I want to be mentally prepared to perform an excerpt. I do this through a variety of visualization techniques which we will discuss below. (more…)
Today’s video is a preview of a new set of marimba etudes by Peter Klatzow. According to Katie Rife: “Etudes for Marimba Books One and Two were commissioned by a consortium of 10 percussionists from around the world. They were completed in June 2010 and will be published in 2011. A premiere performance has not yet been scheduled.”
This is a special preview of the Book One, recorded August 4 2010:
I. Aerobat, II. Play of Triads, III. Melodic Mirage
Thanks to Carlos Johnson for recommending this video.
Originally posted on DrumChattr on August 29, 2010 by Dave Gerhart.
I have been working diligently this summer on improving myself as a marimbist. As I’ve mentioned before, there are some things that I feel are very poor about my playing, mostly technical. I have figured out where I made my mistake, how to fix it now, and what this means for any of you as readers. I will be asking for some feedback throughout this blog. (more…)
Today we talk about a “guiding principle” (and go Yoda on you..) that can help you make the right decisions when it comes to general interpretation in musical performance. Name the famous xylo excerpt in the background… and as always please leave comments!
Originally posted on DrumChattr on August 24, 2010 by Tom Burritt.
Percussionist, Jaime Oliver (not to be confused with the British Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver) earned First Prize in Electronic Sonority from File Prix Lux for his Silent Percussion Project. The “Silent Percussion Project” (SPP) consists in building a set of computer musical instruments that use human gestures to control sounds, composing and performing with them in an attempt to re-incorporate the body in music performance practice. Check out the File Prix Lux website for more information.
Originally posted on DrumChattr on August 22, 2010 by Dave Gerhart.
The Concord Blue Devils A Corp won their 14th DCI Championship on Saturday night in Indianapolis. The Blue Devils scored a 98.90 in their final performance. The Cavaliers (97.750) won 2nd place and the Bluecoats (96.400) placed 3rd. Phantom Regiment received high honors in percussion followed by The Cavaliers and Bluecoats.
The Concord Blue Devils B Corp won the 2010 DCI Open Class Championships with a score of 97.55. They also received high honors in Percussion. Second place honors go to the Oregon Crusaders (94.00) and third place goes to the Spartans (93.60). For more information, check out Drum Corps International. Congrats to all of the corps for another great summer of music.
Originally posted on DrumChattr on August 15, 2010 by Dave Gerhart.
