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INCLUDED ON THE CD-ROM:
METHOD BOOK
Ultimate Percussion Method - A complete guide to snare drum,
timpani, mallets, theory, drumset, auxiliary instruments, ear training,
multi-percussion, and world percussion. Create immediate improvement in the
technical development, reading abilities, and performance levels of your
percussionists. Each lesson contains the following format: warm-up exercise with
detailed checklist, reading section, creativity section with fill-ins and
multiple choice, listening games, a composition that incorporates all the
concepts addressed in the lesson, and a review section to reinforce the new
ideas presented. (164 pages)
Grade 1-2
SOLO COLLECTIONS
Compositions for Percussion - A valuable collection of
compositions for miscellaneous percussion instruments. There are timpani solos,
snare duets, multi-percussion features, mallet solos and duets, snare solos,
world percussion duets and trios, and drumset charts. This collection contains
over 200 pages of music. samples
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE PIECES
Safari - Take a journey through untamed territory – if you dare!
Safari is a practical piece to put on your upcoming concert program. Most
of the piece deals with quarter notes and eighth notes. There are some sixteenth
note rhythms sprinkled in to prepare players for more difficult repertoire in
the future. The middle section, titled "Clave Groove" is a neat way to
introduce the 3-2 clave rhythm to young percussionists. Each part layers on top
of the basic clave rhythm. This composition affords players the opportunity to
experience a D.S. Al Coda form. Lastly, an exhilarating four-measure accelerando
in the Coda will challenge players and maintain the attention of the
audience.
Grade 1 score
sample
Heartbeat of Cuba - A hip new piece that is sure to give your
students the bug for loving Latin Music. The first half of the chart is based on
a 3-2 clave rhythm while the second half uses the 2-3 clave pattern. Hand
drummers will learn to perform open, slap, heel, and toe strokes. BEWARE – the
positive spirit of a clave groove may put a smile on performers and audience
members alike!
Grade 1 score
sample
The Long and Short of It - A study in articulation. I don’t know how many band directors have asked me about articulation on percussion instruments. This piece begins with long sounds then moves towards short sounds and the ending is a mix of both articulations. Don’t be surprised if your students begin asking YOU about the length of notes in their future repertoire! Get your percussionists thinking about note length right now and you’ll be amazed at the clarity it will bring to your full band’s sound! Grade 1 score sample
Live in Concert - Are you ready to rock the house down? Live
in Concert is a piece that features two different rock grooves. When all
parts play, it sounds exactly like a complete drumset. The tom player has some
key solo licks while the snare drummer gets to play a ton of flams. Everyone
seems to enjoy our ending which features both stick clicks and normal drum
strokes. Live in Concert makes a super opening piece in your concert
program.
Grade 1 score
sample
Cascades and Sunken Treasure - Here is a composition that requires
delicacy, taste, judgment, and the bombastic. Experiment with the calming sounds
of water and the clinking of coins. This piece is a great way to introduce the
concept of roll speed on timpani. There are no pitch restrictions for timpani
anywhere in this piece. Most of the timpani playing consists of rolling
glissandos from one extreme in register to the other. "Sharks!," the
middle section, is quite loud and menacing. The final section, "Treasure is
Found," gives the players an opportunity to create the luxurious sound of a
treasure chest’s abundant riches. Cascades and Sunken Treasure is an
excellent piece to introduce students to Modern / 20th Century
notation.
Grade 2 score sample
Battle of the Samurai - A few years back, I had the
privilege of seeing the Kodo Drummers of Japan perform. Their intensity
for playing rhythms made a huge impression on me. It is this intensity for
rhythmic perfection that I brought to "Battle of the Samurai." The
piece maintains a Presto tempo throughout. Players need to display excellent
tempo control and rhythmic accuracy. There are plenty of opportunities within
the piece for the performers to show-off their control of dynamics and shaping.
The overwhelming intensity of the climax should get a rise out of any
audience!
Grade 2 score
sample
Ultimate Collection of Rudiments and Grooves
"Ultimate Groove
Smorgasbord"
About a year ago I arranged my "Ultimate Groove
Smorgasbord". It serves as a compendium of grooves and styles. The
piece is arranged for three players: drumset, hand drummer, and world
percussion auxiliary player. Several band directors have used it as an
audition piece for their jazz band percussionists. Styles covered:
Son (3-2 and 2-3), Rumba Guaguanco (3-2 and 2-3), Mambo, Conga de Comparsa,
Merengue, Samba, Polka, Cha Cha, Calypso, Soca, Bossa Nova, Swing, Jazz
Waltz, New Orleans Jazz, Rock, Funk, Blues, Rock Ballad, Hip-Hop, Bolero
Ballad, Jazz Ballad, Afro-Cuban 6/8, Mozambique, Baiao, Abakwa, Swing in
4/4, Swing in Double Time, Disco, Bluegrass, Shuffle, 5/7 Rock, 7/8 Rock,
Bossa Nova, Reggae, Songo, and Samba in cut-time.
"Ultimate Rudimental Smorgasbord"
Feeling lost in the quagmire of rudiments? Here's a handy snare
solo containing all the major rudiments and their hybrids. Have your
students play each rudiment separately before playing through the entire
solo. I suggest inserting a copy of the "Ultimate Rudimental
Smorgasbord" into the music folder of each percussionist in your
section. During full band warm-ups, invite each percussionist to play a
rudiment in the solo. Keep a checklist for the section.
GRADE 4
Over 600 pages of percussion music on one CD for only $69!