Questions tagged [percussion]
Musical instruments played by striking with the hand or with a hand-held or pedal-operated stick or beater, by shaking, or by rubbing.
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questions
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1answer
125 views
Play E-Drums with Pedals only?
Let me explain. We are a two-man-group. My mate is doing guitar and vocals and I am doing bass and percussion. Some time ago I build (soldering and then also really assembling) myself a set of 6 drum-...
4
votes
3answers
253 views
Percussion duration notation issue
As I understand it:
For most percussion instruments "notes" don't really have durations in the same sense as other instruments. Percussion instruments are struck, and thus usually sound ...
7
votes
2answers
271 views
tuning of marimba in a jazz band
I started playing the marimba and although it seems a bit unusual I wish to be part of a jazz band with that instrument. Fortunately, before buying my own instrument I found out that marimbas have ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
Is it reasonable to expect a non-percussionist to play a simple triangle part?
If all the percussionists are occupied playing more demanding parts, would it be reasonable to expect someone in a nearby section not playing anything to, e.g., play a clear sustained triangle hit on ...
7
votes
2answers
814 views
Why do temple blocks come in sets of 5?
It seems like temple blocks are commonly sold, bought, and played in sets of five as pictured here:
Image Source
My old high school had a set like this, but we never needed more than two blocks for ...
3
votes
1answer
91 views
How should the percussion on an Acoustic guitar be played in the song “Californication”?
I've seen this arrangement for "Californication" (guitar fingerstyle). I'm don't know how to thumb slap well, but I'd like to understand how the slap works here.
For example, look at the ...
4
votes
3answers
306 views
Artificially Extended Drum Duration?
I am watching a beginner's guide to music production using Cakewalk on Youtube. An interesting fact it points out is that adjusting a drum's note duration in the piano roll view has no effect, ...
3
votes
4answers
148 views
Is there a term for the combination of melody and harmony, excluding percussion?
I am working with a simple sound generator, which can simultaneously produce multiple sine waves plus white noise. The sine waves can have their frequency and volume modified over time, and the white ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
What is this part of a kettledrum?
Here is a picture of a kettledrum (from here). What is the name and function of the thing behind the pedal that is indicated in red?
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vote
2answers
59 views
Notating Dynamics for Drum Kit
I'm currently finishing an arrangement in Sibelius. One of the last things I'm adding is dynamic markings. For context, there is a string section, an electric guitar, electric bass, piano and vocals ...
4
votes
5answers
520 views
Guitarist and Bassist as only Bandmembers - Rhythmsection?
We are two individuals, one is playing guitar and sings and the other plays bass. We would like to just cover some rock songs we like and love. However, we do not really want to add another person for ...
3
votes
2answers
84 views
Question about tempo markings on timpani part
I’m playing a timpani part in 4/4 at 132 BPM. 4 measures into the excerpt, there is a “dotted quarter note equals quarter note” marking. In this new section (still in 4/4), there are still eighth ...
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vote
4answers
402 views
Western musical instruments that can be played with one hand
https://www.google.com/search?q=western+musical+instruments
Will it be very few western musical instruments that can be played by human beings with one hand only?
Example : Mouth organ.
0
votes
1answer
94 views
Which specific terms could be used to search for music without beats / percussions / drums?
From what I can gather, most music besides some specific genres is based on top of a background beat layer.
I happen to be one of the (apparently) few people with a strong dislike of any kind of ...
8
votes
3answers
411 views
Why did baroque music use percussion abundantly, but classical stopped?
Classical music evolved from baroque music, which in turn evolved from Renaissance music. Both baroque and even more so Renaissance make extensive use of percussion. It is certainly not new to ...
7
votes
3answers
155 views
Note with two stems in snare drum part [Ravel's Miroir]: What is the result?
This is part of the snare drum part from Ravel's Miroirs No. 4: Alborado del Gracioso (The jester's aubade).
What is the effect of both sticks playing the same note? If the sticks coincide precisely ...
2
votes
1answer
50 views
3
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1answer
89 views
Tenor drum sweeps exercises [closed]
Hey does anyone here know any really good excercizes for practicing sweep patterns for marching tenor drums (preferably with 6 drums)? I have little to do with school shutdown and just wanted to ...
0
votes
2answers
122 views
How to write a beat in a bar with 16th and 32nd notes?
I am trying to find the best way to write this bongo rhythm. I know bongo is usually written on two lines only, or even on one line sometimes, but my bongos are tuned to G so I just use normal music ...
11
votes
2answers
353 views
What is the effect/role of Syahi on the Tabla skins?
What is the effect of Syahi (the black metallic glue) in the middle of Tablas ?
What would happen to the sound if it was:
removed
added twice as more glue
The player who had sold me one of his ...
4
votes
2answers
196 views
Timpani alternative in the band room
I’m looking for a cheaper alternative to the timpani, that may be used in a middle school band.
Any Ideas?
Thanks in advance.
5
votes
2answers
341 views
Is this a correct traditional grip?
I know I put the stick on my ring finger but the exact joint that I’m supposed to have it on confuses me as I was told to do this, but it is slightly painful and my ring finger slides around a lot.
3
votes
1answer
257 views
What is a dotted quarter note, 100 BPM, with a triplet eight note pulse
What is a dotted quarter note, 100 BPM, with a triplet eight note pulse?
My son is in percussion and he has a recording he needs to do and this is the "timing" he was given. Can someone help tell me ...
4
votes
3answers
882 views
In percussion notation, how does one interpret a slurred tremolo?
My question is about tied/slurred tremolos in percussion music notation.
I've had my bongo drums for almost half my life, and am just now deciding to buy a book and learn how to play Afro-Cuban ...
12
votes
4answers
2k views
What is this sound, instrument? (Rheingold, Wagner)
I am currently composing something and I really want to have this sound in my piece. It sounds like a small hammer hammering on metal.
It starts at 1:08:07 (...
11
votes
3answers
964 views
Is it best to use a tie when using 8th notes off the beat?
I am notating my bongos in 4/4. If you look at the last two bars, they are the same rhythm but notated differently.
Can you tell me if the 3rd or 4th bar would be the most correct way to notate the ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Mic Placement for Live Percussive Guitar
Like the title says: Does anyone have tips for mic placement that will help pick up and project percussion (generally through a PA system).
I'm beginning to get more into the "live performance" scene ...
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vote
2answers
661 views
Guiro part notation using cross notes
Here's a picture of a Guiro part in drum notation:
In a Guiro part, what does it mean when there are cross notes? I've seen other Guiro parts elsewhere that use the same line placement but with ...
4
votes
1answer
71 views
Will a forte tympani overpower a quiet orchestra?
So far, I have been mainly using the tympani in my orchestration of the Pathetique Sonata for the purpose of adding an accent. It might change later on to having a more important role but right now, ...
4
votes
1answer
119 views
Question about this thing for timpani
I’m transposing some music in Medly and looking at the sheet music I came across this in the timpani part. Does anyone know what this means because I have no clue >~< I listened to the music a few ...
1
vote
1answer
425 views
Configure 4-4 Tabla for Bansuri Practice
The video below (starting at 2:50) shows the Instructor turning on the 4-4 Tabla player.
How did he configure the Tabla player? He's a wonderful Instructor, but rather vague on these points.
In my ...
2
votes
1answer
214 views
Having issues with guitar percussion
I have started learning percussive techniques on the guitar. While I can reproduce these on my teacher's guitar without issues, I can't do the same on my own guitar. My teacher recommended that I ...
1
vote
3answers
602 views
Can a timpani player play more than one note at a time?
Is it possible for a timpani player to play multiple notes at the same time such as a guitar or piano player would do?
6
votes
1answer
163 views
Path for learning cuica
Really hard to find anything for this lovely crazy little thingy. Can anyone give me hints for a learning path?
What are the first skills I need to acquire? Even sounding up and downstrokes I guess? ...
3
votes
3answers
510 views
Mnemonic or memory aid for Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Marimba, and Vibraphone
I am a choral director who has been transplanted to concert band. I know the differences between the percussion keyboards in theory, but in practice I still need to do an internet search to remember ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
In a rhythm, what word best describes the duration of an on/off beat cycle?
I'm writing some software that composes drum-lines.
I'm looking for a word that describes the lowest unique combination of down- and up-beats.
Eg: Let's say the following are quarter notes:
(Disco ...
3
votes
1answer
137 views
Tubulum Construction: How does including elbows affect the pitch?
I am considering building a tubulum out of 2" PVC pipes. (Like Blue Man Group) There are some specs on the internet for making the notes, but no one really says when inserting an elbow into the length,...
6
votes
2answers
246 views
Did the rain stick originate independently in multiple continents?
There is a traditional rain stick (percussion instrument) in Africa, Latin America, and I believe in Australia as well. Was it invented separately, or did one culture influence another?
Here is a ...
1
vote
1answer
123 views
Has anyone else composed for the Mahler Hammer?
The title pretty much sums it up: Has anyone else (other than the composer for whom it's named) written music that incorporates the "Mahler Hammer™"?
Some more links:
Walt Martin's blog about ...
0
votes
2answers
118 views
How do I turn a regular instrument into electric (with aux port, etc)
Once I get a waterphone I was wondering if I would be able to get a kit or something that would let me plug it into my PC to record it. Would this be feasible for someone who has no experience with ...
7
votes
7answers
5k views
Should I treat the piano like a percussion instrument?
I'm just wondering if I one should see the piano like a percussion instrument? Where the left hand is on some beat that develops. Basically, if you take the view that the piano is a percussion ...
3
votes
2answers
660 views
Timpani Choke Notation
I'm writing a timpani part for a concert band score. I've seen timpanist "choke" the note with their hand (on the head) after striking it to stop it from sustaining. How can I notate this?
5
votes
4answers
4k views
Why does unpitched percussion play a less prominent role in classical music than many other genres?
With my little knowledge of classical music I noticed, and I believe most people would agree, that unpitched percussive instrument play a much less prominent role in classical music than in most ...
7
votes
1answer
419 views
Understanding sound in a lamellophone (kalimba, karimba, or mbira)
I am familiar with the construction of a lamellophone and of a metallophone. I played anklung gamelan for several years and of course I've played around with a thumb piano.
As I understand it with a ...
2
votes
2answers
444 views
Percussion Rhythm Help
Hey, so I need help counting the two measures underlined in red (43-44). I play the conga for this and I need help with counting the rhythm here.
Thank you!
0
votes
1answer
196 views
Exercises for marching with tenor drum
All I have is a pair of marching sticks and a cheap pad, what are some exercises that can help with coordination and muscle required for marching tenors.
3
votes
3answers
99 views
What is the effect of “Conglomerising” your percussion?
When writing music, I use a program called Fruity Loops.
Of the music that I write that has percussion, some of them are written with all the percussion instruments being grouped into one pattern. ...
6
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6answers
2k views
how do you get the pitch of a triangle to get higher or lower?
how to get the pitch of a triangle higher or lower?
2
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1answer
5k views
How many grades are there in learning the drums?
I've gotten to grade 8 in the drums and I want to know how many more grades are left for me to finish.
3
votes
1answer
667 views
Do I need a microphone to record percussion on electroacoustic guitar?
I'm a fingerstyle guitar player and at the moment I own an electric and a classical guitar and I'm looking forward to buy an electroacoustic guitar mostly for the sake of recording covers. The ...
