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.
78
questions
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3answers
834 views
Is it best to use a tie when using 8th notes off the beat?
I am notating my bongos in 4/4 and if you look at the last two bars, they are almost the same. Can you please help me by telling me if the 3rd or 4th bar would be more correct? It seems silly using a ...
1
vote
1answer
23 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 ...
4
votes
4answers
399 views
Relationship between woodwinds and brass in a marching band? [closed]
In a marching band I noticed there's three main components: percussion, woodwinds and brass. I was wondering what the relationship between brass (eg. trumpet) and woodwinds (eg clarinet) in a march. ...
1
vote
2answers
150 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
55 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, ...
5
votes
1answer
93 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
102 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 ...
0
votes
5answers
378 views
Can you please explain why 'white' soul means accented on the first and third beat while 'black' soul is on the second and fourth? [closed]
Can you please explain why 'white' soul rhythm means accented on the first and third beat while 'black' soul rhythm is on the second and fourth?
2
votes
1answer
86 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
165 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?
4
votes
0answers
78 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 is the first skills I need to acquire? Even sounding up and downstrokes I guess? ...
2
votes
3answers
265 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
54 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
112 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
84 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
87 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
99 views
What is this instrument? [closed]
In the first half of the GoldenEye Overture (called Half Of Everything Is Luck), there is a percussion instrument I've been wondering about. It appears at the fourth beat (or on the off-beat just ...
1
vote
0answers
105 views
What is this percussion instrument? [closed]
Latvian electronic music band Jumprava use/used a particular percussion instrument in a number of their pieces, which can be seen in this 1987 concert recording:
The ...
7
votes
7answers
4k 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
298 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?
4
votes
4answers
3k 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
244 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
425 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
87 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
89 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. ...
0
votes
2answers
880 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
votes
1answer
3k 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
348 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
298 views
What is this japanese wooden instrument called?
Yesterday I stumbled upon an interesting percussion instrument:
(Instrument at 3:28 of the video)
The instrument takes the form of an oblong wooden block with 12 ...
2
votes
2answers
417 views
What is the recommended notation for bowed marimba?
I've been writing a piece for winds and marimba, and I was looking to see if there was a proper way to notate this technique. I haven't seen an answer on music forums, but have heard many pieces use ...
3
votes
5answers
2k views
What acoustic percussion instrument sounds like handclaps?
When there's a group of musicians playing, it's often not practical for several of them to stop what they're doing so they can clap instead, so is there an acoustic percussion instrument that can be ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
How is such an instrument called?
Recently we took an empty Pringles chips can (a long cylinder), filled it with groats and now can use it to play rhythms or imitate the sound of rain. How is such an instrument called and where could ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
What kind of wood is 'Lava Burl' in Cajon?
I was checking out on some cajons, and found the Meinl Artisan Buleria Cajon. On its specs, I found that its body is made of birch, yet its frontplate is of 'Lava Burl'. What is this about? Is it a ...
3
votes
5answers
2k views
Drums in Apartment
I am currently in the market for a new apartment/house. I am aiming for a house since I want to be able to jam with others, but was wondering if this was ever possible for others in apartments. There ...
5
votes
1answer
305 views
How do you maintain a cuica in good playing condition?
I have a cuica I am learning to play and want to make sure there are no maintenance issues obstructing my practice. It's a very temperamental instrument - it can require slight adjustments in ...
-2
votes
1answer
2k views
Which wood is best for cajon [closed]
I saw on www.amazon.in kadence cajon with variety of wood used in . But i am new to this so i need to know which wood is best the price is almost same for all wood.
3
votes
2answers
90 views
Wood vs Stone first drum
What was the first drum instrument? Was it wood or stone? Maybe there is an answer out there, but all I found were mere discussions.
0
votes
1answer
289 views
What is the name of this percussion instrument?
I'm listening to the song "There Goes the Fear" by the Doves. There's a peculiar percussive instrument that fades in starting around the 6:15 mark and then becomes the foremost percussive instrument ...
-1
votes
1answer
685 views
The clarinet, flute, trumpet and timpani [closed]
I'm trying to learn instrumentation but then I still don't understand the range of these instruments. It's too complicated for me to understand the range, key and notation. Can anyone explain it to me?...
3
votes
2answers
397 views
Is a triangle okay for rock music?
My friends and I are performing "Don't Stop Believing" and I think the triangle is the only instrument I can play and not ruin everything. Are there any better basic instruments. We are just doing ...
3
votes
5answers
9k views
String vs Percussion - What is a Piano?
Online, I have researched what a piano is, and it says it is a percussion instrument. But when you look inside a piano, there are many strings, which are hit to give the piano its noise. Also, you can ...
2
votes
2answers
499 views
How can I improve my interpretation of rhythm and percussion?
I am a non-drummer/non-percussionist well versed, for my personal purposes, in tonal harmony - up to the point where tonal chord structures can be implemented without functional movement and serve to ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
Is there a word for drum beats that sound like a heartbeat?
I've heard this in two songs over the years: deep, slow drum beats that sound like a heart beating. Is there a word for this unusual sound?
2
votes
2answers
3k views
What is the name of these tubes, that emit sound when being swung?
The group "Walk off the earth" are performing a video cover of "Hello" using some colourful sound generators, that emit sound when being swung (e.g. in seconds 00:05 to 00:10):
...
4
votes
3answers
4k views
Why is A=442 the common tuning for percussion instruments?
When looking at percussion instruments, I noticed that the default tuning for most companies is A=442 for tuned percussion (vibes, marimba, tubular bells, etc…). I wonder if there is a reason for ...
2
votes
3answers
6k views
Cajon - What thickness Plywood should I use for the playing surface?
A standard Cajon is not easily available in my locality. So I have started building my own, using plywood.
For the playing surface, the minimum thickness of plywood available is 4mm. Is it good ...
8
votes
2answers
10k views
How do you tune a conga set?
Getting a conga and a quinto, how to tune each other to obtain the most harmonious sound ? Do they need a specific tone shiftting ?
8
votes
4answers
3k views
Should tabla drum produce any buzzing?
Earlier today I was trying out two tabla drum sets in a music shop and I noticed that both sets they had were producing a buzzing sound while being played. I am no tabla player but I have been playing ...
2
votes
1answer
188 views
How is the hihat played in the intro to the Donna Summer song “Could It Be Magic”?
I'm new to playing drums, and have noticed that there's a technique to play hihat patterns, used for example in the intro to Donna Summers' "Could It Be Magic".
Listen to the the intro, at 00:00--00:...
