The Contemporary Percussionist

Etudes designed to develop accuracy and speed in sight reading. Contains solos and duets with rapidly changing time signatures.

(Meredith Music Percussion). These 20 graduated solos requiring from 2 to 12 instruments are ideal for recital or solo festival. The comprehensive introduction provides essential information for performing today's percussion solos.

First Published in 1992. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Resonance investigates recent developments in the field of contemporary percussion music. The five case studies examine how composers, performers, and listeners collaborate. An analysis of their collaborations reveals that recent advances include the reconceptualization of physical space and utilization of virtual space, the arrangement and orchestration of the composer's voice for percussion instruments, and how collaborators can use source material to explore new avenues of performance. The dissertation also features a creative component, a composition for amplified percussion instruments and four-track cassette recorder titled Resonance, in Three Movements. Scholars and artists interested in unique approaches to interdisciplinary collaboration involving physical and virtual space, source material, and commissioning will find that these case studies provide unique insights involving new directions in the burgeoning field of percussion studies.

More than eighty years have passed since Edgard Varèse’s catalytic work for percussion ensemble, Ionisation, was heard in its New York premiere. A flurry of pieces for this new medium dawned soon after, challenging the established truths and preferences of the European musical tradition while setting the stage for percussion to become one of the most significant musical advances of the twentieth century. This 'revolution', as John Cage termed it, was a quintessentially modernist movement - an exploration of previously undiscovered sounds, forms, textures, and styles. However, as percussion music has progressed and become woven into the fabric of Western musical culture, several divergent paths, comprised of various traditions and a multiplicity of aesthetic sensibilities, have since emerged for the percussionist to pursue. This edited collection highlights the progressive developments that continue to investigate uncharted musical grounds. Using historical studies, philosophical insights, analyses of performance practice, and anecdotal reflections authored by some of today's most engaged performers, composers, and scholars, this book aims to illuminate the unique destinations found in the artistic journey of the modern percussionist.

Percussion instruments such as drums, cymbals, gongs, and xylophones comprise one of the largest and ever-expanding areas of music performance, composition, and sound effects. Profusely illustrated, A Dictionary for the Modern Percussionist and Drummer is an essential resource for any student, professional, or amateur musician who wants to delve into the vast world of percussion and drumming instruments and terminology. With an emphasis on modern terms in many languages and genres, James A. Strain has defined, detailed, and explained the use of percussion instruments and drums not only for classical genres (such as orchestra, symphonic, band, and opera) but also for popular styles (such as jazz, rock, music theater, and marching band). Also included are those world music instruments and ensembles commonly found in public school and university settings (such as steel drum bands, samba bands, and gamelan ensembles) as well as historical genres related to rope and rudimental drumming. Written for professional and amateur percussionists as well as non-percussionist educators, this book includes valuable topics on instrument construction and tuning and specific playing techniques, as well as instrument setup diagrams with models and ranges of keyboard percussion instruments. With more than 300 images and examples, it is the ideal reference book to enable any musician to better understand the extensive world of percussion and drumming.

One of the classic snare drum books in print today! This publication presents the reader with challenging and stimulating material for the intermediate and advanced percussion student. Contains 50 musical solos and brief performance notes.