Magical Percussion Instruments
Percussion Instruments Not Just Drum Set
When most of us think of percussion instruments, we immediately think of drum sets. Playing the word association game, when I say percussion instruments you think of what? Yep, drums. While drums are important percussion instruments, there are so, so many more. And these many more percussion instruments fit into various categories.
Now the purpose of my post here is not to list all of those categories. I have put a link at the bottom of the page where you can find a pretty thorough detailing of all the various percussion instruments. Suffice to say that I like the broad classifications that Wikipedia captures for percussion instruments:
- Pitched Percussion
- Unpitched Percussion
- Orchestra Percussion
- World Music
I genuinely think that about covers percussion instruments at the 30,000 foot level. Some of these categories contain hundreds of percussion instruments.
Rocking Percussion Instruments
One of my earliest times experiencing the magic of percussion instruments was attending a football game with my parents. Before the game began the drum corps took the field. The beat and sound they created resonated throughout the stadium and oh my goodness the energy. I could feel it all throughout my body.
Another magical percussion moment was attending a summer musical and hearing the massive kettle drum send waves throughout the hall.
Still another memorable event was attending a rock concert where the drummer just went off like a rocket into a 20 minute solo. Everything and everyone just stopped and tried to take it all in. Mesmerizing! Magical! Transforming!
I share these three memories of mine to get you to thinking about percussion instruments and their impact on you. Often we're so affixed to the tune of a song -- the melody -- that we give little or no thought to the part played by percussion instruments in creating the mood or feel. Just imagine listening to your favorite song without any percussion instruments.
Playing Percussion Instruments
You may have heard the saying about putting a pair of drum sticks in a person's hands and they immediately think they can play the drums. Well, let me tell you that I don't think so!
But, you have to start somewhere. Some of the best percussion musicians stay in learn mode. They jam with one another and share tips and techniques just like with many other things. However, just because you took a high school band class and had a lesson or two on playing the drums does not a percussionist master make.
If you're really interested in learning to play certain percussion instruments, one of the things I recommend you do is search online. You're likely to find some decent instructional videos and training on exactly the instrument you're interested in. Gone are the days where your geography limited you because no teachers were around to share their knowledge.
There are even online courses that you can look into for percussion instruments. So, don't be daunted. Start simple, but start. Just try to be respectful of others in your household. Honestly, I'm telling you this because you're more likely to gt their support and encouragement if they're not climbing the walls because of your noise creation issues. Practice and play when they're away. Then give your own little private concert when you've set the stage and are assured they're in listen mode.
Rollins Percussion Ensemble Plays A Super Mario Medley Part1
Wikipedia has an excellent article full of links for further research and background. When you click on the link you will also see their extremely complete listing of all the various types of percussion instruments.
Incoming search terms:
- www millerhowell com
- Rollins Percussion Ensemble