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The Percussion The Percussion FamilyFamily

Learning about the Learning about the percussion instruments!percussion instruments!

66thth grade grade

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Some Percussion instrumentsSome Percussion instruments

►Snare drumSnare drum►Bass drumBass drum►Mallet instrumentsMallet instruments►TimpaniTimpani►Drum setDrum set►CymbalsCymbals►Piano (believe it or not)Piano (believe it or not)►Small Percussion (ex: triangle, Small Percussion (ex: triangle,

tambourine)tambourine)

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What percussionists do!

They play their instruments behind the rest of the band or orchestra.They generally rotate instruments between pieces.They must have basic skills on bass drum, snare drum, crash cymbals, and mallet instruments.They have to do a lot of instrument moving because no one owns their own set of all percussion instruments!

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The Snare DrumThe Snare Drum

Looks like this! – Looks like this! –

It is played with snare sticks like what are It is played with snare sticks like what are shown above.shown above.

You should play it standing up with straight You should play it standing up with straight posture!posture!

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Where are Snare drums Where are Snare drums played?played?

Marching BandMarching Band Concert bandsConcert bands SymphoniesSymphonies Rock Bands (drum sets)Rock Bands (drum sets) Army bandsArmy bands

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How to play a snare drum! Stand in front of the snare drum. Have sticks in each hand and both looking the same. Hit the snare drum between the middle and the edge

to make the best sound. Make sure both hands sound the same as you strike

the drum. Top part of hands should be facing up as you play.

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The Mallet instrumentsThe Mallet instruments

Mallet instruments include marimbas, Mallet instruments include marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, and bells.xylophones, vibraphones, and bells.

They have the same set up as a keyboard, They have the same set up as a keyboard, but are played with mallets instead of but are played with mallets instead of fingers.fingers.

Mallet instruments are played with mallets Mallet instruments are played with mallets which are sticks with yarn balls on the ends which are sticks with yarn balls on the ends for better sound.for better sound.

A marimba looks like this-A marimba looks like this-

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How to play a mallet How to play a mallet instrument!instrument!

►You must use a mallets to hit the You must use a mallets to hit the different bars on the marimba (different different bars on the marimba (different mallets can make different mallets can make different soundssounds, so , so pick one you like!)pick one you like!)

►To learn to play the instrument well just To learn to play the instrument well just like any other instruments, you must like any other instruments, you must put in lots of time to learn the different put in lots of time to learn the different notes.notes.

►Learn note names (for piano and mallet Learn note names (for piano and mallet instruments) instruments) herehere!!

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The Timpani!The Timpani!

This instrument consists of 5 This instrument consists of 5 different drums.different drums.

These drums have pedals that allow These drums have pedals that allow you to change the pitch.you to change the pitch.

The timpani are played like snare The timpani are played like snare drums but you can sit down.drums but you can sit down.

A timpani looks like this-A timpani looks like this-

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The Bass DrumThe Bass Drum

►The bass drum can be played in The bass drum can be played in concert bands and in marching band.concert bands and in marching band.

►They are sideways unlike the snare They are sideways unlike the snare drum and timpani.drum and timpani.

►To play a bass drum, you should hit To play a bass drum, you should hit between the center and the edge with between the center and the edge with a bass drum mallet.a bass drum mallet.

►A marching bass drummer-A marching bass drummer-

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The pianoThe piano

Believe or not, the piano is a percussion Believe or not, the piano is a percussion instrument! (Learn more notes instrument! (Learn more notes herehere!)!)

It takes a lot of time to learn the different It takes a lot of time to learn the different notes of the piano like it does for mallet notes of the piano like it does for mallet instruments!instruments!

It is good to learn the piano because it helps It is good to learn the piano because it helps you play the mallets better! (the layout of you play the mallets better! (the layout of the piano is the exact same for mallet the piano is the exact same for mallet instruments, they are just played differently)instruments, they are just played differently)

Test your theory Test your theory herehere!!

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Cymbals!Cymbals!

• Crash cymbalsCrash cymbals– You take two You take two

cymbals and crash cymbals and crash them togetherthem together

– You hold them with You hold them with your hands as you your hands as you playplay

– These are the kind These are the kind of cymbals seen in of cymbals seen in marching bandmarching band

• Suspended Suspended cymbalscymbals– For this kind of For this kind of

cymbal, you roll one cymbal, you roll one cymbal with malletscymbal with mallets

– You play the cymbal You play the cymbal on a stand while on a stand while standing next to itstanding next to it

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The Drum set!The Drum set!

The drum set is a combination of the various The drum set is a combination of the various drums of percussion.drums of percussion.

You play cymbals, bass drum, and snare all at You play cymbals, bass drum, and snare all at the same time.the same time.

It takes a lot of coordination to play all these at It takes a lot of coordination to play all these at once.once.

They are played often in jazz and rock bands.They are played often in jazz and rock bands. Learn more Learn more herehere!!

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Other percussion Other percussion instrumentsinstruments

There are lots of other instruments that are used in There are lots of other instruments that are used in percussion. A few to know of are:percussion. A few to know of are:

TriangleTriangle TambourineTambourine CowbellCowbell CastanetsCastanets Wood blockWood block Sleigh bellsSleigh bells gonggong

All these smaller instruments are used in concert bands and All these smaller instruments are used in concert bands and symphonies. They are just as important as any other symphonies. They are just as important as any other percussion part!percussion part!