When it comes to playing loud, fast passages on tambourine, especially when the tempo is too fast to play using one hand, the fist/knee technique proves invaluable! CLICK THE IMAGE TO LEARN MORE...
I have often been asked about my tambourine grip, and while I employ a range of variations, my basic "go-to" technique is to hold the tambourine at a 45° angle to the floor. The reason is simple - it produces a balanced jingle sound. Think about it, the tambourine jingles need to vibrate to produce sound and they have a harder time vibrating if they are lying flat. Try this, hold the tambourine at a 90° angle to the floor (perpendicular) and strike the tambourine. Now do the same thing with the tambourine flat. Notice that the sound is dry (short) when held flat and rather "wet" (resonant) when held perpendicularly. So, by employing my 45° concept you will get...
We've started posting individual 30 second instructional videos that will cover a wide-range of topics. New "quickies" will be added each week, so, if you like what you see, check our Youtube Quick Tips playlist for more valuable goodies!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEnNC3SifTs&index=0&list=PLb1bpH2Bg2XmacM-pqI9Gr8YptvBplgfm
Dear Music Majors, Let’s discuss recital performance etiquette briefly. Going on stage to perform is an important part of your training as a musician and teacher but is also the culmination of all your hard work in the practice room working at perfecting your craft on your instrument. You should not look at going on stage to perform as a punishment or as something you HAVE to do. You should look at it as an opportunity to show off what you have learned and most importantly to try and communicate something to those who are there to listen to you. The audience is there to support you and to enjoy your work and is looking forward to hearing what you...
For percussionists, traveling to auditions can be more challenging than playing the audition. We have to get ourselves, as well as a shopping cart full of gear to the audition, that could be halfway around the world. We are not the only ones that have this issue. I have helped tuba players and bass players get to the airport with their over-sized cargo in my truck. We may have it bad but at least our equipment can break down into small pieces. They have to beg and bribe their way onto airplanes! To start with let’s ask ourselves what we need to take to the audition. I always start with this because first and foremost I want to sound my...
