Percussion instruments are possibly the oldest instruments. They were fashioned out of whatever was around: sticks, logs, clay vessels, or gourds filled with seeds. They provide the heartbeat that drives the music forward and makes you want to move. There are so many percussion instruments that I can barely scratch the surface in this simple lesson. I hope you find time to do some "research" and find out ones you like best, or better yet, play around with what you have in your house and start making music. I'm not a dancer by any means, but when I hear a good beat, I can't help but move! I hope you get those toes tappin, fingers snappin, and move your feet to any beat! 😄
Week 7: Percussion Family (May 4-8)
1. Eastman Percussion Ensemble: Fandango 13 (Video)
- This is a great watch. The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY is one of the top music schools in the country. This piece features the versatility of what it means to be a percussionist. You will see xylophones, marimbas, chimes, cymbals, snare drums, bongos, and more!
2. Fanfare For the Common Man by Aaron Copland
- This piece is unique in that it only has Percussion and Brass represented. You will hear timpani drums and lots of horns.
3. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
- This piece is long (around 10 mins) but it was written to showcase each instrument family
OPTIONAL: Design your own percussion instrument! Use recycled objects in your home. Feel free to decorate it, name it, and show me how it's played (shake, scrape, strike).
Additional Optional Resources
Backstage With Bleeckie- Meet the Orchestra A puppet gets to go backstage and chat with some of the musicians. It's a little cheesy but kinda cute.
Percussion Family Coloring Sheet
Another fantastic watch is the Marimba Quartet Live at PASIC performing the Finale from Carnival of the Animals. These percussionists are very talented. It takes a lot of hard work to play a piece on percussion instruments that was written for piano and orchestra. If you are interested, I would listen to the original Finale first and then watch it played by the Marimba quartet. Amazing.
Toccata for Percussion Instruments by Carlos Chavez is a piece that was composed specifically for percussion instruments. I like the 3rd movement the best.
