Non-percussionists playing on percussion instruments before and after rehearsals, during breaks and any other time there is no active rehearsal happening. This occurs all too often in many schools and organizations.
This is a big problem for at least 3 reasons:
1. It shows a lack of respect for the instrument and to the owner.
2. It reinforces the idea that the percussion instruments are toys and requires very little technique and musicianship.
3. There is an increased chance of damage to the instrument.
Ownership:
Brass, wind and string instruments are normally owned or rented by the student (or parent) while most percussion instruments are owned by the school or organization, particularly the large instruments such as timpani/mallets/bass drum etc.
Stating at the beginning of the year or season that non-percussionists are never to play the instruments is important. This should be followed by monitoring on a daily basis and reminders when the rule is broken.
When coaching the Youth Symphony I found that the most effective way to make this point was to have the Principal Percussionist of each group give a short statement in front of that group at the beginning of the season. This gives the importance of leadership on the part of the Principal Percussionist and the ownership of the equipment to the section.
"I can do that."
The Percussionist's 'embouchure' is: proper grip/stroke, stick/mallet choice, beating spot. This multi-faceted embouchure is required to produce the best musical sound from the instrument. Unfortunately some non-percussionists feel that a grip is a grip, a stick is a stick, and a beating spot is a beating spot.
Compare this to a golfer who must choose from multiple clubs for different situations. Different grips and positions on the shaft of the club produce different results.
The wrong choice will cause the golfer to have a bad shot. For percussion, that wrong choice could mean a less than acceptable sound or worse, damaged or broken equipment.
A brass player may see a percussionist playing bells with brass mallets. Later he may pick up those same brass mallets and play on the marimba. Imagine the result to the rosewood bars.
Put it away!
Placing the smaller instruments in their proper storage area and covering the larger instruments goes a long way in resisting temptation. This is another rule that should be made on a daily basis.
Everyone is drawn to the Percussion section, the movement of the percussionist from one instrument to another, the different sounds of the various instruments. And if they would like to play one of the instruments they should be encouraged to do so. But only if permission is given and then monitored by the percussionist or the director.
This is a big problem for at least 3 reasons:
1. It shows a lack of respect for the instrument and to the owner.
2. It reinforces the idea that the percussion instruments are toys and requires very little technique and musicianship.
3. There is an increased chance of damage to the instrument.
Ownership:
Brass, wind and string instruments are normally owned or rented by the student (or parent) while most percussion instruments are owned by the school or organization, particularly the large instruments such as timpani/mallets/bass drum etc.
Stating at the beginning of the year or season that non-percussionists are never to play the instruments is important. This should be followed by monitoring on a daily basis and reminders when the rule is broken.
When coaching the Youth Symphony I found that the most effective way to make this point was to have the Principal Percussionist of each group give a short statement in front of that group at the beginning of the season. This gives the importance of leadership on the part of the Principal Percussionist and the ownership of the equipment to the section.
"I can do that."
The Percussionist's 'embouchure' is: proper grip/stroke, stick/mallet choice, beating spot. This multi-faceted embouchure is required to produce the best musical sound from the instrument. Unfortunately some non-percussionists feel that a grip is a grip, a stick is a stick, and a beating spot is a beating spot.
Compare this to a golfer who must choose from multiple clubs for different situations. Different grips and positions on the shaft of the club produce different results.
The wrong choice will cause the golfer to have a bad shot. For percussion, that wrong choice could mean a less than acceptable sound or worse, damaged or broken equipment.
A brass player may see a percussionist playing bells with brass mallets. Later he may pick up those same brass mallets and play on the marimba. Imagine the result to the rosewood bars.
Put it away!
Placing the smaller instruments in their proper storage area and covering the larger instruments goes a long way in resisting temptation. This is another rule that should be made on a daily basis.
Everyone is drawn to the Percussion section, the movement of the percussionist from one instrument to another, the different sounds of the various instruments. And if they would like to play one of the instruments they should be encouraged to do so. But only if permission is given and then monitored by the percussionist or the director.
Thanks for the comment on my blog. Good to hear that someone got some Chokecherries! I was in band eons ago...the poor kids always played the drums. because it didn't involve a purchase...maybe the wooden sticks:) I played Trumpet...not very well as I am tone deaf:)
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