Percussion instruments are some of the oldest instruments to music. Percussion started out as using hands or feet to keep a rhythm and then progressed to using sticks, rocks, and other objects to create sound. As time went on, percussion instruments evolved into using drums made out of dried animal skin stretched tightly over an open piece of wood. For almost every culture since recorded history there has been a presence of drums used in traditional music, way before the first in-home drums lesson in Baltimore. From the earliest African tribes to Native Americans drums, percussions have been a major part of music.
Percussion is often called the Heartbeat or Backbone to music. A percussionist is responsible to create a steady pulse or rhythm as other musicians are playing harmonies or melody. There are two different types of percussion instruments. Pitched percussion instruments have a recognizable pitch when played, such as the tympani and triangle. Unpitched percussion instruments have no recognizable pitch when played.
Getting Started With In Home Percussions Lessons
When a student wants to take private music lessons they most likely want to learn to play the drum set. This is the most common form of percussion for new students. Many times the student wants to play with their friends and start a band. The drum set is a vital role in every band. It helps the music have a pulse and keeps the other instruments on tempo of beat. Often times the drum set helps to emphasize a rhythm to a song that is also used by other members of the band.
When first starting out with percussion lessons, a student will need their own drum set to practice on during and after their lessons with a drum teacher. Drum sets start off simple and affordable and can quickly escalate to massive amounts of instruments and pieces. For beginner drum students they will typically need three parts of a drum set. The Snare, a High Hat, and a Bass Drum. With these three parts the student can begin working on rhythms and techniques. As a student progresses it is very easy to begin to add more and more parts to their drum sets such as cymbals, tom toms, triangles, cowbells and much more.
Playing Percussions In School
When a student enters middle school or high school there is often an orchestra or a band that they can join to play in the percussion section. The percussion section in a band or orchestra is different from playing a drum set. In a classical music setting the percussion section will still use the Snare and Cymbals, but will also use many more types of percussion instruments such as tympani and xylophones. Typically in a percussion section for these types of groups a percussionist will only play one percussion instrument and is not always the focus of the music. However if there is a Jazz Band offered at a Middle School or High School the percussionist will be playing on a drum set.
Practicing Percussion
Just like with learning any musical instrument, learning to play percussion takes practice. If a student is taking lessons with a drum set often times when the student is practicing it can be very loud and distracting in a home to other members of the family. Try to find a space in your home where your student can feel comfortable with practicing. Many times a basement or garage is a good space for a drum set because it is out of the way of other distractions for the student. If a space where the drum set is being used is too loud, try lining the room with soundproofing. This will help to cut down on the sound from the drum set throughout the home.
When practicing percussion the student will be assigned rhythm patterns to work on and eventually master. Another great way to practice is to listen to a song and play along with the music. To know about great practice routines, contact us today!
