PERCUSSION
A PERCUSSIONIST’S TOOLS FOR EXPRESSION | Mark Shelton
A wide range of feelings and emotions including Drum set patterns frequently contain ghost GESTURE
joy, sorrow, grief, excitement, frustration, notes to fill space within a groove along with Have you ever observed a concert pianist play
surprise, and elation can be experienced by a providing musical interest. an ascending run and finish with a graceful
listener when musicians incorporate methods
lift of her hand - a lift that continues to move
of expression into their performances. Like NOTE LENGTHS upward as the sound of the final chord fades?
a skilled singer or an accomplished violinist, The rhythm section is playing syncopated hits That gesture probably had little or no influence
a percussionist should be able to go beyond under the melody. Should you let all of your on the actual tone, but it helped convey the
right notes with correct rhythms and play in an cymbal crashes ring through, or would choking musical intent of the player. People hear music
expressive manner. Check out my following a few notes match the phrasing of your section- with their ears and eyes. Never underestimate
commentary mates? Would a short roll on the tambourine fit the power of gesture as a means of expression
expression that apply to playing percussion. a musical moment better than a single strike? in live performance or visual media.
DYNAMICS
regarding
several
tools
for
Understanding the ‘whys and hows’ of note DEVELOPING EXPRESSIVE INTELLECT
most lengths assists in creating proper musical All the tools of expression are of little use
important tool in our expression arsenal. phrasing whether in a group or solo setting. without the knowledge of how and when to
Without dynamics, accents are not possible; Explore the various methods of manipulating apply them properly.
crescendos cannot the sustain of your instruments. With percussion happen. Subtle shadings of volume are vital instruments, control of note lengths includes • Listen to live and recorded music with
to producing nuanced phrasing by mature knowing how to stop vibrations along with the attention to the phrasing. Try to play an
musicians. Practice so that you can produce a ability to extend a short sound with one of the excerpt with the same expression as the
full range of dynamics on all your percussion various types of rolls. example you’ve studied. Copying the musical
Volume
control
and
is
arguably
the
decrescendos
instruments.
nuances of mature musicians is an excellent
ROLL SPEED AND ROLL TYPE method for developing expressive abilities.
ACCENTS Although primarily devices for sustaining sound, Make sure you listen to both percussionists
Play the following measures on any percussion rolls can be applied as expressive elements. and non-percussionists as you study.
instrument paying careful attention to the
• Expression in Music contains a wealth of
accents (Fig. 1). Notice how each line contains • The speed of a roll can be used to convey information on musical phrasing. Famed
the same rhythm, but the change of accents tension or relaxation similar to vibrato speed cornetist, composer, and educator, H.A.
with vocalists. Vandercook gives specific directions on
transforms the phrasing of each example.
Like accents in speech, the extra emphasis • Double stroke, buzz, or single stroke? emphasis, interpretation, ornamental notes,
on certain notes can impact the meaning of Consider the roll options as you make syncopation, and more. Though published in
a musical phase. Snare drum method books phrasing decisions. the 1920s, the ideas in the book are timeless
are good sources for accent exercises - or just
and can be applied whether playing the lead
make up your own. TONE COLOR
(Fig. 1) Choosing a timbre to fit the musical moment is
line or accompaniment.
important for any instrument, but percussionists Whether you are playing a melody on the
are often faced with several options. Would glockenspiel or a background shaker pattern,
the suspended cymbal roll played with nylon- make use of these tools to give meaning to
tipped sticks on a thin plate convey the proper your music. Play with expression.
GHOST NOTES mood, or should you use yarn-covered mallets
While an accented note carries extra emphasis, on a perforated cymbal for breathier sound?
a ghosted note is the opposite; a lessening of Experiment with your arsenal of instruments
the sound. These subtle touches can sound and various implements so that you can apply
like mere whispers of tone, yet they contain an appropriate timbre.
a power all their own when inserted skillfully.
144
August 2019
Mark Shelton
Mark is a freelance musician and educational
consultant based in Dallas/Fort Worth. Performance
credits include North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof
Tango, Daystar Singers & Band, Gateway Worship,
Dallas Wind Symphony, TALEA, and Strata Big
Band.
www.marksheltonmusic.com
percussionforworship.blogspot.com
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