PERCUSSION
SIMPLE IS YOUR FRIEND | Mark Shelton
There can be a need for speed . Sometimes complicated rhythms are essential . Shredding might actually be necessary . It ’ s a good thing to possess a high degree of technical chops when that ’ s required .
Although some musical situations require a percussionist to crank out piles of notes in a rapid fashion , the opposite is often the case . In styles such as pop , rock , country , and contemporary worship , the percussionist ’ s duties frequently involve performing simple rhythms and providing coloristic elements .
Check out a few simple ways to tap into simple as a percussionist .
UNCOMPLICATED WARM-UP Stretching and warming up should be included in your practice routine for the purposes of injury prevention and improved performance . However , there is no need to play rhythmically complex or technically challenging exercises in the early moments of your warm-up . Instead of using your mental energy to remember intricate licks , direct your main focus toward the basic skill that you want to refine by playing simple exercises .
ONLY A DASH OF DING The brilliant timbres of the triangle and finger cymbals can soar over the sound of a fiftymember orchestra . Even so , the power and beauty of those instruments can move from tasty to tedious if those sounds are heard too frequently in a song . Go for the simple and search for musical moments that can be complemented by adding a small amount of sparkling metallic percussion .
“ Simplicity is the key to brilliance .” ~ Bruce Lee
THE SUPER-EASY , MULTI-PURPOSE MARCHA The basic conga drum sounds include the heelbass tone , open tone , fingers , and muffled slap . Once you have mastered these tones , learn this simple and super-useful version of the tumbao pattern . Also known as marcha , this standard conga rhythm is not only easy to grasp but can be adapted to fit a variety of situations .
• Play it in straight eighths as written and the marcha will work in many pop / rock songs .
• Give the eighths a swing feel and the pattern becomes a shuffle or swing pattern .
• Reduce the note values by a half ( eighths become sixteenths ) to adapt the marcha to a double-time feel .
• Since the marcha belongs to the Afro- Cuban family , the pattern can fit into certain Latin-influenced settings .
SIMPLY SHAKING Many shaker patterns consist of a succession of equally-spaced eighth or sixteenth notes . A large portion of shake tambourine parts are rhythmically similar to shaker patterns . In some cases , it is necessary to play accents within those patterns , but use accents with discretion . Let simplicity guide you so that any accents are enhancing rather than cluttering the groove . My formula for these loop-like patterns is to focus on even spacing and consistent volume ( with only a slight pulsation on the downbeats ) using accents only when necessary .
A TOUCH OF COLOR It ’ s not all groove when you play percussion . One of our superpowers is enhancing the musical texture with coloristic effects . A simple glissando on the bar chimes , a gentle sweep of the Chinese bell tree , or a shimmering cymbal scrape can have significant effect when placed correctly .
SIMPLE WITH THE CYMBAL A suspended cymbal roll is equally at home lifting the music to a climax in a symphonic classic or smoothing the transition from verse to chorus in a contemporary worship song . Playing a cymbal roll with soft mallets is relatively simple compared to other percussion techniques , but the unique sound holds great musical power . There are moments when playing a cymbal roll is the most important thing I can do to enhance the song . Develop your musical discernment so that you can insert this simple musical element at the proper moment .
THE ABSOLUTE IN EASY Is there anything more simple than not playing ? When you have nothing meaningful to add , consider taking a rest for a while . Remember that a momentary halt can set up the impact of your next entrance . The decision to pause is a musical decision .
As you seek simplicity , remember that simple does not equal boring or lazy . Even when playing a small number of notes , be engaged in the moment ; find the tone color , play the appropriate dynamic level , and use your gestures to enhance the music .
“ Simplicity is the final achievement . After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes , it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art .”
~ Frederic Chopin
© 2023 Mark Shelton Productions / Percussion For Worship
Mark Shelton Mark is a freelance musician , educational consultant , and content creator based in Dallas / Fort Worth . Performance credits include North Carolina Symphony , Tin Roof Tango , Daystar Singers & Band , Gateway Worship , Stonebriar Church , Wichita Falls Orchestra , Strata Big Band , TALEA , and Dallas Wind Symphony . www . marksheltonmusic . com percussionforworship . blogspot . com
96 December 2023 Subscribe for Free ...