PERCUSSION
PERCUSSION FACTS : RANDOM & QUICK | Mark Shelton
The world of percussion boasts a rich history replete with interesting details about instruments , artisans , and performers scattered over every inhabited continent . Intriguing stories abound regarding this fascinating family of instruments and the people who build and play percussion . As a fan of random facts , I have gathered several items of percussion info to share including a few interesting tidbits from Biblical research .
The Hebrew word Toph refers to a percussion instrument — probably a drum . The word occurs seventeen times in the Old Testament . Bible translators have used tambourine , timbrel , and tabret as an English equivalent of toph . Examples include Exodus 15:20 , 1 Samuel 18:6 , 2 Samuel 6:5 , Psalms 81:2 , Psalms 149:3
William and Theo Ludwig applied for a bass drum pedal patent in 1909 . A significant moment in drum set history !
At the age of four Buddy Rich was performing as “ Baby Traps , The Drum Wonder .”
Asaph was a chief among the Levite musicians and composer of several Psalms . According to Scripture , the famed leader and songwriter was also a percussionist . … and Asaph with cymbals , sounding aloud ; with Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually , before the ark of the covenant of God . 1 Chronicles 16 : 4-5 WEB
Remo Belli developed the first successful synthetic drum head in 1957 . Game changer !
According to percussionist and researcher Glen Velez , an image of a frame drum with jingles set into the shell dating back to approximately 22 AD can be found in the Vatican Museum . This points to an instrument resembling the headed tambourine being in use for at least 2000 years .
The largest gathering of percussionists in the world occurs every November in Indianapolis , Indiana . The Percussive Arts Society International Convention ( PASIC ) brings performers , educators , and students together for three days of concerts , clinics , and contests along with a very loud exhibit hall featuring a plethora of percussion gear .
On double-row tambourines , the jingles are arranged in the shell in either a stacked or staggered configuration .
Speed drumming champion Eric Okamoto set a record in 2012 for playing paradiddles by knocking out 1279 strikes in one minute . That works out to about 320 paradiddles within 60 seconds . Although Eric studied percussion with me in a previous century , I take no credit for his amazing hand velocity .
Established in 1854 , Noble & Cooley is the oldest drum company in the United States and ranks among the oldest in the world .
According to Strong ’ s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible , cymbals ( ringing metal instruments ) are mentioned sixteen times in the King James Version of the Old Testament . Example : Psalms 150:4
Over 800 pieces of percussion come together to form the planet ’ s largest drum set . Musician and minister Mark Temperato created the massive four- ton kit which includes six bass drums , 85 cowbells , and over 275 cymbals .
Zildjian is America ’ s oldest family-owned business . The company began making cymbals in Turkey in 1623 before moving to the US in 1929 .
The biggest bass drum resides in Texas ( of course ). The huge instrument was built for the University of Texas Longhorn Band and named Big Bertha II . Constructed by Austin-based A & F Drum Company , the giant drum boasts a huge 55-inch shell along with a massive head that measures app . 9.5 feet .
The National Association of Rudimental Drummers was formed in 1933 by a group of thirteen prominent American percussionists . The members worked to assemble a grouping of rudiments that were termed The Thirteen Essential Rudiments .
Rogers Drum Company had its beginnings as a nineteenth-century manufacturer of calfskin heads before adding drums to their product line in 1930 .
Miriam , the sister of Moses , was a drummer with some multitasking skills : singing , dancing , and leading worship while playing percussion . “ And Miriam the prophetess , the sister of Aaron , took a timbrel ( drum ) in her hand ; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances .” Exodus 15:20 ASV
Were any of these facts a surprise ? Did you learn anything new ? Are you inspired to discover more information ? Thanks to the many percussionrelated books , periodicals , websites , and podcasts , research on your favorite instrument or percussionist is easier than ever . Dive in and learn .
© 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
102 July 2023 Subscribe for Free ...