PERCUSSION
NINE PRINCIPLES FOR THE PERCUSSIONIST | Mark Shelton
Standard Operating Procedure, Best Practices, Recommended Protocol, Optimal Methods.. all those terms point to appropriate methods for success in an area of endeavor. These systems, ranging from strong suggestions to rigid rules, are found in various fields, including business, government, sports, and the arts.
Over the decades, I have learned principles that have guided me in my roles as percussionist and producer. Here are nine guidelines for your consideration.
1. THE S & S FORMULA My major go-to approach in many performance and recording situations:
Simple and Solid.
Even if you are playing percussion with the likes of Freddie Fusion and the Odd-time Octet, keeping things simple is often the wise choice. Playing a steady stream of shaker sixteenths or tossing a few tambourine notes into a measure can add a noticeable spice to a groove. A solitary note from the triangle might be the proper punctuation for a musical moment.
The term solid encompasses the elements that produce the right feel; confident playing, correct rhythmic subdivision, proper phrasing, and effective use of accents and dynamics.
2. COPY SUCCESS You don’ t always need to reinvent the wheel. If there is a commercially released recording of a song, chances are good the percussion tracks are worthy of consideration as you construct your part.
3. JUST GO WITH THE DRUMMER The percussion and drum set parts must mesh properly to form a solid groove. Timbres, rhythms, and phrasing should combine and complement rather than collide and confuse. It is a delicate interaction, and rehearsals are generally too short for lengthy negotiations. As the percussionist, I generally allow the drum set player to establish the basic structure of a groove, and I construct my parts around that framework.
4. ALERT: TEMPTATION AHEAD When playing percussion in an ensemble that includes a drum set player, do not play a fill unless requested or negotiated in advance. You have been warned.
5. GESTURE People process music with their ears and EYES. Never underestimate the power of gesture as a means of expression in live performance or visual media. Study the expressive movements of great percussionists to learn how to use this tool. Watch video of your playing to see if your gestures are assisting in transmitting your musical intentions.
6. TRY TO MAKE IT FIT Whether a part comes from a carefully notated score or a rhythm pattern sung by the music director, it is the duty of a musician to try to weave assigned parts correctly into the entire musical fabric. Although you are playing the correct rhythms and pitches, a part might need some fine-tuning before it conforms properly. Consider factors such as tone quality, dynamics, and note lengths as you endeavor to make the part fit appropriately.
7. THE‘ NOT PLAYING’ DECISION In many styles of sacred music, we have‘ forced-discipline’ when we are reading from a chart with specifically notated percussion— along with a conductor who expects a faithful rendition. However, in contemporary worship music, a percussionist is frequently expected to take an active role in creating the part. When‘ forced-discipline’ is absent,‘ self-discipline’ is needed.
As percussionists, we have the ability to change the texture of the ensemble with our wide variety of sounds but remember we can also change the texture by not playing. Demonstrate your taste and restraint with the confidence that the decision to play less is certainly a valid musical decision.
8. KNOW THE WHY Everything you play should be done with a purpose. A mature musician should be able to explain the objective of their creative and interpretive choices.
9. KNOW YOUR ROLE Understand the importance of percussion and how it functions within the ensemble. Embrace the position and find the art in all you play. You might be the person who plays the least in the ensemble; make every note count!
Taken as a whole, these nine principles indicate the need to take a holistic approach to musicmaking. Be mindful of how your performance decisions( both sound and gestures) have an impact on the entire presentation of the music.
© 2025 Mark Shelton Productions / Percussion For Worship
Mark Shelton Mark Shelton is a freelance musician, educational consultant, and content creator based in Dallas / Fort Worth. Mark’ s percussion work has been heard with North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof Tango, Daystar Television, Gateway Worship, Stonebriar Church, Wichita Falls Orchestra, Victory Channel, Strata Big Band, TALEA, and Dallas Wind Symphony. www. marksheltonmusic. com www. percussionforworship. blogspot. com
110 July 2025 Subscribe for Free...