Tag: cymbals

The Percussion Circle – Issue #4: All Paradiddle Issue!

James Christian

 

Paradiddles abound in issue #4! Scroll down to read.

This is our summer issue, and it’s all about the paradiddles! As always, the music and articles are free to print and copy. (If you missed previous issues, you can read them here.)

In this issue, every article contains exercises—all centered around the paradiddle family—that can be played individually or as an entire drum line. If you practice diligently, you’ll find that these doing a great job of building your coordination and chops. These would be great for your entire section to practice during the summer.

Be sure to share this issue with students, percussion teachers, and anyone you know who might find it helpful. Enjoy!

Here is issue #4 of The Percussion Circle:

Read more “The Percussion Circle – Issue #4: All Paradiddle Issue!”

The Percussion Circle – Issue #3

James Christian

Spring percussion is in the air!
     The Percussion Circle #3 is in your care.
Enjoy music for marimba and snare;
     If you like it, be sure to share!

It’s our spring percussion issue! (Read previous issues here.) We have some great articles, exercises, and music prepared for you—with some new twists. As always, the music and articles are free to print and copy. Be sure to spread the word far and wide. Share it with students, friends, music teachers, and fellow percussionists!

Please let us know your thoughts on this issue, and don’t forget to order your t-shirt of this issue’s cover! Enjoy!

Here is issue #3 of The Percussion Circle:

Read more “The Percussion Circle – Issue #3”

The Percussion Circle – Issue #2

James Christian1 Comment

 

The second issue of The Percussion Circle is here! (If you missed issue #1, check it out here.) As always, this is free to copy and print. Please share with students, friends, and complete strangers. (Trust us. They’ll appreciate it.) Check out the “Name the Letter Column Contest.” Be sure to order your t-shirt of this issue’s cover. And write to us and let us know what you like, what we can improve, and what you’d like to see in the future.

Last but not least, we wish you a very happy New Year!

Here is issue #2 of The Percussion Circle:

Read more “The Percussion Circle – Issue #2”

Percussion Magazine: The Percussion Circle – Issue #1

James Christian2 Comments

We have been promising some big things for a while now. Well, this one is pretty exciting! We are now regularly publishing a percussion magazine. Allow us to introduce… (drum roll, please)… The Percussion Circle!

Each issue is full of sheet music, exercises, practice tips, contests, and more! This magazine is being released completely free to the entire percussion world. It is especially designed as a resource for percussion instructors and their students, but there is enough material to keep any percussionist happy for many hours.

Videos of the exercises in the articles will gradually be released after publication, so check back frequently. Better yet, subscribe to our e-mail list and follow our social media channels to make sure you never miss any updates.

To view the magazine in full screen, use the viewer below. Click on the square in the bottom right corner. You can zoom in and out from there. You can also print copies for your convenience. (This feature is currently only available on Chrome browsers. We are looking to expand this option.)

Finally, we want to give a special thank you to Keiser Southern Music and HingeStix for their efforts in making this first issue possible. Please show them some appreciation and visit their sites. (If you want to advertise with us, send an e-mail to advertise@rudimentaluniversity.com, and we will send you the details.)

Without further ado, here is the very first issue of The Percussion Circle: Read more “Percussion Magazine: The Percussion Circle – Issue #1”

Cobalt – Drum Line Cadence

James Christian

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #5

Here is the fifth and final cadence as promised!

Click “Read More” to listen and download!

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #5

Today is the fifth and final day of Cadence Week! Enjoy!

Cobalt cadence 1st page


Difficulty: 4.0 – This cadence has a laid-back funk groove spiced up with a lot of rolls and other rudiments. It will require some decent chops, but if you’ve got ’em, audiences will enjoy watching you strut!

Click here to download the score and individual parts.

Read more “Cobalt – Drum Line Cadence”

Starfish – Drum Line Cadence

James Christian1 Comment

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #4

The fourth day of Cadence Week!

Click “Read More” to listen and download!

 

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #4

Today is the fourth day of Cadence Week! Enjoy!

Starfish cadence 1st page

 

Difficulty: 1.5 – This is a fairly simple and catchy cadence that utilizes 16th note rhythms, single strokes, double strokes, and paradiddles. It can serve a younger ensemble by incorporating basic rudiments into their playing, or it can serve as an easy drum line cadence for a more experienced group.

Click here to download the score and individual parts.

Nebula – Drum Line Cadence

James Christian

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #3

The third day of Cadence Week!

Click “Read More” to listen and download!

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #3

Today is the third day of Cadence Week! Enjoy!

Nebula cadence 1st page


Difficulty: 3.5 – “Nebula” is a driving, upbeat cadence with a lot of energy. The fast tempo provides a challenge, but it should be quite attainable for an intermediate level group. Instrumentation: snare drums, multi-tenor drums (quint-toms), bass drums (4 or 5), cymbals.

Click here to download the score and individual parts.

B.O.A.T.S. (based on a true story) – Drum Line Cadence

James Christian

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #2

The second day of Cadence Week!

Click “Read More” to listen and download!

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #2

Today is the second day of Cadence Week! Enjoy!

B.O.A.T.S. cadence 1st page

 

Difficulty: 1.5 – The cadence’s title “B.O.A.T.S.” stands for Based On A True Story. (You’ll have to guess what the story is!) It’s a fairly simple groove, and it focuses on ensemble interplay. This would be great for a young drum line that wants to grow as an ensemble—or for a more experienced drum line that wants something catchy they can learn quickly.

Click here to download the score and individual parts.

To access all of the cadences, go here: https://www.rudimentaluniversity.com/drum-line-cadences/ Check back daily for the new additions!

A.D.M. – Drum Line Cadence

James Christian

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #1

Today is the first day of Cadence Week! Each day we will be posting a new cadence. Here’s the first one.

Click “Read More” to listen and download!

CADENCE WEEK, DAY #1

Today is the first day of Cadence Week! Each day we will be posting a new cadence. Here’s the first one. Enjoy!

 

Difficulty: 1.0 – The cadence’s title “A.D.M.” stands for Acoustic Dance Music — in contrast to E.D.M. (Electronic Dance Music). The rhythms are inspired by something you might hear in E.D.M., except everything is performed acoustically on drum line instruments. The cadence is intended for younger developing groups or as something simple for more advanced groups to learn quickly. Whatever level your group can perform, it’s fun to play and hear!

Click here to download the score as a PDF, and click here to download individual parts.

To access all of the cadences, go here: https://www.rudimentaluniversity.com/drum-line-cadences/ Check back daily for the new additions!

Holiday Percussion: “The Nutcracker” & “Frosty the Snowman” (University of North Texas)

James Christian

All this week, we are featuring percussion arrangements of Christmas and holiday music.  These two performances by the drum line and percussion ensembles at the University of North Texas are from a December 2016 concert.  Enjoy music from “The Nutcracker” and “Frosty the Snowman.”