Tag: marching percussion

Learn the Parabuzzle Exercise!

James Christian

Here is a new snare drum exercise that utilizes the buzz, buzzle, parabuzzle, and several variations.

Click “Read More” to watch the video and download the sheet music.

Here is a new snare drum exercise that utilizes the buzz, buzzle, parabuzzle, and several variations. Watch the video to learn the exercise.

You can download the sheet music below. A full transcript of the video follows.

Click on the image to enlarge or click here to download in PDF format.

TRANSCRIPT

Introduction

Hello, everyone. This is James Christian with Read more “Learn the Parabuzzle Exercise!”

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!

The Resonance Spectrum (includes Two Snare Drum Etudes)

James Christian

Resonance is a big buzzword in percussion today. Unfortunately, it is often discussed as if there is only one proper style and technique to achieve it. In the process, a great deal of music is ignored. Today I want to dismantle it a bit and show that there is a full spectrum of resonance. On one end, you have crisp, articulate playing. On the other end, you have open, resonant playing. Both approaches are necessary for different musical situations. This video showcases two snare drum etudes played with different approaches to demonstrate the variety of techniques.

You can download the etudes for your own enjoyment below. Read more “The Resonance Spectrum (includes Two Snare Drum Etudes)”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, part 7 of 7: Beyond the Basics

James Christian

The final installment is here:  today we go beyond the basics of multi-tenor drumming!  So far, we have covered the essential skills every tenor drummer should know. Now I bring you more advanced concepts that are sure to Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, part 7 of 7: Beyond the Basics”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, part 6 of 7: Cool Stuff You Should Know

James Christian

When I released the first video in this marching tenor drums series, I gave a broad overview of what each video would cover.  I listed video #6 as “Essential Vocabulary.”  But honestly, doesn’t “Cool Stuff You Should Know” have a better ring to it?  Either way, this lesson covers the essential tenor vocabulary not previously covered.  After watching this, you will Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, part 6 of 7: Cool Stuff You Should Know”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 5 of 7: Sweeps & Scrapes

James Christian

It’s time to work on sweeps and scrapes! Check out the newest video:

 

Sweeps, scrapes, split doubles–whatever you prefer to call them, this video breaks them down in detail.  You’ll find a lot here. Learn the differences between adjacent sweeps, non-adjacent sweeps, spock sweeps, outward sweeps, inward sweeps, and push-pull sweeps.  A full transcript of the video is below, along with links to the solos mentioned.

I would really, really like to hear your feedback on this particular video.  I think the terminology descriptions have the potential to revolutionize the Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 5 of 7: Sweeps & Scrapes”