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

May 25, 2021July 29, 2023 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:

The Percussion Circle – Issue #3

April 13, 2021July 29, 2023 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:

The Percussion Circle – Issue #2

January 6, 2021July 29, 2023 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:

Percussion Magazine: The Percussion Circle – Issue #1

October 13, 2020July 29, 2023 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”

“Auld Lang Syne” for Marimba Vibraphone, or Xylophone

December 18, 2019July 29, 2023 James Christian

Enjoy the holidays with a short four-mallet keyboard percussion solo. It can be performed on marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone.

To celebrate the New Year, we often hear people sing the traditional Scottish folk tune “Auld Lang Syne.” What better way to commemorate the occasion than with a new four-mallet arrangement for marimba? (It can also be played on xylophone or vibraphone by taking it up an octave.) The sheet music can be downloaded at the link below.

The primary techniques utilized are double vertical strokes and single independent strokes. Additionally, a few simple rolls are used throughout. This arrangement is loosely inspired by Charles Grobe’s Melodies of the People: New Variations on Old Tunes No. 7—”Auld Lang Syne” with Brilliant Variations, Op. 412, published in 1854.

Enjoy! Happy New Year!

Audio only:

2-Mallet Keyboard Exercise: Double Diminished Double Stops

March 22, 2017 James Christian

Double Diminished Double Stops, page 1 — **Double Diminished Double Stops**
*Click on the images to enlarge…*

Double Diminished Double Stops, page 2 — *…or click here to download in PDF format.*

This exercise for two-mallet keyboard percussion utilizes double stops with a diminished 7th chord (also known as double diminished). Starting with A, the pattern cycles through all 12 keys, going up by a half step each time.

The goal of this exercise is to build fluidity of movement with double stops around the keyboard. You start by playing three repetitions on each interval, then two, then one. These patterns cycle through 18/8, 12/8, and 6/8 time signatures, respectively.

With all double stops, be careful to strike both notes together. As you get faster, I would recommend striking the upper manual bars on the edge, instead of the center. Strive for accuracy and consistent sound. Stay relaxed, and let the stroke come from the wrists.

As you get more comfortable with this exercise, it can be a good endurance builder. Don’t slow down on the 6/8 measures! Keep a steady pulse throughout the exercise. A metronome will be invaluable for keeping tempo. For added endurance, repeat several times.

Have fun with this one!

2-Mallet Keyboard Exercise: Double Stops Builder

March 12, 2017March 13, 2017 James Christian

The term double stops refers to striking two mallets at the same time. They are an incredibly important skill to develop and master, and this exercise is a useful tool for practicing them.

In addition to having good double stop quality, it’s also important to transition smoothly between the upper and lower manuals. In 16 measures, this exercise covers every possible configuration.

The breakdown is as follows:

Measures 1-4: accents with both hands on lower manual
Measures 5-8: accents with both hands on upper manual
Measures 9-12: accents with left hand on upper manual & right hand on lower manual
Measures 13-16: accents with left hand on lower manual & right hand on upper manual

Within each of these four-measure sets, the non-accented notes (the “inner beats”) follow this configuration:

Measure 1: both hands on lower manual
Measure 2: left hand on upper manual, right hand on lower manual
Measure 3: left hand on lower manual, right hand on upper manual
Measure 4: both hands on upper manual

When playing this exercise, focus on distinct accents and clear (but softer) “inner beats.” Make sure the double stops strike at exactly the same time. Each interval should have a clear, blended sound.

Have fun with this exercise!

I also have to point out that this is the 50th post on Rudimental University! Woo hoo!!!

Three Ways to Use Tempo When Practicing Music

March 1, 2017July 29, 2023 James Christian

Struggling with speed, accuracy, or pulse? James describes three ways you can use different tempos to maximize your practice sessions. The following is a transcript of the video above (slightly reworded for readability):

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Hello, everyone. This is James Christian with RudimentalUniversity.com. Today I would like to talk about three different ways you can use tempo to help you when practicing a piece of music.

I’ve been thinking about this topic for a while, and this last week several ideas came together. I Read more “Three Ways to Use Tempo When Practicing Music”

2-Mallet Keyboard Exercise: Singles Speed Builder

February 2, 2017February 1, 2017 James Christian

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

This short exercise is a good chop builder for keyboard percussion. It focuses on short spurts (which builds speed), and its length allows for numerous repetitions (which builds endurance). I came up with this exercise several years ago when I was trying to help a student build their two-mallet speed. I didn’t expect it to be so popular, but my students have enjoyed playing it ever since. It’s fairly catchy, and the simplicity of its structure makes it easy to learn. I have seen firsthand that the students who practice it regularly achieve good results.

When first learning this exercise, take it slowly until you can strike each note with 100% accuracy. It is short enough to memorize fairly easily. Remember that the key to speed is staying relaxed! Of course, you have to push your muscles in order to build endurance, but you must push them with good technique. Don’t let the speed create a sense of uncontrolled frenzy. Don’t lock your arms or wrists. Stay relaxed, yet keep your sound intensely focused. Strive for consistent strokes, so that you achieve clean execution and articulation.

Enjoy playing! I hope you notice significant improvement in your singles quality and speed.

2-Mallet Keyboard Exercise: 12 Bucks (two versions!)

January 19, 2017January 22, 2017 James Christian

Doubles Version

*…or click here to download in PDF format.*

Singles Version

Today you get a double dose of exercises! Both versions cycle through the circle of fifths and utilize a thirds pattern, but the first version uses double strokes, and the second version uses single strokes. Both are valuable to learn, and both work important skills.

As mentioned a few days ago, all the exercises this week can be played individually or together as a full drum line. The snare part is similar to the common “Bucks” exercise, and the keyboard part cycles through 12 keys. Thus the exercise is called “12 Bucks.”

If you don’t know your scales and/or the circle of fifths very well, the main challenge on this exercise will be to switch between keys so quickly. I would recommend starting with the doubles version. You can initially learn it without the double strokes, and the technical demands will be slightly easier. It really is a great exercise for helping you know the circle of fifths intimately.

Once you get the notes down, you can add in the doubles. Then you can learn the slightly more challenging singles version. When playing doubles, make sure both notes are of equal volume. (Don’t “drop” the second note of the doubles.) When playing singles, make sure you don’t add accents when they aren’t written. With everything you play, work toward smooth, evenly spaced notes.

For more seasoned players, you may want to take the same exercises and play them with natural minor, harmonic minor, melodic minor, and/or other scale combinations.

Enjoy!