Percussion Flashcards
Style in which ride and high hat take the leading roles.
Swing
Style in which the bass drum dominates often in dotted rhythms with strong snare on beat 2.
Latin
Style in which the bass drum dominates and the snare takes a secondary role.
Rock
Which cymbal is most frequently used as a time keeper or to drive rhythms? Used to define the beat pattern.
Ride
Which cymbal is most frequently used to establish a back beat?
High Hat
Which cymbal is used to highlight important moments or used to punctuate special moments?
Crash Cymbal
Style in which the subdivision beats fall primarily as triplets.
Swing
Style in which the subdivision of the beat falls primarily as the eighth notes with dotted rhythms.
Latin
Style in which the subdivision beats fall primarily as eighth notes in straight time.
Rock
Cymbal that is usually larger, thicker, and has more ring.
Ride
Two cymbals that have a greater variety of sound, operated by the foot and found in pairs.
High Hat
How do you achieve a light and/or feathered sound on the bass drum?
Keep heel down, use less power and less volume.
Cymbal that is smaller, thinner, and has less ring?
Crash
Which cymbals are used in a standard drum set and what are their functions?
- Ride (Time Keeper)
- Crash (Accentuator)
- High Hat (Back Beat)
What are three common problems for beginning drummers when it comes to playing a fill?
- Try to get too fancy.
- Lose tempo of the selection
- Do not have a clear idea of the subdivision of the selection
Define the term “fill”
It is a musical idea on the drum set which connects the following section -or- short solo leading into a set-up or new section of music.
3 reasons why the drummer many times is asked NOT to play “solid” quarter notes on the bass drum for jazz/swing tunes.
- Creates too heavy a style.
- Has a tendency to conflict with the bass line.
- Can cover the bass line.
Standard or necessary parts of a 5-piece drum set.
- Bass
- Snare
- Floor Tom
- Mounted Tom
- Cymbals
Define how the bass drum is used in
1. Rock
2. Jazz
3. Latin
Rock: Beats 1 and 3, heavy, greater percentage and amp; time keeper.
Jazz: Light/feathered, small percentage and used for punctuation of figures in jazz.
Latin: Bass dominates often in dotted rhythm with strong snare on beat 2.
Define “comping”
Tastefully accompany or compliment the ensemble playing.
Define “kick” as used by a jazz drummer
Usually reserved for the shout chorus and often during large tutti ensemble playing.
Supports full ensemble rhythmic figures, snare short notes, bass long notes.
As a jazz drummer, how should you approach an under-written set part? (3)
- Find the shout choruses and the ensemble hits.
- Make sure you know the style of music.
- Know which sections are playing at what time throughout the selection.
How do you approach an over-written part? (3)
- Simplify; keep integrity intact.
- Cover basics of style.
- Use as a roadmap.
What is an over-written drum set part?
A part where every rhythm and every fill is notated.
What is an under-written drum set part?
A part that consists of mostly slash marks throughout.
Define “set-up”
Simple rhythmic pattern before ensemble entrance (helps the band come in together).
Student is playing a roll on snare drum that is very uneven. What are the most likely causes?
Student has more tension in one hand than the other.
What are 4 true statements about the full stroke for snare drum?
- Stroke should be consistent no matter which hand.
- Stroke is straight up and down.
- Fingers and wrist should be relaxed.
4.Height of the stroke may be adjusted.
What are 5 possible causes of a very uneven snare drum roll?
- Pressure on sticks is different in each hand.
- Fulcrum of each stick is at a different place.
- Sticks are not hitting in the same spot on the drum head.
- One stick is being raised higher that the other.
- Dominant hand is overshadowing the other hand.
Common range of the 32’’ timpani
D below the staff to A (1st space)
Common range of the 29’’ timpani
F below the staff to C (2nd space)
Common range of the 26’’ timpani
Bb (2nd line) to F (4th line)
Common range of the 23’’ timpani
D (3rd line) to A (5th line)
What are the 6 possible causes for uneven sticking on the timpani?
- The grips are not formed the same in each hand.
- The sticks are not held at the same height above the head.
- The sticks are not striking the same spot on the head.
- There is a one hand dominance over the other hand.
- The tuning around the head is inconsistent.
- All the above.
Describe the American timpani grip
Thumbs neither on top or the side (halfway-in-between). Palms neither perpendicular or parallel to the head of the instrument.
Describe the French timpani grip
Palms facing each other- perpendicular to head.
Thumbs on top of the sticks.
Describe the German timpani grip
Palms down- parallel to the head of the instrument. Thumbs on the sides of the sticks-facing each other.
Standard set of four timpani includes
32’‘-29’‘-26’‘-23’’
When learning to tune timpani, what is the first and most important skill to practice?
Sing and match the given pitch
Name two reasons why it is important to learn to sing and recognize intervals when playing the timpani.
- It is necessary to make sure the timpani are in tune with each other.
- It is necessary to make pitch changes during the playing of a song.
Ideally, where would a pitch tuned on the timpani sound its best?
Middle range of the drum
What type of roll should you use when playing the timpani?
Single bounce roll
When is it preferable to use double sticking vs. cross sticking on timpani?
When the tempo is too fast to use cross-sticking
Where is the best beating spot located on the timpani?
3-4 inches from the rim of the drum with sticks in the same spot
If you are playing a roll on the lowest pitch on one timpani, should the roll be faster, slower, or the same speed as the highest pitch on the same timpani head?
Slower
If you are playing a roll on a 23’’ drum, should the roll be faster, slower or the same speed as a roll on a 32’’ drum?
Faster
