Percussion Instructor Audio/Video Chats

[extrikate]

Well, I'm officially a Google+er now.

[AddSomeBottom]

This is a killer idea. Still in college, but just got the job running my high school's line this summer. I'm going to need all the help I can get!

[billc36]

Is this still happening?

[dgaking]

Okay, everybody. It looks like a lot of people want to do this and use Google+. A lot of you added me on G+ already too. Let's get together this Sunday at 8PM. For this time of year, I was thinking that marching percussion techniques and exercises would be a good topic to start with. Hopefully, we will all walk away with some fresh ideas to get our drumlines started this summer.I will log onto G+ and set up the hangout around 7:45 to make sure all is working and give you guys a chance to find it. We'll get started at 8PM. I will facilitate discussion from 8-9 to keep us on task and make this productive for everybody involved. After that, people can keep chatting informally if they wish to do so, while people who have to leave can do so without feeling like they missed anything. If we feel like there is anything we really want to cover more, we can hit it at a meeting again in the future. I hope that this format will make it productive for everybody, but still relaxed and kind of fun.

If that sounds good to everyone, I'll see you all Sunday on G+. My G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/108743550222592491519/posts

[billc36]

8pm CST or EST?

[Buranri]

Okay, everybody. It looks like a lot of people want to do this and use Google+. A lot of you added me on G+ already too. Let's get together this Sunday at 8PM. For this time of year, I was thinking that marching percussion techniques and exercises would be a good topic to start with. Hopefully, we will all walk away with some fresh ideas to get our drumlines started this summer.I will log onto G+ and set up the hangout around 7:45 to make sure all is working and give you guys a chance to find it. We'll get started at 8PM. I will facilitate discussion from 8-9 to keep us on task and make this productive for everybody involved. After that, people can keep chatting informally if they wish to do so, while people who have to leave can do so without feeling like they missed anything. If we feel like there is anything we really want to cover more, we can hit it at a meeting again in the future. I hope that this format will make it productive for everybody, but still relaxed and kind of fun.

If that sounds good to everyone, I'll see you all Sunday on G+. My G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/108743550222592491519/posts

Did you figure out if there was a way to allow spectators into the chat? I'd still like to get in on this in some way, and I'm sure there are other high school students in a similar position.

[dgaking]

8pm CST or EST?

8 eastern.

Did you figure out if there was a way to allow spectators into the chat? I'd still like to get in on this in some way, and I'm sure there are other high school students in a similar position.

I think we can make that work.

[billc36]

In all honesty, I'd prefer if at least the first get together be out of high school instructors. Let us talk amongst our peers without the kids around. Let them join in on future talks.

This is new to us, so who knows what might happen.

[dgaking]

In all honesty, I'd prefer if at least the first get together be out of high school instructors. Let us talk amongst our peers without the kids around. Let them join in on future talks.

This is new to us, so who knows what might happen.

I am okay with that. I don't want people to feel overly hesitant because they wonder who is listening.

[doylejd]

Cool! I'll be there.

[dgaking]

Don't forget, tonight at 8PM ET on G+. I'll be on SS at that time too in case anybody needs help connecting.

[billc36]

I might be a few minutes late, but I'll be there.

[dlinebass5]

Hey guys, I've been teaching for a couple years now, so I'd love to get in on this. Just read about it now, so I'm obviously a little late to the party. With some recent health issues, I'm feeling pretty under the weather today, so I'm not sure how much I'd add to the discussion, but I'd definitely love to benefit from it. Is there any possbility of recording the session? Let me know either way, if you can. I'm definitely interested in this, not only now, but in the future. The instructors on this site are the only reason I peruse the forums, ever, and you've all really helped me see some things some different ways, and furthered my teaching ability.

[awakentosleep]

I have dinner plans with my girlfriend and her parents, so I probably won't make it on tonight. But I'll try to make it for the next one.

[dgaking]

We're online! Add me on G+ if you can't find it. https://plus.google.com/u/0/108743550222592491519/posts

[dgaking]

I took some notes from our first instructor chat to share with those who couldn't be there. This is kind of like playing a game of "telephone," so let me know if I accidentally put words in your mouth, and I will edit the post to fix it.

Present were Doug, Bill, James, and Derek.

On Technique and Exercises

Bill says K.I.S.S. Keep it simple. 8's, bucks, etc. Technique is based on the level of the kids each season.

James always starts with 8-8-16 and a swung variation of it. He does an exercise where he puts exercises in the context of a musical form like ABABAABB [edit], assigning a number of counts of a rudiment to each part of the form.

Doug mainly uses a wrist driven velocity stroke. His technique program centers around developing the basic stroke types (full, down, tap, up) as the foundation of all rudiments and musical possibilities on battery instruments.

Derek gives his students a condensed set of rudiments so that they can start with the most important ones. Most rudiments are derivatives of the core rudiments anyway. Doug added that mastering the basic skills and core rudiments and understanding how rudiments break down can help a student to play any piece of music they are handed in the future, even if it contains new hybrid rudiments that he/she has never seen before. James added that "rudiments are the words; the skills and strokes are the letters." Students must have a strong grasp on the skills, but also be able to apply the skills to reading and playing the rudiments and music that contains them.

We talked about how we like to study a variety of techniques outside of our own, such as Murray Gussek's techniques, Moeller, etc. These tend to be a little advanced for where our students should be, but principals from them can still help us play and teach better.

Resources mentioned were Murray Cussek's Santa Clara Vanguard 2004 DVD, Bill Bachman's books, drum corps technique packets, Jeff Queen's DVD "Playing with Sticks," and the DVD "Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer."

On Arranging

We talked about what kind of books we like and dislike, and the debate over writing simple music for achievement versus difficult music to challenge the students.

Bill really likes to challenge his lines with difficult music. Doug and James are concerned about the impact of the achievement level to students in certain demographics. If a group of kids isn't emotionally prepared to fail at accomplishing a challenge, then maybe they should be given a more achievable book.

Derek uses exercises from the beginning of the season that are designed to help the kids play the book better.

We talked about how the calendar of the season affects the book. In a short season, you can write an easier book for much of the show, and write a just a few difficult sections, especially for a percussion feature or section feature. In a long season, you can write a tougher book because you have more time to clean it.

On Indoor Drumline Electronics & Lighting

This was a little off topic for the night, but it was on everyone's minds after WGI last weekend. We talked about how lighting exploded on WGI this year, and in most cases it did not help a show. We felt that Gateway, Forsyth Central, and United Percussion were examples of shows that made the best use of it. Electronic sounds posed similar problems to lighting when they first came on the season, so we anticipate that designers and instructors will get better at using them in the future.

We discussed how the iPad is changing electronics. Performers can use it as a MIDI controller. Directors can use it to control sound and lighting remotely. Is it a good thing that directors can control so much of the show remotely? How much should be in the kids' hands?

We also discussed how electronics are being adjudicated and how they theoretically should be. In many shows, we hear things that we can't see, which makes you wonder how much of what you hear is really triggered. Are the performers musically engaged, or did a kid just hit the 'play' button? Groups shouldn't get credit for what the judges hear if the judges can't see it. We know that many judges work that way, but assume that there are those who do not.

This was a very interesting discussion. We are going to meet again next week at the same time (8PM ET). Next week's topic focus will be VISUAL!

[billc36]

Thanks again for hosting this Doug. It was a lot of fun.

[extrikate]

Sorry about my rapid exit during the discussion, I lost my internet connection. Thanks to Doug for coming up with the idea and organizing the whole thing.

[doylejd]

I agree with these guys Doug, I had a lot of fun. I learned a lot too!

The only edit to the notes is that the exercise form is ABABAABB, the same form Hugga Dugga Burr or Mission or any other old school exercise uses.

I also learned that I'm pretty terrible at communicating technical ideas verbally, so I'll have a practice pad and sticks set up next time.

[billc36]

I think I've figured out a way to do screen capture with audio. Can I get a few of you to be able to jump on at some point so I can test it?

[extrikate]

I think I've figured out a way to do screen capture with audio. Can I get a few of you to be able to jump on at some point so I can test it?

Let me know when you want to try it.

[billc36]

Any time. I'm on Google + now.

[dgaking]

Chat about all things visual! This Sunday, 8PM Eastern.

[doylejd]

My wife made plans with the in-laws so I will be late.

[dgaking]

We are live. Join us on G+. The link to my account is above if you didn't get an invite from me. PM me on SS or G+ if you need assistance.