Percussionists ROCK

Welcome to my world............

I have played so many percussion items in both orchestras, bands and ensembles that I could not list them all but here is a selection of the stuff that I consider as mastered..Wanna hear them all ?

By the way, listen to the best funky song ever written:

Drums
No need to give any explanation here. This one we all know. You keep the beat lead and create some heat in the groove.... I started at 10 and I think my parents still regret this :-)

Listen to this

Marimba
To make this instrument sing is magical. Truly my favourite of the percussion family, this instrument rocks. If you can find a marimba with a low note that growls, then you have made it...

Listen to a short concerto for Marimba

We all know this one:

Timpani
To make you feel like a real percussionist, hit them real loud, but dont break the skins. Timps always beef up the music, and if you're tuning is wrong, blame the drums.

Congas
Mastering these is art in itself. After several bruised hands in the beginning and a teacher warning me for severe damage in my wrists it paid off.... Cubans eat your heart out. Hear a great riff

Vibraphone
The coolest swingin' instrument. The Vibes sound best played with an attitude, in a smoky jazz lounge, or with a mystical expression on your face, for crazy atmosphere music. Just dont electrocute yourself.

Triangle
ALWAYS repect a triangle player, because you never know when she might throw a bass drum mallet in your tuba. The triangle rocks, and can get a real funky groove going.

Don't believe me ? Listen to the driving sound in Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street"

Bass Drum
Contrary to popular belief, you cannot hide in a bass drum. Bass drums make great substitue cannons in the 1812 Overture, and must be played with a mean look on your face.

Cymbals
Play them loud, and with a lot of wind. Whenever you play cymbals, make sure your music is pegged to your stand so it doesn't blow away in the excitement of it all