8/10/04 - Reminder! Rehearsal, tomorrow, 8/11 from 6:30 - 9:00. Battery percussion only. See you there. . . Jim C
6/16/04 - A schedule was sent to Mr. B. To remind you of it, here it is again:
Monday, July 12th
Bass drums: 2:30 – 5:30
5:30 – 6:30 – Bass drums eat dinner
Full Battery (snares, quints, bass, cym, no pit): 6:30 – 9:00
Monday, July 19th
Bass drums: 2:30 – 5:30
5:30 – 6:30 – Bass drums eat dinner
Full Battery (snares, quints, bass, cym, no pit): 6:30 – 9:00
Wednesday, July 28th
Bass drums: 2:30 – 5:30
5:30 – 6:30 – Bass drums eat dinner
Full Battery (snares, quints, bass, cym, no pit): 6:30 – 9:00
If you can't make a rehearsal, please call myself or Terry or email us (per addresses below)
News: 5/2/04 - Keep checking this page, as we will be posting the new field warm-up very shortly. Keep practicing!..
News: (4/7/04) - First, please send your email addresses to jimc@nycap.rr.com and mryan4@nycap.rr.com. This will make communication with you easier. Second, we will have our next rehearsal on Saturday, May 8th at 1:00. We will be doing individual auditions with many of you. We would really like to "set" the line after this rehearsal. I will be contacting Josh and Jared about coming early or staying late to go over the drum solo. All of you that have a chart, please practice it until you get it. Also, we will be learning some new warm up exercises, and I will let you know when they are available for download. That's it for now. Don't forget to send those email addresses! Keep working your chops!. . . .
News: (3/21/04) - The drum break for Channel One Suite is completed in a rough draft form. There will be modifications as we fit it to the actual music chart. Terry will be posting the drum charts under the "music" link. You can print the chart directly from there. Also, there will be an audio file of the snare part for you to download. Listen to it a bunch of times before you play along with it.
Notes:
*You'll need to be able to play drags, tap fives, sixes, stutters, backsticking, etc. If you can play through page 2 of the exercises, this should not be a problem.
*The two best players of the quint part will earn the spots in the line. You should put the drums on and practice 16th note triplet patterns around the drums, in addition to 16th note patterns.
*We will be posting a rehearsal schedule shortly, so please learn as much of this as you can before we get back together.
*If you work hard now, there will be less pressure on everyone in the summer months!
Talk to you soon!
MISSION: To develop students into percussionists that take pride in their equipment and talent, believe in teamwork and support of others, have motivation to succeed, develop leadership, self-esteem, values and respect for themselves and the Mohonasen Band Program.
EXERCISES:
Practice at all sticking levels
Start slow, then build up speed
Control the rebound at all times
Play dynamically ( soft, loud, crescendo, decrescendo, etc...)
GRIP DESCRIPTION: (Since the line plays matched grip, the following description applies to both hands). Grip the stick between the thumb and 2nd joint of the index finger. You'll know your index finger is in the correct spot if you pull your thumb away from the stick and can still hold the stick. The thumb is flat on the stick, not sticking up or slipping off. There is no gap between the thumb and first finger. The other fingers wrap around the stick. The back fingers do not put pressure on the stick, but they also do not let go of the stick. The butt end of the stick should lie in the middle of the side of your hand. Hold the stick where it will bounce freely off the head - if you choke up too far, or hold it too far back, the stick will not bounce correctly. The wrist is straight (not pushed out or bent in) and moves straight up and down. The wrist is also flat to the ground, not tilted (you should be able to balance a pencil on your "flat" wrist). Now, while holding your sticks, put both hands down at your sides, relaxing them. Then, bring them up to the drum head. The sticks should form nearly a 90 degree angle. There will be a slight downward angle. Stick beads should be a "fingers width" apart from each other, and a "fingers width" above the head. This is the "set position." Always control the rebound to the set position.
LEVEL DEFINITIONS:
0 = set position
1 = 1.5 inches
2 = 3.5 inches (inner beat height)
3 = 5 inches (16th note roll height)
4 = 8 inches (regular stroke height)
5 = 12 inches (accent height)
PRACTICE:
Get into a routine and make yourself better. Don't let your line-mates down by not doing your part. You are musical athletes. If everyone practices, the line will be better than last year.
