percussioninstructor

Hi everyone, If you live in the Austin area and are interested in marching corps this season, Austin Stars have percussion spots available in the battery and pit. We are an all ages corps, a fun group of people, and we all really want to field a competitive corps this year...that means we need you! If you are interested more info is available at austinstars.org, or email me directly at percussioninstructor@yahoo.com....see you on the field.

That's sad, it's a great activity, and it spotlights percussionists instead of pushing them to the back of a concert band setting for the spring. (Not saying concert experience isnt important either) but in general, percussionists have an inner "rock-star" that needs to be released...lol Las Vegas didnt have ANY indoor circuit until 2 years ago. The 'lines that had a show usually went to Cali to perform. It just takes a little time and the right people pushing for it. Where there is an interest, it will develop. I love indoor as well, and I wish was in exisistence when I went to high school!! All I got to do was outdoor standstill...ooo...exciting..

Ok sweet. Connally? Hey congrats on the BOA finish... You wouldnt happen to know if theres a percussion staff position open over there would ya?

Hey everyone, being from out of state I have a question. Is Indoor(WGI) percussion a big thing in Texas? I mean do a lot of schools do it? What other "winter" percussion activities happen out there?

I get that, but, isnt the whole point of competition to reward those who execute the design the best? Regardless of "artistic intent"? Maybe I'm just too much of an old schooler. lol Its like a football game where one team plays better, but the team who entertained the refs the best wins...

Basses...the LOUDEST instruments on the field! The program I teach had a thin year..only 35 winds so percussion blend and balance was a constant issue. I used 16, 20, 24, 26 with very small mallets. The bottom end was compensated in the pit with concert bass. Do you know how hard it is to have young bass players, play softly???

Mmmm...Delucias...those are those heavy sta-pac sticks huh...maybe a SF-4S...they're pretty bead heavy(good chop workout). Also, if you ARE looking for a good burn-out...see if you can find a "moon gel" pad(dont know if they make 'em anymore). They have like no rebound what so ever...you will feel it hardcore in no time at all...lol

Be sure to take PLENTY of time to warm-up properly(I'm sure you know this already)! Also take 5 mins afterwards to cool down: Play a single hand 8's exercise at a slow tempo, with good technique at varying heights. Soaking your hands and wrists in warm water(or heating pad) before and after helps to loosen up muscles/tendons/ligaments. Especially if you have "old man" hands like me !

FL Studio is a pain to write with! unless your writing...well obviously "techno" based music. Its all duple feel..maybe im retarded...or dont have the knowledge of the program...but just try to drop a triplet in a line of 8th notes...i cant do it...can you?

Someone in another topic asked: "How does GE score go up or down?" I replied: "Yeah...thats the $64,000 question aint it!! The BOA sheets weight GE as like 60% of the overall score i think...ugh...GE is all about creating "moments" both musically and visually to make the audience (and hopefully the judges) say "wow" or "oooo" and get that warm fuzzy feeling...Its a very subjective caption. One judge may love it...another may hate it...I dont think its quite as fair as BOA intended. The feeling I get; is that 60% of your score is based on a judges opinion...not necessarily how well the show was executed. So thats my rant about GE...I think ill start a new topic about it...cuz yeah...my program got hosed in GE this year...so im a little sore about it! LOL" Are there any staff members out there who know the formula for a decent GE score? have you had GE problems? comments? opinions?

Yeah...thats the $64,000 question aint it!! The BOA sheets weight GE as like 60% of the overall score i think...ugh...GE is all about creating "moments" both musically and visually to make the audience (and hopefully the judges) say "wow" or "oooo" and get that warm fuzzy feeling...Its a very subjective caption. One judge may love it...another may hate it...I dont think its quite as fair as BOA intended. The feeling I get; is that 60% of your score is based on a judges opinion...not necessarily how well the show was executed. So thats my rant about GE...I think ill start a new topic about it...cuz yeah...my program got hosed in GE this year...so im a little sore about it! LOL

Silverfox SF1001...easy to play like a Hardimon with a little more meat balanced toward the shoulder...great feel at all dynamics. Only drawback is the factory pitch matching is a little inconsistent at times....

Yeah, it's amazing how good Texas bands are. Even the mediocre ones are still good. You'll never see a Las Vegas band at Nats. I saw the UIL Region 18 contest back in '04 and was totally floored by some of those guys...Connally, LBJ, Lake Travis...like drum corps with a woodwind section...that be why Im moving...

Yep: www.silverfoxpercussion.com They dont have a wide variety of key mallets, just soft-thru-hard for marimba and vibe...but the hard marimbas work as a soft xylo..on the field anyway..

Silverfox key mallets have worked the best for me. They can stand up to the abuse of young percussionists.

I hate to be the "brand-basher", but sounds like most of you use Vic. Dont get me wrong..Vic has a HUGE selection, and some quite innovative designs but they just dont last. Case in point: 2 years ago I bought a pair of MS1 corpsmasters, that very day..I was demonstrating a snare part and hit a shot, and bang! the thing snapped off...not splintered...snapped. Since then I've been using Silverfox. Yeah they still wear out...but even with my young..love to HACK snareline..they last a good month to six weeks or more. The Silverfox keyboard mallets are great also...never had one unwind or break from "normal" usage. And NO..this is not a commercial! Just my so-called "professional" opinion.