Brass and Percussion Methods

MUS-2362-NJ01

Week 14

May 7-9

Exam: Thursday, May 16

1:30-3:30

• Handbooks due by beginning of exam time
• Percussion Mechanics Test
• Percussion Ensemble

Week 13

April 30, May 2

Due May 7

• 5/7 - Final Rudiment review - Latin Percussion
  5/9 - Rudiment tests, review for Mechanics test

Chapter 7

• Questions
  • What is "the timeline" in African music?
  • What is meant by "Afro-Cuban" music?
  • What do "Clave" and Timeline" have in common?
  • What are the 3 basic tones for Conga playing?
    

Week 12

April 23-25

Due April 30

• 4/30 - Drags, Rolls — Types of drums, sticks, Timpani
• 5/2 - Drags, Rolls - review paradiddles and flams, Percussion Ensemble parts

Chapter 5

• Questions:
  • Why is ear training important for playing the timpani?
  • List the sizes and ranges of common timpani.
  • Describe the order for tuning the timpani head with the tension rods.
  • Describe the "French grip".
  • What is a single stroke roll?

Week 11

April 16-18

Due April 23

• Be able to demonstrate proper stick holding
• Practice and be able to play P. 11-22 in Alfred's with correct sticking
• 4/23 - Review Paradiddles & Flams, Concert percussion equipment
• 4/25 - Drags and Rolls — Head repair, tuning

• Percussion observation due 4/25

Chapter 6

• Questions:
  • How should a bass drum be tuned?
  • What does a basic set of bass drum mallets consist of?
  • What are the 3 playing areas of a bass drum and what effect does each have?
  • What is the difference between crash cymbals and suspended cymbals?
  • How does one perform a roll on a suspended cymbal?
  • Describe how to hold a triangle.
  • What position should the jingles on a tambourine be?
  • Describe a tambourine "shake roll".
  • What is the difference between a Gong and a Tam tam?
  • Describe a Wood Block.
  • Describe Temple Blocks
  • Name and describe 5 less common percussion accessories.

Week 10

April 2-4

Due April 16

• Read Chapters 1, 2 (PDFs above)
  
  • Chap 1
    
    • Name & define the 5 classifications of instruments
      
    • What classification is a snare drum?
      
    • Write on a staff the standard drum set notation
      
    • Name 3 ways to motivate student percussionists
      
  • Chap 2
    
    • Name the 12 parts of a snare drum
      
    • Which is the batter head and which is the snare head?
      
    • Name the parts of a snare drum stick
      

Week 9

March 26-28

Due April 2

Scales tests either Thursday, March 28 or Tuesday, April 2:

• Chromatic scale ascending/descending 2 Octaves
  • F
• Major scales - all ascending/descending 1 octave
  • Bb
    
  • C
    
  • D
    
  • Eb
    
  • F
    
  • G
• Solo performed Tuesday, April 2

Week 8

March 19-21

Due March 26

• All assigned chapters of the Brass textbook must be submitted
  • SM
  • Observation Write ups
  • Trombone solos chosen and submitted for approval
  • Trombone slides cleaned and oiled
  • Practice
  • Solos - Test Tuesday, April 2
  • Scales: Chromatic (F-2 octaves), Major: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D - Tests either March 28 or April 2

Weeks 7

March 12-14

Due March 19

• Reading:
  
  • Chapter 14
    
    • What is the traditional makeup of an orchestral brass section?
      
    • Discuss a variety of problems involved with how brass sections can be seated
      
    • What are issues for conducting brass sections?
      
  • Appendix E
    
    • Use this appendix as a resource for your brass handbooks
      
• All History and Development papers for Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone Horn and Tuba - absolute deadline!
  
• SM tests
  
• Second Observation (low brass) due March 21
  
• Choose TB solo for approval by March 26
  
• Perform solos and scales on April 2
  
  • Be careful of positions and intonation (accurate positions)

Week 6

March 5-7

Due March 12

• Reading Responses:
  • Chapter 5 - Trombone
    
    • What does the bore size do?
      
    • What is an “F Attachment”?
      
    • How is a Bass trombone different from a Tenor (standard) trombone?
      
    • What is a lip trill? Why are they necessary on trombone?
• Memorize slide positions 1-6
• Do SM playing

Week 5

Feb. 19-21

(Due: March 5)

• Reading Responses:
  • Chapter 8 (Other brass)
    
    • What is the difference between Flugelhorn and Trumpet?
      
    • What are “historical” brass instruments? What makes them historical?
      
    • What is the difference between a trombone and a sackbut?
      
    • What is a cornetto?
• Trombone starts after break!
• Reminders:
  • Trombone paper due March 12
  • Low brass observation due March 19

Week 4

Feb. 12-14

Due Feb. 19

• Prepare to perform scales and solos
  
• SM assignments (African Marching Song)
  
• Hand in Observation write-ups (zero if not submitted by next Tuesday, 2/19 the latest)
  
• Read:
  
  • Chapter 4
    
    • What are the differences between a single and double horn?
      
    • Describe right hand position
      
    • What is a Wagner tuba
      
  • Chapter 6
    
    • Describe the structural difference between a baritone horn and euphonium
      
    • Describe the tone qualities of the baritone and euphonium
      
    • If the baritone horn is a bass clef instrument why are there sometimes parts in treble clef for it
      
  • Chapter 7
    
    • What are the 2 categories of tubas
      
    • What is the purpose of the additional valves

Week 3

Feb. 5-7

Due Feb. 12

**Choose and have your trumpet solo approved by Tuesday, Feb. 12**

**Write Instrument Papers**

**Complete Observation**

**Study for Test**

• Scales: C Major, Bb Major, D Major
  
• SM assignments
  
• Reading
  
  • Chapters 9-Historical Development
    
    • Use for papers
      
• Chapter 10 - Tone Production
  
  • Where does the breath start from?
    
  • How are neck and throat muscles used?
    
  • What are the 3 components of exhaling?
    
  • What are the 4 approaches to blowing outward?
    
  • Describe an effective embouchure
    
  • Describe procedures for playing higher…lower
    
  • What is the best way to increase range?
    
  • How does one develop a concept of sound?
    
• 13 - Instrument Care
  
  • Why is good care important?
    
  • What parts on a brass instrument need to be lubricated?
    
• Study for Mechanics quiz
• Complete 1st observation — submit write up
• Write brass paper
  
• Choose trumpet solo

Week 2

Jan. 29/31

Due 2/5

• Reading:
  
  • Chapter 2 - Mouthpieces
    
    • What are the 5 basic components of a mouthpiece and how do they each effect mouthpiece performance?
      
  • Chapter 3 - Trumpet and cornet
    
    • Why are there trumpets in so many keys?
      
    • What is the difference between a cornet and a trumpet?
      
    • What does a 4th valve do?
      
    • Which valve is the sharpest?
      
    • Which valve is somewhat sharp?
    • Which valve combination is the most sharp?
• Write Trumpet and Horn history and development papers
  
• Study for mechanics quiz (review questions in Google folder)
  
• SM assignments
  

Week 1

Jan. 22/24

Due 1/29

• Read Chapters 1, 11 and 12
  
  • Chap.1
    
    • Describe and trace the air flow and “acoustic energy” through a brass instrument
      
    • List the intervals of the first 5 notes of the harmonic series
      
    • Describe how valves work
      
  • Chap. 11
    
    • Describe basic playing positions for all brass instruments
      
  • Chap. 12
    
    • Make a checklist for instrument maintenance
      
    • Make a checklist of potential beginner brass problems/troubleshooting
      
    • What is “lip solfège” and what purpose does it serve?
• Begin trumpet practice!
  • Buzz on mouthpieces, play beginning notes
  • Do SM assignments