Sound Percussion: Mallet Book
Written by Dave Black and Chris Bernotas, the authors’ passion for education and a deep belief in the importance of music for students of all ages is at the heart of Sound Percussion.
View Author BiosMallet note reading and performance are approached in a unique and revolutionary way that won’t overwhelm students with too much, too soon. Starting with Sound Rhythm: Level 1, students will learn only two to three notes at a time, each reinforced with interesting and engaging exercises. New notes will be systematically introduced and similarly reinforced, keeping students motivated while achieving retention. Once all the notes of each included scale have been taught and reinforced, the full scale will be presented in its common form for further practice and understanding.
Shop NowCreate better understanding with solid pedagogy, and a clean and uncluttered page layout.
View Sample PagesThe Your Instrument section explains many of the different mallet instruments, their parts, setup, mallet selection, playing position, and more.
SmartMusic connects you and your students through the web. Send assignments to your students using the material in Sound Percussion. Students receive immediate feedback as they practice each assignment, and the best performances are sent back to you to provide assessment.
In the Sound Rhythm section, new rhythms are introduced in unison (when appropriate), using notes that have already been learned. The isolation of the new concepts will ensure comprehension. Plenty of skill support is provided in the Sound Reinforcement sections immediately following each new concept.
While those playing snare drum focus on the more advanced rudiments in the Sound Rudiments section, mallet players will learn how to apply and experiment with sticking patterns. Their focus is to find patterns that allow for the most musical and comfortable performance of their parts while supporting the rudimental study.
The Sound Meters section introduces meters starting with simple duple meters first, followed by compound meters, then asymmetrical meters, helping students become prepared and confident for the last level that features changing meters.
Sound Percussion comes with free access to streaming MasterClass videos, audio and video play-along tracks, and supplemental worksheets on SI Online. No CDs or DVDs to lose! Your students can practice anywhere with internet access, a practice pad, and sticks!. Full performance videos include a quad screen of all five instruments with both wide-screen and close-up shots for detailed examination of performance techniques. Many of the Sound Combination exercises feature videos that include only timpani and mallets so your students can become part of the percussion ensemble and learn part independence.
Sound Percussion's comprehensive mallet approach introduces students to both two- and four-mallet rolls in the Sound Rolls section. Clear illustrations and video demonstrations are provided to aid in better comprehension.
Students are introduced to sound effects such as glissandos, tremolo effects, pitch bends, and more in the Sound Effects section.
In order to aid in better comprehension, enharmonics and chromatic examples are presented in a clear and understandable way with reinforcement exercises immediately following.
The Sound Performance section provides an introduction to full-length percussion ensemble music. An arrangement of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and an original piece, “Engage,” are included for students to apply all they have learned in a fun and exciting way.
