An Introduction to Percussion Ensemble

Workshops for Teachers

I will introduce educators to this technique that I developed over twenty years of teaching students of all ages; but that I have in the past ten years focused on students between the ages of 6 and 18 years. Since my teaching position was at a school for the visually impaired, it led me to disregard any written material, leading me to rely on various oral traditions in drumming from all over the world. This system turned out to be very successful at conveying sophisticated rhythmical concepts in an entertaining and fun way.

Although I lay out the system in great detail, there are aspects that involve group dynamics, and that must be experienced “live”; the Workshop will stress that point by exploring both sides of the process: theory and practice.

Description:

Part 1, Theory:

• Explaining the relation between the “words” and the sounds.

• Laying out the philosophy behind the system

• Understanding the roles of polyrhythms in the development of the musical ear.

• Explaining how to broaden the experience of the student by using historical, geographical and scientific knowledge.

Part 2, Practice:

• Put the the participants of the workshop in place of the students and run a sample class.

• Show how the pace of the lesson is an important part in making the class successful.

• Explore how to approach the different skill levels that will manifest themselves in a group of students.

• General structure of a well-rounded class.

This workshop is aimed towards any educator who would like to teach introductory music group classes to those who do not necessarily have a prior knowledge of music reading. Of course, anyone who would pursue music would be very much encouraged to learn reading and music theory, but this course is dedicated to be either an introductory or complimentary one, where rhythmical fluency can be taught in a more relaxed approach.

Classes

The classes (while teaching the techniques played out in the book) are designed to move beyond the musical aspect and elevate students to other important topics as a side benefit. In the class I aim to convey the following skills and understanding:

• Develop rhythmic sense and control

• Develop listening 

• Emphasize the importance of cohesion

• Develop group dynamics and the respect for others.

• Discover various world cultural expressions

• Awaken the inquisitive mind to history

• Discover the science of sound

• Experience a sense of fulfillment in achieving the goals by performing arranged musical pieces

Here in detail is how these aims will be explored during the class:

Develop rhythmic sense and control:
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Barring any physical or psychological condition, every one has the ability to play rhythms. As I lay out the various parts, sound and rhythms become tied to each other by the group vocally intoning each part first. This 'tricks' the student to first concentrate on internalizing the rhythm before using the actual motor function of producing the sound by striking an instrument. Once this is achieved, the actual motor control replicates the tones in the learned order on an instrument.

Develop listening:

During the process of intoning and then playing the patterns, the student will be drawn to discovering the relation between the various parts. At the beginning, we’ll start with only two distinct patterns. The ear will be developed as the student realizes that each part relies on the other, and that in order to make the rhythmic patterns cohesive, he or she has to be aware of the other rhythmic patterns the other students are playing at the same time.

Emphasize the importance of cohesion:

By developing the ear, awareness of the need of the group to be cohesive and act in a coordinate manner becomes more and more obvious.

Develop group dynamics and the respect for others:

In a group of students there will be differences; not everyone will get the patterns or be able to coordinate as well as the others. But every individual in the group needs to be consistent in his or her performance in order to achieve musical cohesion. in other words, no one is allowed to be left behind, and students will be encouraged to engage and lend a hand and be patient in respecting others who may take a bit longer in internalizing the parts.

Discover various world cultural expression:

All the material taught in the class are representative of actual cultural expression. As we discover new styles, the student will be exposed to their individual context.

Awaken the inquisitive mind to history:

The evolution of polyrhythm styles have a long history, and in particular, their introduction to the Western world. As the Western world conquered new lands and brought slaves from the first world, these displaced peoples brought their culture along, and there are some very interesting historical and geographical facts to be explored in conjunction to the understanding of the various styles.

Discover the science of sound:

How is a sound produced? How do sounds propagate? How do we hear sounds? How did instruments become developed and spread all over the world? These are some of the topics that will lead to discussions during the class.

Experience a sense of fulfillment in achieving the goals by performing arranged musical pieces:

Music has to be shared; it has to be presented to an audience in order to motivate students to be working toward a goal. So at the end of the course, there will be a performance that would allow the students to present to others their accomplishments.

Finally, my goal as a teacher is to awaken curiosity and inquisitiveness, to make learning fun, and emphasize the connections between art and science. the vehicle I choose is the one I know best as a percussionist. My interests are broad and my goal is to stimulate each student's mind.