Free Drumline Exercises and Percussion Etudes

With PASIC about to start (see the PASIC Schedule), it seemed right to make something available that would benefit all percussionists, not just the marching or drumset crowd. This month the free percussion etudes examine basic rhythms and timing.

These etudes/exercises are dependent on good timing, so use your metronome!

The first set of etudes, Rhythm Studies, has the very basic 16th note patterns you should know. There’s also a version of the traditional drumline exercise “Hup-Dup” thrown in at the bottom since there was room.

Rhythm Studies

• Sheet Music, pdf

The second exercise, Chronos (it’s Greek), works on your transitions between eighth-notes, triplets, and sixteenth-notes. Again, use your metronome if you wish to gain anything from a timing etude. Chronos could easily be converted into a drumline exercise, if you wanted.

Chronos, a timing exercise

• Sheet Music, pdf

Quickly find DCI Audition Info or WGI Audition Info by visiting the websites below.

The Drum Corps International website has an audition resource page. Look for the Audition Dates tab to see a list of corps and their location. Click the corps name to see the audition dates and a link to the corps website.

• DCI Audition Info Page (click the Audition Dates tab)

Winter Guard International’s website has an audition page, but you need to click on each tab to see all the classes - PIW, PIO, PIA. There’s also a drop-down option to filter by state if you don’t want to search through all the results.

• WGI Audition Info Page (click all tabs - PIW, PIO, PIA)

Follow the list below to prep for your audition. In-between each of these steps, practice. Always use a metronome when you practice.

1. Get audition info from the group’s website including an audition contact email address
2. Register for an audition (if you’re asked to)
3. Download or request or buy the audition packet
4. Put the audition music in a 3-ring binder using plastic “presentation” sleeves
5. At this point, email your contact and ask any questions you have
6. Buy any sticks, mallets, or other equipment you need for camp
7. Start to focus your practice time on the stuff that’s most difficult
8. Pack your things for the audition (make sure your name is on everything)
9. Ask and get answers to any remaining questions before you leave
10. Good luck! Have fun!

The complex component rhythms of paradiddle-diddles require a fair amount of coordination. You can learn that coordination by slowing things down and building up the rudiment one piece at a time. Paradiddle-diddle Builder shows you how.

Start slow and be sure to use a metronome. In the beginning, try to play all the notes at the same volume and focus on timing and placement while maintaining a smooth, legato flow.

There’s a small bonus along with this free drumline sheet music. The second staff is empty if you’d like to add a tenor, bass, or any other part to play along. Enjoy.

Paradiddle-Diddle Builder

• Sheet Music, pdf

If you’re already up to speed with paradiddle-diddles, be sure to go back and check out Groove Asana from earlier in the year.

The fall marching band season is well underway and there’s a few places online where you can find marching band scores. If you don’t see your maching band association below, try searching for the host high school’s website for your marching band show results and recaps.

National

• Music for All / Bands of America (BOA) (requires login)
• USSBA (YEA) Scores
• MarchingArts.com
• Marching.com

Eastern

• Tournament of Bands Scores
• New York State Field Band Conference
• Cavalcade of Bands Scores
• USSBA (YEA) Scores
• Lakeshore Marching Band Association
• New England Scholastic Band Association
• South Carolina Band Link
• Florida Marching Band Coalition

Central

• Midwest Marching
• Marching.com
• Michigan Competing Band Association
• Illinois Marching Online Scores
• Indiana Marching Scores (requires login)
• Kentucky Marching Band Scores
• Oklahoma Band Central Results
• ISSMA Results

Western

• SCSBOA (CA)
• Western Band Association

If there’s a marching band organization or association missing from this list, please post a quick comment of what should be added and where they post their online marching band scores, results, or recaps.

There’s a good amount of video available now from the 2008 Drum Corps International season. These DCI 2008 videos are from various drum manufacturers.

Vic Firth continues to present some of the best drumline videos anywhere. Check out Cadets, Vanguard (SCV), Blue Stars, Blue Knights, Boston Crusaders, Madison Scouts, Crossmen, Colts, Pacific Crest, Academy, and Mandarins.

Innovative Percussion has a nice selection of drumline videos, too. Some corps using IP are Phantom Regiment, Cavaliers, Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, Glassmen, Spirit, and Troopers.

Pro-Mark doesn’t have a very good drumline videos page, but at least there’s a little bit of content in there (if you look for it). Remember, Blue Devlis started using Pro-Mark this season and there’s also some videos from Pioneer, Impluse, and Teal Sound. There’s some more info about the new Blue Devils sticks on the Steve Weiss Music Blog.

Pearl usually have some DCI videos, but this year they’re a little late to the party (no videos up as of this posting). Supposedly when they get published, you can find them on Pearl’s marching page.

There’s no new drumline exercise this month. Instead you get to work on these drumset brush etudes by Jon Hazilla and published by the Berklee School of Music. Relax a bit and get your brushes out of your bag. After all, PASIC 2008 isn’t too far away.

Basics of Brushes

• Basic Rules for Drum Brushes by Jon Hazilla (pdf)
• Brush Patterns for Drums by Jon Hazilla (pdf)

Works by Jon Hazilla are subject to this CC License.

It’s a great thing that Berklee and Jon Hazilla have decided to share a few clips with the community. Thank you.