Keyboard Percussion Study Guide

Generally, when should students read keyboard parts and when should they memorize?

"When the part is too hard to be played well, it must be memorized." - Mr. Britt (2020)

Where specifically do you strike the chime tubes?

"cap" at top of tube

What are some common negative stereotypes or problems with percussionists in public school? List 4. List 2 more as bonus.

1. Band directors are almost never percussionists 2. Directors often think percussion is easier and takes less talent (anyone can hit something) 3. Some directors only comment on percussion when the are totally wrong (e. g. too loud). Otherwise they are ignored. 4. Distance from the podium 5. Some directors have lower standards and teach with less intensity to percussion 6. Some directors are afraid to say something wrong to the percussion section

What are the five four-mallet stroke types discussed in class? List and briefly explain the first two.

1. Single Independent Stroke- one mallet rotates around the other mallet 2. Double Vertical Stroke- chords are played in piston stroke style - mallets hit at the same time (mostly a wrist action) 3. Single Alternating Stroke 4. Double Lateral Stroke 5. One-Handed Roll

What are the solutions or strategies for helping these problems? List 4. List 3 more as bonus.

1. When deciding instruments, spread out the talent, the good and the bad 2. Strive for equal attention for all with your rehearsal comments 3. Come off the podium often 4. Picking Lit (either lots of active parts, or thin parts so they can be out more 5. Beginners NEED a separate class from band 6. 7th and 8th graders need to be separate MOST of the time 7. H.S. Perc out for sections 2-3 days a week if possible. Work P.E. lit, all-region, method books, etc.

What is the standard range of the chimes?

1.5 Octaves (C-F)

List three types of mallets/ materials recommended for chime hammers

2 sets of mallets: 1 par rawhide. 1 pair acrylic with moleskin on 1 side

What is common range for glockenspiel? (This one isn't in the study guide but it was in the notes so I put it in here anyway)

2.5 Octaves (F-C)

What is the standard range of the xylophone?

3.5 Octaves (F-C)

What is the standard/most common range of the marimba?

4.3 Octaves (A-C)

Mr. Britt's recommended beginner book is called?

A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion by Mark Wessels

What chimes would you purchase for an average high school concert band?

Adams 1.5 Octave (C-F) 1.5" tubes

What vibe was recommended for an average high school band? Include brand, frame, and range.

Adams 3.0 Octave (F-F) Vibraphone with Field Frame, No Motor

What xylophone was recommended for an average high school band? include brand, frame, bar type, and range

Adams 3.5 Octave (F-C), Synthetic Bar Xylophone with field frame

What marimba was recommended for an average high school band? Include brand, range, bar type, and frame.

Adams 4.3 Octave (A-C) Synthetic Bar w/ field frame

What is the best position for the music stand on most keyboard instruments?

As close and as low to the keys as possible

What type of mallet shaft (handle) is used with Stephens technique?

Birch

What four mallet grip is used by most professional vibe players?

Burton

When moving up and down the keys on large instruments, what is the best way to position your body?

Center of body is in front of wherever you are playing

On most keyboard percussion instruments, what is generally the best place on the bar to play?

Center, above resonator, or slightly off-center

List the most common type of mallet head and shaft used on the vibraphone

Cord with rattan shaft

Give brand, range, and bar type of a professional use marimba

Demorrow 5.0 Octave (C-C) Rosewood

Give two foreign terms used to indicate orchestra bells

Glockenspiel (German) and Campanelli (Italian)

The "golden rule" when choosing mallets is: Don't use any mallet that is _____________________.

Harder than what you are striking

Is the xylophone a transposing instrument?

It sounds up one octave

What orchestra bells would you purchase for an average high school concert band (indoor)? Include brand and range

Malletech 2.6 Octave (F-D) Infinity Glockenspiel (mount on an indoor cart

A great collection of 4 mallet etudes, suitable for solo and ensemble or private lessons, is called?

Marimba: Technique through Music by Mark Ford

The authoritative test on four-mallet technique is called?

Method of Movement by Leigh Howard Stephens

Is the marimba a transposing instrument?

Nope

Is vibraphone a transposing instrument?

Nope

Why would a percussionist need to sometimes use the edge of the bar when playing?

Passages may be too fast to hit center of bar

Name the three most common ways to dampen notes on the vibraphone

Pedal, Mallet, Hand

what are the three main stroke types used in two- mallet keyboard playing?

Piston Stroke, Up Stroke, Down Stroke

What type of mallet shaft (handle) is used with Burton technique?

Rattan

What type of marimba bar is preferred by professionals?

Rosewood

Which two of the stroke types should students become proficient at before learning the others?

Single Independent Stroke and Double Vertical Stroke

What type of roll is most commonly used on keyboard percussion instruments?

Single alternating stroke roll

Is the glockenspiel a transposing instrument?

Sounds Up Two Octaves

What grip are we using in class?

Stephens

What are the three main 4 mallet grips?

Stephens, Burton, Traditional-Cross Grip

Your index finger points toward what in Stephens grip?

The other index finger

What is the standard range of the vibraphone?

Three Octaves (F-F)

What should you avoid doing with your body?

Turning

Your thumb will face what direction in Stephens grip?

Up

What are the advantages/ disadvantages of synthetic vs wood bars for the xylo or marimba? What situations are appropriate for each?

Ya-yeet. No answer here. Look for your notes

Describe the concept of the piston stroke, whether over a single bar or shifting/moving between bars. Why is this concept of playing important for keyboards?

Yada Yada essay question

What orchestra bells would you purchase for an average high school concert band if you want to take them outside? Include brand and range

Yamaha 2.5 Octave (F-C) w/ steel bars (mound on an outdoor rack or cart)

Yarn vs. Cord?

Yarn is less durable but has less bar slap. Cord is more durable, but has more attack/ bar slap than yarn

Why should you avoid turning?

You won't be able to reach all the keys

Describe how to hold the mallets

You're on your own here bud

List three types of mallets recommended for the orchestra bells

acrylic, hard plastic, brass

Name one type of mallet that should never be used on xylo

brass

Where is another spot that is also acceptable to play?

edge of bar

Name three types of mallets that should never be used on marimba

plastic, acrylic, brass

List the three types of mallets used on the xylo

plastic, rosewood, hard rubber

List three types of mallets that should be used on the marimba

yarn, cord, and soft rubber