Percussion tip

The age-old advice of "Pull the tone out of the drum instead of driving the tone into the drum" sounds intriguing.... but what exactly does one actually do to accomplish this? In essence what we are talking about is managing the mallet or stick speed so that the stick or mallet starts the drum vibrating but doesn't dampen the vibration. This accomplished through a quick "snap back" of the stick, so that it doesn't follow the head through its vibration, but pulls away from the head quickly so the drum head is free to vibrate at its own pitch. There is a strong downward "tap" followed by a very quick upward rebound. To experience this, simply "thump" the palm of your hand with the middle finger of the other hand (snapping the middle finger from under the thumb is called "thumping.")

New members needed

The Stonewall Brigade Band is recruiting in all sections. We could use 2-3 more clarinets, another oboe, a couple of bass clarinets, another bassoon, quite a few trumpets, several trombones, more euphonium players, another tuba or two, and percussionists who can play mallets and tympani. We have fine players in all these sections, but need more depth in our sections to cover vacations during our Summer park concert series. College music students are welcome to "sit in" on the summer concerts. Just contact the director to arrange your participation in the oldest-continuous community concert band in the nation!