Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Department of Music
MUU 234
Percussion Techniques
Approved by Department: November 4, 2003
Course Description
This course will prepare prospective music educators to be able to teach percussion instruments to
beginning school students, and to successfully apply knowledge of percussion instruments in the school
instrumental music program in classroom and ensemble settings.
Prerequisites:
None
2 Clock hours, 1 Semester Credit hour
Course Rationale
In an actual teaching position, school instrumental music educators will be expected to teach
percussion instruments to beginning students, and to instruct percussion players during ensemble and
classroom settings, even if the educator is not a percussion player. These goals are accomplished by having
the students in this course learn how to play percussion instruments as beginners, by giving them playing
experiences, and by giving them opportunities to teach the class how to play beginning percussion
instruments.
This course will familiarize the student with the basic playing techniques of the standard band and
orchestra percussion instruments, such as snare drum, keyboard percussion, drum set, tympani, and
auxiliary percussion. In addition, selected world percussion instruments, such as Latin and African
percussion, will be introduced and related to music education programs and ensemble literature. Correct
playing techniques will be studied, and the student will be expected to play elementary solo and ensemble
literature. Common teaching problems and pedagogical methods will be presented, and the student will
experience opportunities to teach beginning percussion.
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate rudimentary playing skills on snare drum keyboard percussion, tympani, selected
accessories, and drum set.
2. Play elementary and intermediate level solo and ensemble repertoire for various percussion
instruments.
3. Teach other students correct playing skills on percussion instruments.
4. Compare and contrast various pedagogical methods.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of solo and pedagogical literature appropriate for different levels
of playing.
6. Perform basic maintenance and repair of various percussion instruments.
Course Outline
1) FUNDAMENTAL PERCUSSION TECHNIQUES
a) Snare Drum
i) Technical Execution
ii) Method Books and Instructional Materials
b) Xylophone
i) Technical Execution
ii) Method Books and Instructional Materials
c) Drum Set
i) Technical Execution
ii) Method Books and Instructional Materials
d) Bass Drum, Cymbals and Accessories
i) Technical Execution
ii) Method Books and Instructional Materials
2) ADVANCED PERCUSSION TECHNIQUES
a) Timpani
i) Technical Execution
ii) Method Books and Instructional Materials
b) Latin American and World Percussion Instruments
i) Technical Execution
ii) Method Books and Instructional Materials
c) Marching Percussion
i) Technical Execution
ii) Method Books and Instructional Materials
3) MUSICAL INTERPRETATION OF PERCUSSION PARTS
a) Solo
b) Ensemble
c) Band
d) Orchestra
4) CARE AND REPAIR
a) Mallet Covering and Wrapping
b) Replacing Drum Heads and Tuning
i) Snare Drums
ii) Toms
iii) Bass Drum
iv) Timpani
c) Maintainance
d) Repairs
Supplies
Drum Sticks, Drum Pad
Assessment
Assessment of each student’s level of accomplishment with reference to the course objectives will
be based upon the following:
1. Demonstration of performance skills on snare drum, keyboard percussion, timpani, and
auxiliary percussion instruments commensurate with the level of accomplishment of a
beginning student after two years of public school instruction.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Demonstration of correct beginning performance techniques on World Percussion instruments
selected from Latin American and African cultures.
Classroom evaluation of peer teaching opportunities.
Classroom evaluation of small ensemble and large group instructional situations.
Written Mid-Term and Final Examinations covering pedagogical information.
Completion of a Mid-Term and End-of-Term Self-Assessment document to serve as
formative and summative instrument for self-reflection.
Conducting skills and rehearsal leadership through the teaching/rehearsing of selected
intermediate level percussion ensemble compositions.
Evaluation of teaching skills through a sample percussion lesson taught individually to the
course professor.
Instructional Resources
Abeles, Hoofer, & Klotman. Foundations of Music Education. NY: Schirmer, 1994.
Beck, John H. Encyclopedia of Percussion Instruments. New York: Garland Publishing, 1994.
Blades, James. Percussion Instruments and Their History. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1970.
Cirone, Anthony J. and Sinai, Joe. The Logic of it All. Menlo Park, CA: Cirone Publications, 1977.
Combs, F. Michael. Percussion Manual. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 1977.
Cook, Gary D. Teaching Percussion (2nd ed). New York: Schirmer, 1997.
Eduardo, Chalo, and Frank Kumor. Drum Circle: A Guide to World Percussion. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred
Publishing Co. Inc., 2001.
Hinger, Fred D. The Virtuoso Timpanist. Hackensack, NJ: Jerome Publications, 1968.
Hoffer, Charles. Teaching Music in the Secondary Schools. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2001.
Holland, James. Percussion. New York: Schirmer, 1981.
Kumor, Frank and Eduardo, Chalo. Drum Circle: A Guide to World Percussion. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred
Publishing Company, Inc., 2001.
New Director's Handbook: Practical Answers for Beginning Teachers. Northfield, IL: The Instrumentalist
Co., 1996.
Peinkofer, Karl and Fritz, Tannigel. Handbook of Percussion Instruments. London: Schott, 1976.
Peters, Gordon B. The Drummer:Man, A Treatise on Percussion. Wilmette, IL: Kemper-Peters, Pub.,
1975.
Peters, Mitchell and Dave Black. Cymbals: A Crash Course. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Publishing Co. Inc.,
1992.
Rapp, Will. Essential Elements 2000 Percussion Book I. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Publishing
Corporation, 2000.
Rapp, Will. Essential Elements 2000 Percussion Book II. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Publishing
Corporation, 2001.
Rapp, Will. Essential Techniques 2000 Percussion Book III. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Publishing
Corporation, 2003.
Rapp, Will. The Visual Drumline. New Berlin, WI: Jenson Publications, 1985
Rahn, John, ed. Perspectives on Musical Aesthetics. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1994.
Siwe, Thomas. Percussion Ensemble Literature. Champaign, IL: Media Press Inc., 1998.
Siwe, Thomas. Percussion Solo Literature. Champaign, IL: Media Press Inc., 1995.
Walser, Robert. Keeping Time. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
JOURNALS
Director's Guide to Better Bands
The Instrumentalist
International Musician