How to get ahead in Band...

Now that school has started again so has band; as in, the class. For most of us, band means drumline, concert band, percussion ensemble, symphony orchestra, and steel band. A typical program will have 20-40 percussionists. Some activities will be required, while some, like the All-District band and orchestra, are optional, perhaps for extra credit. If you're an upper-classman, you're coming back to friends and a program you know well. If you're a freshman or a transfer student, it can be a little daunting.

No matter how dedicated or motivated you are about percussion and music, there are many opportunities to play and have fun, but not everyone gets to do these. The top ensembles are reserved for the best musicians. Some extra ensembles require an audition. You have probably noticed that some students seem to rise to many challenges and participate as much as they can. They tend to shine in the top jazz band or as timpanist with the orchestra. How did they get there? Why are they considered the best? The same way you will... with a little work.

Think Basics

If you think the center snare drummer in drumline got that spot because he can play that slick solo with all the back-sticks and flips, think again. He got that spot because he improved his rhythm, rudiments, and sound. The same skills are what get you through a concert band or percussion ensemble piece. These are the skills that get noticed by the directors and set you above the rest in an audition.

Two basic ways to improve your rhythm are to work on "sub-division" and "timing". Sub-division is when you go back and forth between two sets of note-values. Hup-Dup is a classic exercise for subdivision (Also, JVG's Chronos). Timing is taking a single note-value and playing rhythms based on removing one note from the set. Both these exercises come in duple and triple forms. (Check out Rhythm Studies.)

Every band room has a poster of the PAS International Drum Rudiments. Work 'em out; you can't get ahead on snare drum (or any related instrument) if you can't play the rudiments. There are rudiments for keyboards too: they're called scales and arpeggios.

You also have to learn to control your sound. On every instrument, play and listen carefully. Try to stretch your dynamic range. Work to make your playing smoother and more even sounding. Listen to the quality of your attacks and the tones. Try as many different sticks as you can and learn how they effect your sound.

Metronome

Got a metronome? Know how to use it? If you want better "time" don't just set it to the beat and play, that doesn't help. I really like the met as a tool, but many people make it a crutch. When you play with the metronome set to the beat, make sure you are providing the time within you and just use the machine as a reference. To make this harder, play metronome games:

Take an exercise or etude you play well. Set the metronome to the beat. Set the metronome to half-tempo and play with the click as 1 and 3. Play with the click as 2 and 4. Set the metronome to quarter-tempo and play with the click as 1. Play with the click as 2. Set the metronome to the beat and play with the click as the "and"s. Set the metronome to half-tempo and play with the click as "and of 1" and "and of 3". Etc.

Read, Read, Read

The better you read, the better you play. Think of reading music the same way you read words. You don't have to read out loud to become a better reader. You don't have to play music to read it. Just sit an comfy chair and read. Try to read some music every day: any instrument, any style.

Sight-reading (performing as you read for the first time) forces you to read at performance pace. This can be good for both your reading (because you have to read well and quickly) and you playing (because you aren't focusing just on playing). Again, you can sight-read almost any music. Try trading parts with a wind or string player to mix it up.

Work on what you can't do

As a percussionist, you are expected to be well-rounded. It's okay to have a specialty. It's not okay to be unable to play anything else. Look for "holes" in your abilities and work on them. Every skill is transferable, so what you learn playing timpani will help you play snare and vise-versa.

Lessons

It's very hard to get ahead in band if you aren't taking private lessons. A teacher will show you new skills, give you materials to work on, and check your progress to make sure you don't develop bad habits.

If you can't take lessons, at least get a mentor. Ask an older student to help you out. They will probably be honored that you asked them, and it's usually free.

Let's hear your tips for getting better. Share a story, or an exercise that helped you.