Percussion Focus

The June edition of BBW brings a focus on that oft-neglected section of a brass band - percussion. ‘Pro’ percussionist and timpani stick designer/maker, Seán Hooper, works his way through the basic percussion artillery and offers advice on technique

I recently had an enjoyable few rehearsals and a contest playing as guest timpanist with a local brass band. It was interesting that the percussion section, just two players, had a young, very talented percussion student who, unusually nowadays, was very competent on orchestral percussion in general, as well as on timpani - not just on drum kit and snare drum. The other member, with years of musical experience, was actually originally a cornet player, who had generously move ‘sideways’ into percussion to ensure the band always had at least one player. The week afterwards, I had an order from a customer who mentioned in passing that he was originally a cornet player. It occurs to me that this will increasingly be the case - young players who have learned at school (most likely just drum kit because music education funding cuts have made orchestral percussion an endangered species) and gaps in the section filled with brass players who have generously moved over. (Plea to band committees - if you have a player who has been kind enough to do this, please find the funds for at least one lesson from a drum or percussion teacher to help with basics, such as grip and technique)…

Read this article, featured in June 2017’s BBW, by subscribing to BBW Digital. Alternatively, subscribe to the printed magazine delivered by post: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)