PercEnsemble Lesson Plan

For the next rehearsal, please be prepared to review the following items:

Goals for 4/18/24 Rehearsal: 6 to 8:00 PM

Instruments Needed:

  • Marimba (1)
  • Marching Snares (3)
  • Marching Tenors (3)
  • Marching Bass Drums (4)
  1. Please review the Exercise Recordings section found in the Student Access/Percussion Ensemble area of the website.
    • Please make sure you can access this area of the site with your device you will be using for rehearsals.
    • Exercises we will cover:
      • Legato Bucs (modified from 3/21 rehearsal)
      • Eighth Note Timing
      • Double Beat
      • Scrambled Eggs (16th Accent Pattern)
      • Green Scales (Mallet Instruments)
      • Patterns (new)
      • Changes
  2. Add Bb major scale for mallets – continue to use in green scales method
    • Locate Bb note: On a piano image or keyboard, it is the farthest not to the right of the 3 black note grouping.
    • Utilize the WWHWWWH method we learned in first rehearsal to determine the actual notes of the major scale.
  3. We will start working an ensemble piece for the marching instruments.

Please make sure you have access to the following page:

https://kmsband.org/student-access/percussion-ensemble/

If you need the updated password, your student should have it that has been participating.  However, please email David Smelser (dsmelser73@gmail.com) directly and I will provide this to you.

Below information is to be used as reference throughout the season:

Rhythm Sheets

Percussion Manual – Read pages 3 through 13. Pay special attention to the following topics: Hand Positions, Style of Play, Expectations, Keyboard Fundamentals.  This is to be used as reference for exercises and techniques discussed during rehearsals. 

  • All – Focus on Rhythm Sheets
  • Battery/Drums – Focus on Hand Positions, Style of Play and Expectations in the Percussion Manual and then exercises mention of Legato/BUCS, Eighth Note Timing and Bass Unison Exercise.
  • Front Ensemble/Mallets – reading pages 3-13 in the Percussion Manual for awareness specifically Keyboard Fundamentals. Exercises should include Legato/BUCS (single note on keyboard), Eighth Note Timing and Green Scales.