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As directors you
are aware that accessory percussion instruments are
used at every level of the concert band literature.
However, it may not be as clear what instruments are
now considered "standard" and should be included in
the basic percussion inventory of your music program.
Below I have listed the standard accessory instruments
that are needed relative to the level of the ensemble
and have offered suggestions to fill these needs.
The suggestions I have made are quality instruments
from the Latin
Percussion family of percussion instruments. Many
of these may be familiar to you but others may not.
Let me explain some of my suggestions.
For wood blocks
I suggest the LP
1205/1207 Jam Blocks to fill this need. These
tone blocks are made of Jenigor, a special plastic,
that has the traditional wood block sound with the
durability of plastic. This durability is ideal for
any band program. Besides the concert band literature,
this instrument is exceptional in jazz band and percussion
ensemble. In addition, many Color Guard instructors
now use this to "sound time" during rehearsals instead
of using the old stand-by - drum sticks.The cut of
a Jam Block can be heard all over the field.
For Elementary Band, I have suggested the LP
Cyclops Tambourine again for its quality sound
and durability. However, this is a headless tambourine
and will not be suited to all literature. That is
why the CP Headed Tambourine is added in Junior
High. This instrument will enable the percussionists
to play more characteristic parts as they develop.
As many of you may realize, temple blocks seem to
crack all the time. The LP
Granite Blocks are an ideal solution to this
problem. Constructed of Jenigor like the Jam
Blocks, this instrument is very durable with
a great cutting sound. I've used it in Concert Band,
Percussion Ensemble, and Broadway Shows with excellent
success.
One of the problems that percussionists seem to
always have is how to mount cowbells, wood blocks,
etc. The LP
Everything Rack provides a compact attachment
for mounting
various percussion accessories to a standard suspended
cymbal stand. This is extremely handy for use in
concert bands, pit orchestras for musicals, percussion
ensembles, solo percussion pieces, and the "pit"
area of marching band. This item has become indispensable
in my own free-lance performing.
In every musical setting, especially in the school
system, durability and dependability are just as
important as sound quality. I highly recommend the
LP
Super Guiro, King
Klave, and Pro
Maracas for fulfilling all three of these aspects.
Patterned after the classic Cuban gourd guiro, the
LP Super Guiro has a great sound and will withstand
the abuse of the average band setting. Similarly
the plastic Pro Maracas are incredibly durable.
A stunning recent development is the King Klave.
Made of a synthetic material, this clave has a consistent
and powerful sound. I use all of these with my students
and in my own performing.
With literally hundreds of small percussion instruments
that are incorporated in today's literature, I have
only listed the minimum basics that every well-equipped
music program should possess. Remember that world
music is now a major force and more ethnic percussion
instruments will be incorporated in the works of
contemporary composers. Today's music programs will
continually need to expand their inventory and educators
extend their knowledge of this exciting new music.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BAND
1 - Block
LP
1205 Jam Block, high pitch
1 - Triangle
LP
311B 5" Triangle
1 - Cowbell
LP
204 Black Beauty Cowbell
1 - Tambourine
LP
170 Cyclops Tambourine
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BAND
2 - Blocks
LP
1205 Jam Block, high pitch
LP 1207 Jam Block, low pitch
2 - Triangles
LP
311B 5" Triangle
LP 311C 6" Triangle
2 - Cowbells
LP
204A Black Beauty Cowbell
LP
229 Mambo Cowbell
2 - Tambourines
LP
170 Cyclops Tambourine
CP380
10" Headed Tambourine
1 - Temple Blocks
LP1210
LP Granite Blocks
2 pr - Castanets
LP
430 Castanets
1 pr - Claves
LP
597 King Klave
1 pr - Maracas
LP
281 Professional Maracas
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT BAD
4 - Wood Blocks
LP
1205 Jam Block, high pitch
LP 1207 Jam Block, low pitch
LP
684 Groove Block, small
LP 685 Groove Block, large
3 - Triangles
LP
311B 5" Triangle
LP 311C 6" Triangle
LP 311A 3" Triangle
4 - Cowbells
LP
204A Black Beauty Cowbell
LP
229 Mambo Cowbell
LP
206A Bongo Cowbell
LP
575 Tapon Cowbell
LP
231A Agogo Bells, standard
3 - Tambourines
LP
170 Cyclops Tambourine
CP
380 10" Headed Tamb.
1 - Temple Blocks
LP
1210 LP Granite Blocks
2 pr - Castanets
LP
430 Castanets
2 pr - Claves
LP
597 King Klave
LP
262R Traditional Clave
2 pr - Maracas
LP
281 Professional Maracas
LP
389 Fiber Maracas
1 Afuche/Cabasa
LP
234A Afuche, Cabasa, Std.
1 - Guiro
LP
243 Super Guiro
1 - Vibra Slap
LP
208 Vibra Slap
1 pr - Finger Cymbals
LP
436 Finger Cymbals
1 - Cowbell/Wood Block Rack
LP
372 Everything Rack
2 - Bar Chimes
LP
511 Concert Bar Chimes
LP
515 Studio Bar Chimes
by David Collier has been on the staff
of Illinois State University in Bloomington/Normal
Illinois for 14 years, where he is currently head
of the Percussion Department.
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