Northern Arizona University

College of Arts and Letters

School of Music

Applied Percussion Studies

MUP 120, 220 (1-3 hour credit) 11:30-12:30 p.m., T/TH, Room 162

Dr. Steve Hemphill, Instructor; Phone 523-3739

E-Mail: Steven.Hemphill@nau.edu

LEVEL I

Syllabus for First Semester Freshman

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Activities and assignments during the course of applied study will be directed toward aiding the student to:

Increase percussion performance skills including:

a)  requisite physical techniques concerning sound production, posture, hand grips, stroke types, flexibility,    

     endurance, strength, digital/wrist/arm control, etc.;

b)  visual, aural and tactile rhythmic and pitch discrimination skills, including sight reading;

c)  awareness, understanding and synthesis of the elements requisite to sensible interpretive decisions in musical  

     performance;

d)  solo keyboard, rudimental and concert snare drum, timpani, auxiliary (concert percussion), drum set, multiple

     percussion, Latin percussion, hand drumming and world percussion.

2.

Gain familiarity with the musical and pedagogical literature associated with percussion - stimulate interest in professional literature related to percussion instruments and percussion performance.

3.

Acquire familiarity with, and understanding of, the basics of percussion pedagogy.

4.

Gain a practical understanding of the learning process aimed at increased efficiency and economy in skill acquisition in order to:

a)  acquire a constructive, problem-solving orientation

b)  enhance the quality of time spent in the practice and study of percussion.

5.

Develop through listening the awareness, appreciation and critical discernment of varying types of music.

6.

Cultivate interest in and development of improvisatory and compositional skills as they relate to percussion performance.

7.

Develop an awareness of those disciplines and potential situations which can directly benefit from the experience of applied study:  self-motivation, problem solving, goal setting, self-reliance and confidence, leadership, sensitivity, etc.

8.

Develop and apply appropriate strategies for dealing with performance stress and anxiety.

9.

Acquire the self-initiative and ability for continued self-study in percussion beyond the formal educational environment.

Scheduling Lessons

At the beginning of each semester, all students are required to submit a copy of their class schedule to the percussion studies office (162) in order to facilitate the scheduling of lessons and master classes.  The schedules should be as complete and accurate as possible, and must be placed under the door of the percussion studies office or in the instructor's mailbox (School of Music office) a minimum of 48 hours before the first class day of the semester.  It is the student's responsibility to be pre-registered and fully knowledgeable of his/her class schedule before the semester begins.  A late submission of a class schedule will result in a recorded m (unexcused).  Exceptions (by written note or phone call) must be cleared with the instructor in advance.  Preferred lesson days and/or times may be requested in writing on the student's class schedule sheet (bottom or back) and will be honored whenever possible.

Credit Hours

Percussion majors register for weekly lessons: MUP 220 or 420 (offered for two or three credit hours). Percussion minors register for MUP 120 or 320 (offered for one credit hour only).  One credit hour equals twelve thirty-minute private lessons during the semester; registration for two or three credit hours entitles the student to twelve sixty-minute private lessons during the semester.  The Applied Percussion Studies Handbook, which includes important information regarding materials, examinations, and recitals, will serve the student as the central guideline throughout the four-/five-year collegiate experience.  All applied percussion students are required to attend and participate in master class.

TEXTS:  Due to the nature of percussion studies, the exploration of many different instruments within the same general family, the student will require numerous study materials, method books, sticks and mallets, solo repertoire, and various paraphernalia.  This burden must be clearly understood by the student when collegiate studies are embarked upon.  Expectations of the teacher include the student's acquisition of all necessary and recommended materials.  The student should regard these requirements as steps toward developing a personal/professional library and acquiring necessary "tools" for professional development and eventual employment.  To a significant degree, the student's cooperation in this area can and will be assessed in the general evaluation of the student's progress.  The student should expect to spend an approximate minimum of $300.00 per semester for materials and equipment.

Applied Study Materials

LEVEL I (Freshman Students)

Required materials to be determined and selected from the following:

Green

Instruction Course for Xylophone: A

     Complete Course of 50 Lessons

Meredith

Payson

Techniques of Playing Bass Drum,

Cymbals, and Accessories

Payson Percussion

Houghton/

   Warrington

Essential Styles for the Drummer & Bassist  

     - Vol. I

Ÿ

Concert snare drum sticks (Goodman A/Reimer - Able "Bold"/Cooperman - Zuber "Nothung" or Petrella #5/Firth General or instructor's approval)

Ÿ

A "pocket" music dictionary (The A to Z of Foreign Musical Terms by Christine Ammer, published by E. C.  Schirmer, or similar)

Steve Weiss Music

2324 Wyandotte Road

Willow Grove, PA 19090

Phone: (215) 659-0100

Fax: (215) 659-1170

www.steveweissmusic.com

Drums In The Wind

19888 State Line Rd.

South Bend, IN 46637

Phone: (800) 540-4054

www.wwandbw.com

Interstate

13819 W. National Ave.

New Berlin, WI 53151

Phone: (800) 462-2263

www.interstatemusic.com

Lone Star Percussion

10611 Control Place

Dallas, TX  75238

Phone: (214) 340-0835

Cedar Music

1530 S. Riordan Street, #401

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Phone: (928) 779-0799

The Percussion Source

1212 5^th Street

P.O. Box 5521

Coralville, IA 52241

Phone: (866) 849-4387

www.percussionsource.com

service@percussionsource.com

1)

mAll All major and minor scales, by memory, according to the following patterns:  two octaves, 4/4 time - ascending and descending. (tempo: quarter-note =120)

2)

Memorize 40 rudimental patterns from the PAS revised listing of standard rudiments for snare drum.

3)

Develop a warm-up routine on snare drum and keyboard which incorporates technical materials from Bailey's Mental & Manual Calisthenics and the instructor's materials.

4)

Bailey: selected pages (keyboard).

5)

Goldenberg: selected Roman numeral études (keyboard).

6)

Bona, Section II: selected melodic studies (keyboard).

7)

Review 4-mallet technique.

8)

Select one 4-mallet solo or specific études.

9)

Stick Control (snare drum): selected pages.

10)

Cirone: selected études (snare drum).

11)

Exercises selected to address special issues (instructor's materials).

12)

Independent auxiliary (concert) percussion study: Payson.

13)

Independent drum set study: Reed, Houghton, and Erskine.

14)

Two solos, to be performed when possible on student recital or in master class.

15)

Annotated index file of 10 works from a minimum of five different recordings, only two of which may be jazz or   commercial, one of which must be for solo instrumentation other than percussion; one of which must be a percussion videotape (complete documentary or instructional) and the remainder of which must represent percussion performances from contrasting instrumentation, styles, and genre (i.e. solo, chamber, orchestral, etc.).  See Applied Percussion Handbook for recommended listening and viewing.  Each entry must include composer, title, record identification and label, performer(s), brief discussion of personal impressions, thoughts regarding the work and/or performance and anything to aid in later recall of the recording. Correct grammar and spelling is required.  Students will keep a personal copy of all submitted materials for portfolio files.

16)

Compose a brief étude (at least 16 measures) for marimba or vibraphone which treats a specific technical problem of interest to the student.  Each student should strive to make the etude as musical as possible.  Students will keep a personal copy of their submitted composition for portfolio files.

17)

Readings from Teaching Percussion, Gary Cook:

      a) Chapter 1, General Considerations and Prerequisites – completed by third Friday of the month of 

          September.

      b) Chapter 2, Basic Percussion Technique Through the Study of the Snare Drum – completed by the third

           Friday of the month of October.

      c) Chapter 4, Keyboard Percussion – completed by the first Friday of the month of December.

EVALUATION METHOD:  The Applied Percussion Studies Syllabus and the Applied Percussion Studies Handbook, as academic documents, are intended to outline a general comprehensiveness and pacing for collegiate percussion study.  Although the documents appear rigid in their structure, flexibility is an important component to successful applied teaching, requiring an individual approach in their application.  As these documents offer ambitious models, the instructor may substitute appropriate solo, étude, and instructional materials for all levels.  Equivalent requirements, however, will be in effect for materials thus substituted, and will be clearly established at the outset of the student's use of such materials.

Readings of general and specific natures, relative to the study of percussion and musical performance, may be assigned periodically.  The text contents of all method materials (including definitions of foreign musical terminology) for all instruments listed in the Course Material and Requirements are the responsibility of the student.

General studio evaluation criteria will be based upon, but not limited to, the following: a) evidence of careful and complete lesson preparation, b) technical (skill-related) progress and ability, c) attitude, d) regular attendance, e) punctuality, f) overall progress made during the semester in relation to the student's specific degree program, g) cooperative acquisition of required materials, h) attendance and participation in weekly master class.

The progress and lesson documentation of each student will be recorded in an individualized notebook housed in the studio office.  The notebook will include a lesson assignment and grade sheet, utilized for each lesson; a semester achievement form, recording the student's studio status, test results, reading requirements, ensemble participation (and positions held), among other information; a series of practice schedule and recording sheets (if requested); and a graduation achievement form (documentation of cumulative achievement and information helpful in the preparation of recommendation letters).

Evaluation and Planning:

During the first lesson of each semester the teacher will make a brief assessment of the student's major playing strengths and areas which need further improvement.  The assessment shall be based upon a brief hearing including prepared material; sight-reading; and scales and/or technical skills such as linear connection evenness, control in extreme volumes, rolls, accuracy, phrasing, etc.

Each student studying in the percussion studio will be required to perform in a juried setting at the end of each semester, with a panel of NAU faculty adjudicating the student's performance.  The jury will consist of a prepared solo or musical étude performance on marimba (or vibes/xylophone) and at least one other area from the following:  concert snare drum (or approved repertoire for rudimental snare drum), timpani, or multiple percussion.  Any and all performed material must be approved by the instructor in advance of the jury.  In addition, selected scales, arpeggios, rudiments, rolls, tunings (timpani), and sight reading will be included as part of the jury.  The student will receive a written critique of the jury performance by each faculty member.  While each applied lesson is graded individually, the jury grade substantially influences the final grade by 25%.  The syllabus will aid in outlining some of the specific requirements for the jury.

Letter grades are based upon one percent increments (A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%).

ATTENDANCE:  Due to the one-on-one participation format of the course, grades will be adversely affected by poor attendance.  Therefore, attendance is mandatory and a record of attendance will be maintained.  Excused absence must be documented (i.e. institutional excuse, medical evidence, explanatory note of a family emergency).  An excused absence means that a student is allowed to make up missed work.  Unexcused absences will prohibit the student from making up the lesson or any assignments and a letter grade of F will be recorded on the lesson form for that week.  If the student is ill or is aware that the lesson cannot be attended, it is the responsibility of the student to call the percussion studio to leave such a message (523-3739):  a 24 hour lead time call or, at minimum, by 8:00 a.m. of the day of the lesson is required for "excused" consideration.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty is the representation of someone else's work as one's own (cheating, plagiarism, or making false statements or reports).  Please review the following excerpt from the university policy on attendance and integrity.  (From the Undergraduate Catalog):

Class Attendance: You are responsible for regularly attending all courses for which you are registered. Should an absence from class be unavoidable, you are responsible for reporting the reason to your instructors. (Be aware that Fronske Health Center does not provide documentation of your health problems.) In addition, you are responsible for making up any work you miss.  […]

Academic Integrity: NAU regards acts of academic dishonesty--including but not limited  to plagiarism, forging an instructor's  signature, stealing tests, copying themes or tests from other students, or using "crib notes"--as very serious offenses.  If you are charged  with academic dishonesty,  you are subject to the Arizona Board of Regent's Code of Conduct and procedures established by NAU that are outlined in the Student Handbook.

For predicted absences (i.e. institutional excuse for tours), please arrange for rescheduling and predetermined assignments in advance of the absence.

REFER TO THE APPLIED PERCUSSION STUDIES HANDBOOK

FOR SUPPLIMENTAL SYLLABUS INFORMATION