Interested in how percussionists approached it for the first time. Was it via a drum kit? A children's xylophone? Or because there were no other percussionists in the school orchestra so you got roped in?

Just wondered...! Also, what do you think a good 'starting point' would be?

My sister recently started playing percussion in both the school concert band and orchestra. She didn't choose to, it was just because she waited for me after school while I played. She just joined in ith the other players and had improved from there

My son was 6 year old when he started percussion. He was grade 2 on the piano and desparately wanted to join a band or orchestra. He was on the waiting list for cello lessons at the time.

His older brother was playing in an area concert band and one day I asked the percussion coach if he could have a go. I explained that he had already passed grade 2 piano with distinction and he had good sight reading.

He is now 9 years old and has been with the band 2.5 years. He has really enjoyed being part of a big ensemble. He has learnt to play all the orchestral percussion and has recently started drum kit tuition so he can move up the bands. When he played in his first concert he could barely see over the percussion table or over the music stand!! He still looks small when he plays the timps/bass drum. In fact one of the funniest concert I remember is when he played the cymbals.... except he couldnt manage to hold both cymbals so another child held one cymbal while he crashed into them with other !!

I've just come back home from my grade 8 percussion exam. I'm pretty sure I passed with distinction. I'm not being arrogant, I'm just very good.

I started last year with just a snare drum, because I wanted to join the Royal Marines band service as a bugler/drummer. Then I decided to work towards ABRSM grade exams so I bought a cheap glockenspiel and started to teach myself. I took grade 1 last Spring and passed with merit so then entered for grade 2, which I failed due to my glockenspiel not being big enough. Since then I've just played percussion for pleasure, in particular Irish and World percussion.

Matt

Both my girls are learning percussion. The eldest plays drums (kit). They got started on percussion when they went to a workshop at the Arts Centre run by the Music Service. They were offered free lessons, they are around Grade 2 standard but as yet have not taken any exams.

they have been playing around 15 months they play snare and xylaphone on their lesson. The eldest plays in the Youth Orchestra and one of the staff has encouraged and supported her with timpani. The youngest is hoping to change the time of her lesson so she too can play in Orchestra.

Their is a shortage of percussionists across all the bands which is a shame especially as Kit is very popular in schools.

In March the eldest played in Concert with the Orchestra for the first time. I was proud when the conductor asked her to take a bow at the end. I was also embarressed and not because her solo was on the wooden block, but she was the only one in a white shirt (everyone else was in black). I could have crawled under the seat, even though I knew it was only because she had also played with the Recorders and White is correct for them!

I started with kit and moved onto percussion and orchestral. I began because my band needed a drummer so I stupidly decided to learn. I ended up enjoying it, and played for another 2 years, and got to grade 8 standard. I reckon a good starting point is kit because it teaches co-ordination as well as rhythms, so after that everything else seems easy. However, I would suggest starting some form of tuned percussion too, because it keeps your percussion playing musical, and opens up soooo much cool repertoire. You considering it, Ben?

Perhaps one day. I thought it might be useful as I hope to work in primary schools eventually...

Don't think I can quite afford a marimba at present! (Though it'd be fantastic to have one!)

Aye I know what you mean! Tuned percussion is so expensive! Being unable to afford a decent instrument (glockenspiel, xylophone, etc) is the one thing stopping me from carrying on ABRSM Percussion grades. Apparently my 'toy' glockenspiel from the Early Learning Centre isn't suitable beyond Grade 1!

Matt

I'm sure it's lovely, though.

hi, im thinking about taking up tuned percussion and was wondering where i could get a cheap, decent glockenspiel or similar?

Try out;

http://www.knockonwood.co.uk

http://www.starland.co.uk

http://www.lmsmusicsupplies.co.uk


Matt

Wow, I notice one of these places sells steel pans - anyone here got experience of playing these? I bet they're great fun!!

Nope I havn't played them before, but you're right - they'd be great fun!

*Makes note to self to learn steel drums so can introduce them at school*

thanks bassmadmatt

i play the steel pans a bit in school, but we have to play disney music

I am so sorry.

I started percussion a few years ago once I'd played flute/violin etc, and snare drum is quite a good starting point I reckon cos it develops skills that you need on all the other instruments. But I don't play kit, well only up to about grade 2 or 3 standard, and that's a big regret. You can get some pretty good equipment off ebay

I played the kit for about 2 years but geave it up becasue of the teacher, but im going to start playing the xylophone as soon as i can afford one lol

Please, no more ebay! If I bid for anything else I'll be in serious trouble with the bank...

Have you tried www.gear4music.com?

You can get some really good equipment here at reasonable prices, my son managed to get his through school and got the VAT taken off too. My friend has the xylophone and says it is definitely good value for money.

i just bought one of these: http://larkinthemorning.com/product.asp?pn...hcd2=1149267496

its a bit bad, but im saving up for one of these:
http://www.gear4music.com/Drums/Percussion...Gear4music.html

I had one of those too!!!

Yeah they're great!

Hey piano06, I've got one of those glockenspiels too! You've made a good purchase there!

Matt

we should start a club

does anybody else agree that we need a new topic?

Absolutely. Otherwise Christine & Co. will be wondering why exactly they acquiesced to the request for a Percussion forum...

Amen to that. So does anyone have any ideas as to a new thread?

Matt

P.S. 'Acquiesced' - good lexical choice! That's quite an admirable ideolect you have there!

You should see my sociolect!

A bit late (been in the Lake District all week), but they're fantastic! I started on them at about 10 playing a tenor pan (the usual ones you see - it's a single pan), then tried doubles and settled on a single second for a while until I changed schools. I'm now a bass player (six pans and some huge sticks) and it's brilliant - and great exercise! My teacher's really good fun too - I don't have lessons (which are small group ensembles) anymore because I'm up to 3 instruments and I can't take on any more, but I do go to the school's steel band and want to join my youth music organisation's band too

I'm tempted to start a steel pans thread...

Go for it!

Matt