Percussion instruments can trace their roots back to prehistoric times. Percussion instruments are played by striking them with a stick, mallet, or hand. Students who wish to play percussion need to start on another band instrument first. Those students can then switch to percussion after 6 months to a year. Beginning percussionists will be performing on a bell set and xylophone for a large portion of the first year. A bell set and xylophone play melodies like the wind instruments of the band. A common confusion about band is that students play “drums” – whereas student percussionists will learn how to play most of the instruments in the family, not just one.
Students who play Percussion are asked to sign up for a private percussion teacher. Without a private teacher, percussion may be a difficult instrument family to be in since percussionists have so many instruments to play, must learn to read both treble and bass clef notation, complicated rhythm patterns, and be able to pick up on new music very quickly and independently.
SDF: 2
Although a few percussionists receive large college scholarships and placement in honors ensembles, it is still one of the most popular family of instruments to play. Because there are so many percussionists, only the very best are selected for top honors and scholarships. Many students want to play the drums or drum-set. They should understand that the drums are a small part of this very large family of instruments and drum set is ONLY used in Jazz Band in the JHMS band program. A concert band of 75 will use 4-5 percussionists.