Exploring the Various Types of Drum and Percussion Mallets and What They Can Do

Drums are great to own, and they can be a lot of fun to play
and practice with. But did you know that, in the percussion family, there are
many more instruments to speak of. These instruments often feature a huge
variety of percussion mallets, each with their own unique shape and physical
characteristics, meant to provide a unique experience and help create the
unique sounds that the instruments in question have gotten us used to:

Drum sticks actually feature many different
varieties, such as the well-known 7A (a common jazz stick), the 5A wood tipped
rock stick or the 7AN, which is similar to the jazz stick but features a nylon
tip.

Rutes, or ruthes are known as multi-rods and are
beaters for drums that feature a movable band designed to adjust how tightly
bound the dowels are toward the tip.

Another well-known percussion mallet is the
wand, which is typically used to strike a triangle.

Finally, hammers, which are also known as
dongers or mallets, are – as the name would suggest – shaped like actual
hammers, and are designed to strike the xylophone or marimba, which is a percussion
instrument featuring wooden bars struck by the hammer, with each bar being
assigned a specific musical note.

find marimba mallets online

You can find mallets for a marimba online, as well as other other musical instruments and accessories at local music stores too!

Article source here: Exploring the Various Types of Drum and Percussion Mallets and What They Can Do

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Good Kids Drum Set?

kids drum set

Buying a drum kit is usually a fun and exciting experience,
and it can be even more fun when you buy a drum set for your kid. However,
aside from personal preference and color, there are a lot of factors that have
to be considered, including safety, durability and the fact that your child
will outgrow their first drum set and you might have to get them a new one soon
enough.

One of the first things you should consider is safety. Kids
can often go wild while they practice, and they love hitting the drums as hard
as they can. While the younger ones might not have much of a chance of damaging
the drum that way, they can hurt themselves. So make sure that the
manufacturers have taken this aspect into account and that they can ensure your
child will be safe while using the drums almost in any circumstances.

Durability is also important. A good kids drum set is
typically designed based on the child’s age range. As a result, it’s important
to not only ensure that the drums are known to be sturdy, but also that you
don’t buy a drum set that is more appropriate for younger kids, if your child
is older and stronger than most kids in that particular age range.

Article source here: What Should You Look for When Choosing a Good Kids Drum Set?

How to Decide What Kind of Percussion Instrument Is Right for You

Even though a lot of people would prefer a regular drum set
and would want to play in a rock band, it’s important to consider which type of
percussion instrument is actually right for you. In many cases, you’ll find
that everything from the type of sound they generate to the required posture
and the drumming style that you’ll need to adapt to will simply feel wrong in
the case of using certain types of drum sets or other percussion instruments.
As a result, you have to learn as much as possible about the different
instruments available out there, before you can make your final decision.

From the Korean Bak to the Maram typically used in India,
there are a huge variety of intricate and exotic percussion instruments to
choose from. While some of them might be traditionally suited to a specific
culture, others, like the marimba or the xylophone have become extremely
popular worldwide, and are typically used in a variety of music genres. 

online vibraphone

Check out the struck idiophone subfamily online vibraphone options for a special sound.

To determine the type of percussion instrument you want to
use, it’s important to know the genre and style you prefer and consider which
instruments are best suited to it. For instance, the timpani or kettledrums are
typically used in orchestras and for a variety of formal performances. Cymbals
are typically used to make loud noises, and maracas are considered to be great
for anyone who’s into latin music.

Article source here: How to Decide What Kind of Percussion Instrument Is Right for You

​ How to Effectively Protect Your Drum Heads While Playing

A lot of experts will tell you that one of the most
important things while drumming is to make sure you get the right drum heads.
These basic elements of your drum are known to be responsible for more tha 80%
of the quality of the sound you create, and while the rest of the materials and
elements are also important, the drum heads should be given special care and
consideration in most cases.

Of course, choosing the best and most durable drum kit is
a good idea. However, to save money and make sure your drum heads continue to
perform well in the long run, you can also consider protecting them while you
play.

First of all, while playing it’s a good idea to practice the
right posture. This can not only help protect your drum heads so you don’t have
to replace them as often, but may also increase the overall lifespan of a drum kit and help you save a lot of money in the long run.

Another way to protect drum heads is to cover them or
to cover your drums entirely. Special materials can be used for this purpose
that will not alter the sound that the drum creates, but can still be efficient
in protecting the drum and the drum heads. Some products even exist to help you
practice your drumming quietly while acting to protect your drum heads from
damage.

Article source here: ​ How to Effectively Protect Your Drum Heads While Playing

How to Consider Buying the Best Drums Depending on Your Music Genre

drum kits for sale

When you’re just starting out, and you want to buy the right
drum kit for a specific type of genre that you want to play, it’s worth
considering the types of drums you buy.

In the case of the metal genre, for instance, drum sets are
known to feature drums that have a larger diameter than what most drum sets
would present. This is because, in metal, what you’re usually looking for is a
higher pitch sound, so the geometry and design of the bass drums and toms in
particular will be quite different from what you’d use for playing regular rock
or pop.

Also, while the specific geometry of the individual drums
might be a good topic to focus on while you’re looking for the right drum kit,
it’s worth keeping in mind that the best drum kits for sale for specific genres are
typically associated with certain brands.

Most experts will refer you to Grestch for metal bands, as
well as for playing swing or jazz. On the other hand, if you’re looking to play
in a rock band, your best choice might be Tama. This brand is known for
offering some of the best types of drums for hard rock and metal as well.

Finally, it’s a popular opinion that the drum brand isn’t as
important as getting the right drum heads. Many drumming professionals will
agree that, as long as you have the right heads you can make almost any drum
kit work for any genre.

Article source here: How to Consider Buying the Best Drums Depending on Your Music Genre

Essential Tips for Tuning Your Drums Properly – What You Really Need to Know

Drum tuning can be somewhat of a complicated process. Some
might even refer to it as an art. While the concept behind it seems simple –
stretching the skin and increasing or decreasing the tension based on the depth
or height of the pitch you want to obtain – the actual fine tuning process can
be quite tedious, and in most cases it will last quite a while.

One of the best things to do while tuning your drums is to
tune them in smaller increments and do it more often. Many musicians tend to do
the opposite, using increments that exceed half a turn at a time and overly
stretching the skin from the very start. This practice is to be avoided, and
you’re usually better off with smaller turns and tuning your drums more
frequently. Percussion experts at My Music Supply can help you tune your drums.

Depending on the playing style, you might also want to go
easy on the dampening while tuning your drums – especially in the case of bass
drums. The approach you use should merely include pre-damped single ply heads.
You’ll find that in most cases, even though some experts might disagree, these
single ply heads could actually represent the only damping you’ll need in order
to gain the best possible sound you can imagine.

Article source here: Essential Tips for Tuning Your Drums Properly – What You Really Need to Know

Do’s and Don’ts of Teaching Yourself to Play an Instrument

cymbals online

Learning how to play a musical instrument on
your own, from books and tutorial videos, is a great adventure, but also one
that requires lots of discipline. Here are some of the things that you should
and should not do if you want to make the learning process as efficient as can
be:

  • -Don’t overdo it – practicing
    too much will take away the fun. You need to practice a bit every day, but
    don’t beat yourself if your performance is not of the same quality every day;
  • -Be patient with yourself –
    playing your instrument is likely to involve skills that develop over time.
    Allow your hands time to develop the dexterity needed for masterful playing,
    you will get better and better each day;
  • -Do record yourself – listening
    to your own playing might feel frustrating in the beginning, but you will learn
    to use your recordings as a tool that allows you to improve your technique; For instance, if you are interested in playing the cymbals, look for cymbals online training opportunities and record your efforts.
  • -Do meet other musicians –
    talking to and learning from other musicians is a great way to improve
    yourself. You can join musician forums or groups on social media platforms
    where you can share your experiences and difficulties and other will share
    theirs.

Article source here: Do’s and Don’ts of Teaching Yourself to Play an Instrument

Playing A Percussion Instrument Is A Stress Reliever

Playing any type of musical
instrument has beneficial effects on the nervous system, relieving stress and
releasing endorphins, but the physical effort and the hitting movement required
for playing percussion instruments makes the activity an even more efficient
stress reliever. Here is why setting up your kids with a 5 piece kids drum set will decrease their stress levels and build their confidence in playing:

  • -Transforming bad energy
    into good energy – stress causes tension, while playing a musical instrument
    releases tension, allowing the player to re-channel frustration and to
    transform into something that sound beautiful;
  • -Lowered blood pressure
    and heart rate – any contact with music, whether it is through listening to it
    or through playing it, reduces the physical symptoms of stress, allowing not
    only the soul and the mind of the player to calm down, but the player’s body as
    well;
  • -Improved resistance to
    stress – playing a percussion instrument has long-term benefits as well,
    improving the player’s ability to cope with stress and frustration in general;
  • -Improved cognitive function
    – playing a musical instrument, especially a percussion instrument improves
    memory as well as general alertness and problem solving, making it a beneficial
    activity for anyone looking for the right frame of mind to cope with day to day
    stress more efficiently.

Article source here: Playing A Percussion Instrument Is A Stress Reliever

Denver Percussion Hosts Mapex Day with Design Lab Creator, Russ Miller

Denver, CO (July 29, 2019)
Featuring the newly released, premier Mapex Black Panther Design Lab series,
Denver Percussion is hosting Mapex Day on August 17, 2019. The day will feature
sales on all Mapex’ kits, including the Armory, Saturn V, and Design Lab
series. As the West’s only major dealer for the new Design Lab series, Denver
Percussion will be hosting the keynote designer for the series, Russ Miller.
Miller will be available to talk about the Design Lab drums, including the
innovative Concept Hybrid Approach and SAS Sonic Effect Scale systems that make
the drums so groundbreaking. Russ Miller will be presenting a drum clinic that
evening from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM for a more in-depth look into the Design Lab
series. In addition to receiving specialized Mapex and Zildjian deals only
found during Denver Percussion’s Mapex Day, all who attend will have the chance
to win Chris Adler’s Black Panther “Warbird” Snare Drum. It’s a day you do not
want to miss!

Saturday, August 17
from 9 AM – 6 PM – Mapex Day with Design Lab Co-Creator Russ Miller.

Saturday, August 17 @
7:30 PM – Russ Miller presents a drum clinic at Denver Percussion. Tickets are
$30.

To purchase tickets
for Russ Miller’s drum clinic visit Denver Percussion’s website
http://www.mymusicsupply.com or call 866-737-2877.
All events are held at Denver Percussion’s retail store and studio,
located at 7399 S Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 80112.

About Black
Panther Design Lab Drums

The Mapex Black
Panther series has been a mainstay at the “top-of-the-line” for Mapex drums
since its launch in 2010. However, the new Black Panther Design Lab systems,
are nothing short of breakthroughs in instrument design: this “no holds barred”
series uses the cumulation of 30 years of engineering, innovation, artistry,
and drum-building science to form a completely new system of drums. Building
from the sound up, the Artist is involved at the very first stage of
conception, utilizing the Concept Hybrid approach. (This is very different from
most drum manufacturers, who pick materials and build prototypes to then show
artists.) The sound concept is first before the Design Lab team uses its
extensive knowledge of drum-building to make that sound a reality. This is the
foundation for the new “Design Lab” built and designed Black Panther system of
drums.

About Russ Miller

Russ Miller has been
one of the most internationally recognizable names in drumming, for the past
two decades. As a recording artist, he
has played on over five-hundred albums, selling more than 30 million copies. Russ’
movie credits number over 150 and have earned more than a Billion dollars at
the box office. His musical versatility
has led him to work with an incredible list of legendary artists, from Ray
Charles, Natalie Cole, Tina Turner & Bobby Caldwell to Andrea Bocelli,
Nelly Furtado, The Psychedelic Furs, Hilary Duff, Steve Perry, and countless
others. As a star of the Los Angeles
studio scene, Russ has topped dozens of Readers Polls globally, for his
contributions to studio drumming and popular music. Along with his many sideman recording and
touring credits, he has been a staple on T.V. “house bands” such as “American
Idol.” Russ has also led his band touring globally and has 6 solo albums.

About Denver
Percussion

As Colorado’s only
music store that specializes in drums and percussion instrument sales, rental,
repair, and instruction, Denver Percussion is here to help you learn something
new. Denver Percussion was founded in 2005 to supply professional percussion
instruments to music organizations in Colorado. Since then, Denver Percussion
has provided instruments all over the western United States, and to groups from
the Colorado Symphony Orchestra to The Beach Boys. Denver Percussion’s teaching
studios and retail floor have the most extensive collection of percussion instruments
in the state. Staffed by expert
percussionists, Denver Percussion strives to provide quality instruments and
instruction to Colorado and beyond.

Press Contact: (720)
219-9758

pete@denverpercussion.com

Article source here: Denver Percussion Hosts Mapex Day with Design Lab Creator, Russ Miller

Tips to Change the Way You’re Practicing Percussion


If you just bought a Paiste gong online, or have been practicing
percussion instruments for a while, but you think that the method you use for
practicing is no longer as efficient as you want it to be, here are some tips
for you about how to change and improve your practice routine:

  • -Never practice without
    a plan – even if you sit down to play a bit, just for the fun of it, plan your
    practice from beginning to end, from the warm-up all the way to the last hit;
  • -Maintain balance – if
    you are passionate about your music, you probably tend to practice a bit
    obsessively. While practicing the same movement over and over again might
    improve your dexterity, it is also very exhausting and your performance is
    likely to decrease after one or several very intensive sessions, so try to pay
    attention to the balance in your practice;
  • -Practice every day –
    practicing a musical instrument is a great exercise in discipline, so try to
    practice every day, even if the practice lasts only for a couple minutes because
    you can’t squeeze more into your busy day. Don’t forget that skipping practice
    will create precedent and you are more likely to skip several further practices,
    too, which might eventually lead to abandoning the instrument altogether.

Article source here: Tips to Change the Way You’re Practicing Percussion

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