Brian
Del Signore
Principal Percussionist of Houston Symphony
"What I like most about Black Swamp Percussion instruments is that the quality of sound and durability are always of the highest caliber. These instruments are classics! We have been using Black Swamp instruments at Houston Symphony since Black Swamp was founded. Love them! They are all very high quality and the company is always there with support for its customers."
Brian's Percussion Pick
The Black Swamp tambourine is now the standard by which all others are judged. They've been making artisan tambourines for decades and they are the go-to tambourines for Houston Symphony percussionists. I must say that every instrument they make is of exceptional sound quality and product quality. We trust Black Swamp instruments.
Artist Q&A
What is the oldest BSP instrument you own? What was your first?
Either a tambourine or my multi-sonic snare drum
What does your typical practice routine look like? Do you have a favorite place to practice?
I practice at home most of the time, because I own most instruments that I play at the symphony. My practice routine depends on what is coming up to be played at the symphony. If it is difficult, I start weeks or months ahead of time.
What is your favorite practice technique? Anything creative or out of the ordinary?
I practice a lot of xylophone and soft snare drum. These are two difficult skills that are necessary for orchestral percussionists. They are difficult to develop, master, and maintain. I also spend extra time on other mallet instruments, vibes, marimba and glockenspiel. Cymbal and tambourine technique is important to develop, but once developed doesn't take as much maintenance time as the instruments I mentioned above.
What is your favorite performance memory?
Houston Symphony performed John Adams' Dr. Atomic Symphony, and Shostakovich's Symphony #11 in Moscow's Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in 2012. I'm not sure American orchestras will get back there anytime soon.
What inspires your creativity?
I love new music, especially for orchestra. There are exciting pieces continually being written by modern composers. I write too, and hearing ideas that others are coming up with excites me. Especially when they use percussion well and innovatively.