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Percussion Education Hub
Where percussionists learn, grow, and get inspired.
percussion Lessons
Lessons for students and professionals for snare drum, tambourine, triangle, and more.
Buying guides
Detailed guides to selecting the perfect percussion instrument for your needs and budget.
instrument
deep dives
In depth looks at a selection of Black Swamp instruments outlining their features and benefits.
educator resources
Lesson plans, PDF downloads, inspiring interviews and more for percussion educators.
Get Bored! Meditative Practice for Expressive Percussion Performance
Today, we're diving into a powerful, often overlooked style of practice: the slow, excruciatingly repetitive kind—a method that builds deep physical and mental endurance, much like a weightlifter builds muscle mass. This approach is universally applicable across all your percussion instruments. It's time to learn how to make thoughtful musical decisions by mastering your fundamental connection to the instrument.
1 day ago
Four Ways to Play Four Sea Interludes on Tambourine
When you look at a famous orchestral excerpt, do you see just a set of rhythms, or do you see a menu of musical possibilities? The tambourine part in Benjamin Britten's "Storm" from the Four Sea Interludes is a perfect example. It's short, it's soft, but it’s packed with character. Many players learn one way to play it, but a professional thinks about why they choose a specific technique. Today, we're going to explore four different ways to approach this passage.
Nov 7
Counting with Conviction: Jonny Allen's Guide to Rhythmic Stability, Subdivisions, and Internal Pulse
Master musical counting with pro percussionist Jonny Allen. Learn his expert process for building an unshakeable internal pulse and playing complex rhythms with confidence.
Oct 24
A Starter Guide to Understanding and Practicing the Polyrhythm
Simply put, a polyrhythm is the simultaneous use of two or more contrasting rhythms that are not easily divisible by each other. This creates a complex, layered, and often tension-filled rhythmic texture.
Oct 17
A Deep Dive into the SoundArt Snare Drum Series
The SoundArt snare system encourages a deeper relationship with your instrument, transforming technical adjustments into musical choices. It allows you to approach every piece with confidence, knowing you have a reliable, beautifully voiced instrument ready to respond to your every artistic command.
Oct 10
Shostakovich's 15th Symphony: Mastering the Multi-Percussion "Clock" with Kyle Acuncius
https://www.blackswamp.com/post/shostakovich-s-15th-symphony-mastering-the-multi-percussion-clock-with-kyle-acuncius
Oct 3
Mastering the Whisper: Achieving Expressive Soft Triangle Playing with Tim Adams
Have you ever wondered how professional percussionists achieve those ethereal, barely-there triangle notes that perfectly cap off a musical phrase or an entire movement? It’s more than just playing quietly; it’s about making a thoughtful musical decision that serves the piece. Today, we're diving deep into the art of soft triangle playing.
Oct 2
The Pro10 Studio Snare Drum Deep Dive: Features, Hardware, and Signature Sound
Choosing the right concert snare drum is a critical decision. You need an instrument with a sophisticated voice, reliable hardware, and the versatility to handle any musical demand. The Black Swamp Pro10 Studio snare drum was engineered to be that instrument—a dependable, professional-quality drum for ensembles, studios, and educational programs.
Sep 29
Hear the Difference: A Sonic Guide to Choosing the Right Snare Drum with Gerardo Capaldo
For the dedicated percussionist, the journey from playing notes to making music involves a series of thoughtful choices. Perhaps the most important one is selecting the right instrument for the job. Why does the snare drum in a Shostakovich symphony sound so different from the one in an opera by Verdi? In this guide, we’ll move beyond gear lists and dive into the world of sound, using popular orchestral excerpts to show how a professional player chooses the right tool for the
Sep 26
From Constraint to Creativity: Composition Lessons with Von Hansen
For many aspiring composers, the blank page (or the empty staff) can feel like an overwhelming frontier. The sheer endlessness of musical possibilities, while exciting, can often lead to creative paralysis. But what if we told you that some of the most profound compositional breakthroughs come not from limitless freedom, but from thoughtful, self-imposed boundaries? Join us as we delve into this powerful concept with insights from a seasoned professional.
Sep 15
The Voices of Black Swamp: How Artists and Educators Shape Our Sound
At Black Swamp Percussion, our journey is deeply intertwined with the vibrant community of artists and educators who not only use our instruments but actively contribute to their evolution. Tim Church, our VP of Sales and Marketing, shares insights into how these crucial relationships have shaped Black Swamp Percussion over the past 30 years, transforming it from a small operation into a global presence in the percussion world.
Aug 29
Mastering The Metronome: Practice Tips to Improve Your Timing
Metronome practice is not about becoming a machine. It’s about training your inner sense of time so you can make musical choices with freedom. Whether you’re holding a delicate roll or locking into a funky backbeat, these practice tips from John Parks help you hear—and feel—time in a deeper way.
Aug 25
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