Percussion Education Hub

In this guide, we are moving past the idea of just "hitting" the woodblock. We are going to explore how to treat it as a serious musical instrument, focusing on setup, mallet selection, and stroke execution to achieve a consistent, professional sound.

In this guide, we dive deep into the fundamentals of the slapstick, from basic safety and mechanics to nuanced musical decisions that separate a student performance from a professional one.

In this guide, we are diving deep into the fundamentals of concert tambourine playing to help you make thoughtful, musical decisions behind every note.

The best percussionists are not just those with the fastest hands, but those who can most thoughtfully translate rhythmic patterns into compelling soundscapes. Use the foundation of the rudiments to sketch your next great musical idea.

Instead of a click, try practicing your concert or rudimental snare drum music while listening to Electronic Dance Music (EDM).

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.

Master musical counting with pro percussionist Jonny Allen. Learn his expert process for building an unshakeable internal pulse and playing complex rhythms with confidence.

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.

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.

Snare drum basics aren’t just about sticking patterns, rudiments, and hand positions—they’re about the why behind your playing. Bella Scotti, a member of the Black Swamp Percussion Educator Network, reminds us that even seasoned players benefit from returning to fundamentals. Their approach blends physical technique with musical storytelling, encouraging students to think of the drum not as an object to hit, but as an extension of their voice. In this post, we’ll unpack Bella

When most percussion students think about “snare drum practice tips,” they focus on the obvious: stick control, tempo accuracy, and clean technique. But as Josh Jones explains, focusing only on the physical side of practice leaves two equally important elements underdeveloped: the mental and emotional.

We have all seen them; performers or clinicians that blow us away with their abilities and perfor­mance aptitude. The kind of players we describe to others as being "monsters" or "beasts" on their instruments, leaving us with feelings of both ineptness and inspiration. While there is a certain amount of innate talent involved in becoming a fantastic player, hard work and preparation should never, ever be overlooked or minimized.

Warming up isn’t just the first thing you do at the drum—it’s how you prepare your body and brain to play your best. Too often, student percussionists confuse warming up with jumping straight into practice, burning energy before building focus. In this post, we’re breaking down the warm up mindset with professional insights, examples, and a repeatable approach that sets you up for musical success.

Experimenting with different materials and approaches can make your practice sessions more dynamic, fun, and, most importantly, effective.

Focused and intentional daily practice can make a world of difference when it comes to honing your snare drum skills.

Fall weather is here, stay warmed up with this Triangle Exercise! 🍁 Jaime Esposito shares a quick and easy warm up for triangle. This triangle exercise is effective for players of all skill levels and can be completed in a short amount of time. Here is everything you need for today's lesson: 1) Meet Your Instructor 2) Set Up 3) 16th Note Grid 4) Excerpt Play Through 5) TLDR 6) Wrap Up Meet Your Instructor Jaime Esposito (they/them) is the Co-Founder of the Spectrum Per