Percussion Education Hub

Outfitting a high school percussion section can be daunting. Beyond the basic drums and cymbals, lies a world of nuanced instruments and techniques that can elevate your ensemble's musicality. In this guide, we'll explore essential percussion gear for the high school educator, with insights from a professional player on achieving depth and subtlety in performance.

Dive into the essential musical concepts that define successful multiple percussion playing, guided by professional insights from Ryan Lewis. Whether you’re tackling your first solo or refining your ensemble skills, this guide will help you turn chaos into clarity—and gear into artistry.

Lt. Kijé is one of those deceptively simple orchestral snare drum excerpts that separates the good from the great. At soft dynamics and fast tempos, every detail counts—and audition panels are listening for nuance, not just notes. In this lesson, Shaun Tilburg, Principal Percussionist of the Phoenix Symphony, walks us through his thoughtful, musical approach using his daily method, The Regimen.

Castanets may be small, but in the right hands, they can add color, character, and complexity to some of the most exciting moments in orchestral music. In this lesson, Dr. John W. Parks IV from Florida State University breaks down how to make musical decisions that go beyond simple execution—focusing instead on expression, dynamics, and style.

For percussionists playing instruments with natural calf heads, learning how to protect and maintain your tambourine is as essential as practicing your rhythms. In this guide, we’ll break down how to preserve your sound in extreme conditions, when to choose synthetic heads over calf, and what to do when your instrument needs a refresh.

Shake rolls are just the beginning. If you're ready to take your tambourine playing to the next level, it’s time to dive into the world of hybrid strokes—a combination of shaking and striking that gives you unmatched control and musical expressivity. This post breaks down the approach step by step, so you can build coordination, refine your sound, and apply it musically.

When the tempo kicks up and the dynamics demand more than one hand can deliver, your tambourine technique needs to evolve. That’s where the knee/fist method comes in—used by top orchestral players to maintain clarity, articulation, and musical shape in high-energy passages. In this post, we’ll break down how to play tambourine using this method, guided by performer and educator Keith Aleo, and offer practical advice for applying it in your own playing.

In this lesson, professional percussionist and educator, Keith Aleo shares a deceptively simple but powerful method that unlocks fast, reliable playing with two hands—plus a bonus tip for achieving a soft, dry sound when needed.

The tambourine can be a bold, splashy instrument—but what happens when the music demands restraint? In this post, we explore a refined technique for achieving soft, articulate tambourine sounds, guided by the legendary Keith Aleo. Whether you’re prepping for orchestral excerpts or elevating your control in a chamber setting, this deep dive will help you think musically, not just mechanically.

When it comes to concert castanets, there’s a big difference between just getting the job done and owning the moment. At Black Swamp Percussion, we’ve spent nearly three decades perfecting the design and sound of our Pro Handled Castanets—and it shows. These instruments don’t just sound great; they feel right in your hands, respond beautifully across dynamics, and stand the test of time in concert halls around the world.

The Special Sauce Tambourine Roll is perfect for quick transitions that would otherwise be awkward with traditional methods.

As a student percussionist, you’re not just developing technique—you’re building your musical voice. That means learning how to make smart, intentional decisions, even when the part looks simple.