Essential Percussion Gear for the High School Educator
- Nathan Coles
- May 8
- 4 min read
Updated: May 12
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.
Table of Contents
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Snare Drums: The Heartbeat of the Section
The snare drum is arguably the most important instrument in the percussion section. It's the heartbeat of the ensemble, providing rhythmic drive and sonic punctuation. For high school percussion, several options cater to different needs and budgets.
Concert Maple Snare Drum
Models: CM6514BL (Black), CM6514CR (Cherry)
The Concert Maple snare drum is a budget-friendly option with an exceptional concert sound. The single throw-off snare systems is simple and reliable for players of all skill levels.
The 6.5" x 14" Concert Maple snare drum will give you a wider tuning range but the 5" x 14" model Concert Maple will give you an equally crisp and beautiful sound. If you're looking for a more compact instrument, consider the 3.5" x 13" Concert Maple Piccolo.
Pro10 Studio Snare Drum
Model: PT6514MD
The Pro10 Studio snare drum offers a wider dynamic range than the Concert Maple, with multiple cable types on a single snare unit. Still easy to operate and maintain with a single throw-off snare system and master tension knob.
Looking for something with more bells and whistles?
For more advanced playing, the SoundArt system offers 3 separate snare units for complex and nuanced performance.
Highest level of operation and performance with ability to engage & adjust 5 individual snare units.
Tambourines: Adding Shimmer and Texture
The tambourine offers a wealth of sonic possibilities. A 10" double row tambourine is a standard for band and orchestral performance. Professional players often emphasize the importance of choosing a tambourine that complements the musical style, whether it's a bright and shimmering sound or a more subdued and dry tone. Here's our recommendations:
Overture Tambourine
Model: TDOV
The Overture tambourine offers a professional level sound at an entry level price. The brass jingles offer a balanced sound and the synthetic tambourine head offers consistent performance in any environment.
SoundArt German Silver Tambourine
Models: TD3 / TD3S
The SoundArt German Silver tambourine features an iconic and traditional tambourine sound. German Silver has been used for centuries and Black Swamp carries on this tradition with the TD3 tambourine.
SoundArt Chromium/Bronze Tambourine
Models: TC1 / TC1S
The 10" SoundArt double row, Chromium 25 and Phosphor Bronze jingle tambourine is our most versatile and popular tambourine. The combination of jingles offers an extremely wide dynamic range and the best of both worlds when it comes to color, timbre, and balance.
Note: Instruments with a calf-skin head require more care and maintenance to prevent the head from breaking due to temperature and humidity changes. Follow our guide to ensure you're taking precautionary steps to protect your instrument. If you'd prefer things to be simpler for you and your students, purchase a tambourine with a synthetic head. Synthetic heads are unaffected by fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
Triangles and Beaters: Achieving Clarity and Color
The triangle is a deceptively challenging instrument. Achieving a clear, ringing tone with a wide dynamic range requires both a quality instrument and the right beater. A 6" steel triangle is a universal choice for high school percussion. Different beaters, such as steel rod-style or bronze end-weighted, will produce distinct tonal colors. A professional percussionist would advise educators to invest in a variety of beaters to explore the triangle's full expressive potential. It's also important to "hold that triangle!" correctly for optimal sound.
6" Artisan Steel Triangle
Model: AT6
The 6" steel triangle is a universal size and material for band & orchestral performance with a bright and clear tone and a wide dynamic range.
Select Triangle Beater Set
Model: SET-6
Steel, rod-style beaters for general purpose performance. Each set includes 3 different thickness beaters and a case for easy storage and transportation.
Spectrum Teardrop Triangle Beater
Model: SPEC4
Bronze, end-weighted beater with a teardrop shape for enhanced color and dynamics. The unique teardrop shape allows players to play easily in a variety of different dynamic levels based on the area of the beater they're using.
Triangle Clip
Model: TRCLIP
Gotta hold that triangle!
Looking an all-in-one solution?
Triangle Performance Pack
Model: TRPACK
Includes models:
AT6 / 6" Artisan Triangle
SET-6 / Double Select Beater Set
TGP / Triangle Gig Pack
TRCLIP / Triangle Clip
Woodblocks and Castanets: Articulating Rhythms
Woodblocks and castanets are essential for adding rhythmic articulation and percussive color to the ensemble. These instruments, when used thoughtfully, can greatly enhance the rhythmic precision and character of a high school percussion section.
Overture Castanet Machine
Model: OV-CM
Fiber castanets fixed to a ply wood base with Black Swamp's elastic-free tension system for a low maintenance solution with exceptional performance.
Overture Woodblocks
Models: OV-WB1, OV-WB2, OV-WB3
The Overture woodblocks are made from Solid Exotic Rubberwood with straight, tight grain and a clear and focused tone.
Essential Accessories: Streamlining Your Setup
Beyond the instruments themselves, essential accessories can significantly improve the functionality and organization of your percussion section. The RecPlate, for example, is an ultimate percussion mounting system that allows you to suspend or mount a variety of accessory instruments all in one place. Such accessories not only streamline setups but also make percussionists' lives easier.
RecPlate: Universal Percussion Mount
Model: RecPlate
The ultimate percussion mounting system: suspend or mount a variety of accessory instruments all in one place.
A Final Note
Selecting the right percussion gear for your high school program is an investment in your students' musical growth. By understanding the nuances of each instrument and considering the advice of professional players, you can create a vibrant and versatile percussion section that will enrich your ensemble for years to come.
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