Percussion

Dynamic Markings

Please also include dynamic markings for percussion. Take note that certain instruments with a metallic tone such as tambourine or triangle cut through the orchestra very easily.

Instrument Separation

If possible, use the compact drum set notation unless it becomes hard to read and must be played by more than one person. If it is a rock-sounding piece, use the compact drum notation. Use your discretion or talk to the percussionist.

Drum Set Notation

Reference this for the corresponding drums/drum notations.

We currently only have an electric drum, which has:

• Hi-hat (G5 x)

• Ride cymbal (F5 x)

• Crash cymbal (left) (A5 x)

• Crash cymbal (right) (C6 x)

• Snare (C5)

• (for Toms, pick from E5 D5 B4 A4 depending on what pitch you want relative to each other)

• High Toms (E5)

• Mid Toms (D5 or B4)

• Floor Toms (A4)

• Bass drum (F4)

Separate drum set notation with TWO voices, where voice 1 corresponds to the hands and voice 2 the feet (usually just the bass drum). Exception: If a piece is not rock-based and uses the low tom has the bass drum, then make the low tom voice 2.

Example:

Make sure the rests are lined up on the topmost or bottommost line of the staff (like above).

Since drums are transients instruments, use whatever value that makes it the most legible (quarter or eighth notes, etc.)

For readability, try and make it clear where the quarter note falls in each measure. <EXAMPLES TO BE INSERTED>

Auxiliary Percussion

Auxiliary percussion is generally considered smaller instruments that can be held: tambourine, shaker, triangle, woodblock, wind chimes, claves.

When writing out auxiliary percussion, do not put each instrument into its own separate part unless absolutely necessary (e.g. if the parts overlap and are unplayable by one person). If possible, take a set of instruments that are not played simultaneously and have the percussionist switch between them as needed.

Each aux. Percussion part should be playable by a single percussionist. If more are needed, make more aux percussion parts labeled “Aux Perc 1, Aux Perc 2” etc.

Repeat Bars

Utilize the Repeat Bar(s) (one, two, or four) notation for clarity, like this.

Roll-Into Technique

When writing roll-into, use tremolo with a tied note. If it ends with a hard transient, add an accent symbol. If the roll ends choked, use a sixteenth with a staccato marking.

Example (cymbal roll into crash):