Instrument Maintenance
By Mark Carson and Doug Wallace (October, 2007)
This article is the first in a series of articles presented by Doug Wallace Percussion Publications aimed at providing Band and Orchestra Directors with practical knowledge concerning the use, tuning, maintenance, and repair of percussion instruments. Our first article will be a quick tour of the percussion section, focusing on getting to know the back of the room, and all of those instruments that may be deteriorating while attention is focused elsewhere... Read More
Care and Tuning of Your Concert Snare Drum
By Mark Carson (February, 2008)
The snare drum is the most used instrument in your percussion section, and a favorite of many young percussionists. As a result of constant use, the sound can easily deteriorate gradually over time, which is sometimes not noticed until the drum sounds really terrible... Read More
Care and Tuning of Your Concert Bass Drum
By Mark Carson (July, 2008)
The bass drum is the foundation of your concert band or orchestra. In a concert band setting, the bass drum plays a very important rhythmic role in addition to adding color and depth to the sound of your ensemble. Next to the snare drum, it is the most used percussion instrument in your band. In the orchestra, the bass drum plays more of a supportive role, and is the most used instrument after timpani... Read More
Care of Your Cymbals, Tam Tams, Gongs and Crotales
By Mark Carson (October, 2008)
All of these bronze instruments make wonderful sounds and require minimal care in order to provide years of service... Read More