I&E Contest Archive Scores Added!

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You can now see the I&E contest scores from a wide number of national drumming contests. (“I&E” stands for “individual & ensemble.”) These contests are where drummers compete against each other to test their mettle against some of the best performers in the world. You can now see the archives of individuals contests from DCI, DCA, PAS, VFW, and more!

Most of these were originally archived by Rick Beckham on the now-defunct Rudimental Webpage. He has graciously shared the data he collected and updated them to include contests from recent years. He has collaborated on making this information available again, and he deserves many thanks from the drumming community at large. Individuals contests are where many drumming innovations first began, and these archives are an important part of our history. Check out the archives by clicking here!

How I Went from “Okay” to 7-Time Tenor Drum Champion (or The Value of Sharing What You Know)

James Christian

James tells his story about growing up in a small town with a humble band program, studying with rudimental drumming master Rick Beckham, the value of investing in others’ lives by sharing what you know and love, and taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.

 

 

 

TRANSCRIPT

Hi, everybody. This is James Christian with RudimentalUniversity.com. And today’s video is entitled: “How I Went from ‘Okay’ to 7-Time Tenor Drum Champion.” So this is really just my story. I haven’t really told it before. So I wanted to let you know, because I thought some people might find it interesting and find some good inspiration from it.

 

My Story

 
So anyway, I grew up in a very small Texas town northeast of Dallas, and literally the town had one stoplight, so it was pretty small. The high school at the time Read more “How I Went from “Okay” to 7-Time Tenor Drum Champion (or The Value of Sharing What You Know)”

A New Focus (or What Happened to The Percussion Circle?)

James Christian

Wondering what’s been going on with the site lately? James gives you the latest update. This covers a wide range of topics—the effects of COVID on the music education industry, composing & arranging, James’ personal story of recent events, and a new focus for Rudimental University. You can watch the video or read the transcript below.

 

TRANSCRIPT

Hello, everybody. This is James Christian with RudimentalUniversity.com. And this video is entitled: “A New Focus (or What Happened to The Percussion Circle?)”

The Percussion Circle No Longer Being Made

Well, if you have followed this channel, you know that the videos more recently have corresponded with an online publication called The Percussion Circle magazine. And unfortunately, that magazine is currently not being released anymore.

And I’ll go into more on that in a little while. But basically, it was Read more “A New Focus (or What Happened to The Percussion Circle?)”

The Percussion Circle – Issue #4: All Paradiddle Issue!

James Christian

 

Paradiddles abound in issue #4! Scroll down to read.

This is our summer issue, and it’s all about the paradiddles! As always, the music and articles are free to print and copy. (If you missed previous issues, you can read them here.)

In this issue, every article contains exercises—all centered around the paradiddle family—that can be played individually or as an entire drum line. If you practice diligently, you’ll find that these doing a great job of building your coordination and chops. These would be great for your entire section to practice during the summer.

Be sure to share this issue with students, percussion teachers, and anyone you know who might find it helpful. Enjoy!

Here is issue #4 of The Percussion Circle:

Read more “The Percussion Circle – Issue #4: All Paradiddle Issue!”

The Percussion Circle – Issue #3

James Christian

Spring percussion is in the air!
     The Percussion Circle #3 is in your care.
Enjoy music for marimba and snare;
     If you like it, be sure to share!

It’s our spring percussion issue! (Read previous issues here.) We have some great articles, exercises, and music prepared for you—with some new twists. As always, the music and articles are free to print and copy. Be sure to spread the word far and wide. Share it with students, friends, music teachers, and fellow percussionists!

Please let us know your thoughts on this issue, and don’t forget to order your t-shirt of this issue’s cover! Enjoy!

Here is issue #3 of The Percussion Circle:

Read more “The Percussion Circle – Issue #3”

The Percussion Circle – Issue #2

James Christian1 Comment

 

The second issue of The Percussion Circle is here! (If you missed issue #1, check it out here.) As always, this is free to copy and print. Please share with students, friends, and complete strangers. (Trust us. They’ll appreciate it.) Check out the “Name the Letter Column Contest.” Be sure to order your t-shirt of this issue’s cover. And write to us and let us know what you like, what we can improve, and what you’d like to see in the future.

Last but not least, we wish you a very happy New Year!

Here is issue #2 of The Percussion Circle:

Read more “The Percussion Circle – Issue #2”

Percussion Magazine: The Percussion Circle – Issue #1

James Christian2 Comments

We have been promising some big things for a while now. Well, this one is pretty exciting! We are now regularly publishing a percussion magazine. Allow us to introduce… (drum roll, please)… The Percussion Circle!

Each issue is full of sheet music, exercises, practice tips, contests, and more! This magazine is being released completely free to the entire percussion world. It is especially designed as a resource for percussion instructors and their students, but there is enough material to keep any percussionist happy for many hours.

Videos of the exercises in the articles will gradually be released after publication, so check back frequently. Better yet, subscribe to our e-mail list and follow our social media channels to make sure you never miss any updates.

To view the magazine in full screen, use the viewer below. Click on the square in the bottom right corner. You can zoom in and out from there. You can also print copies for your convenience. (This feature is currently only available on Chrome browsers. We are looking to expand this option.)

Finally, we want to give a special thank you to Keiser Southern Music and HingeStix for their efforts in making this first issue possible. Please show them some appreciation and visit their sites. (If you want to advertise with us, send an e-mail to [email protected], and we will send you the details.)

Without further ado, here is the very first issue of The Percussion Circle: Read more “Percussion Magazine: The Percussion Circle – Issue #1”

“Auld Lang Syne” for Marimba Vibraphone, or Xylophone

James Christian

Enjoy the holidays with a short four-mallet keyboard percussion solo. It can be performed on marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone.

To celebrate the New Year, we often hear people sing the traditional Scottish folk tune “Auld Lang Syne.” What better way to commemorate the occasion than with a new four-mallet arrangement for marimba? (It can also be played on xylophone or vibraphone by taking it up an octave.) The sheet music can be downloaded at the link below.

The primary techniques utilized are double vertical strokes and single independent strokes. Additionally, a few simple rolls are used throughout. This arrangement is loosely inspired by Charles Grobe’s Melodies of the People: New Variations on Old Tunes No. 7—”Auld Lang Syne” with Brilliant Variations, Op. 412, published in 1854.

Enjoy! Happy New Year!

 

Audio only:

Read more ““Auld Lang Syne” for Marimba Vibraphone, or Xylophone”