Category: Videos

“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”

Learn the Parabuzzle Exercise!

James Christian

Here is a new snare drum exercise that utilizes the buzz, buzzle, parabuzzle, and several variations.

Click “Read More” to watch the video and download the sheet music.

Here is a new snare drum exercise that utilizes the buzz, buzzle, parabuzzle, and several variations. Watch the video to learn the exercise.

You can download the sheet music below. A full transcript of the video follows.

Click on the image to enlarge or click here to download in PDF format.

TRANSCRIPT

Introduction

Hello, everyone. This is James Christian with Read more “Learn the Parabuzzle Exercise!”

The Resonance Spectrum (includes Two Snare Drum Etudes)

James Christian

Resonance is a big buzzword in percussion today. Unfortunately, it is often discussed as if there is only one proper style and technique to achieve it. In the process, a great deal of music is ignored. Today I want to dismantle it a bit and show that there is a full spectrum of resonance. On one end, you have crisp, articulate playing. On the other end, you have open, resonant playing. Both approaches are necessary for different musical situations. This video showcases two snare drum etudes played with different approaches to demonstrate the variety of techniques.

You can download the etudes for your own enjoyment below. Read more “The Resonance Spectrum (includes Two Snare Drum Etudes)”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, part 7 of 7: Beyond the Basics

James Christian

The final installment is here:  today we go beyond the basics of multi-tenor drumming!  So far, we have covered the essential skills every tenor drummer should know. Now I bring you more advanced concepts that are sure to Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, part 7 of 7: Beyond the Basics”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, part 6 of 7: Cool Stuff You Should Know

James Christian

When I released the first video in this marching tenor drums series, I gave a broad overview of what each video would cover.  I listed video #6 as “Essential Vocabulary.”  But honestly, doesn’t “Cool Stuff You Should Know” have a better ring to it?  Either way, this lesson covers the essential tenor vocabulary not previously covered.  After watching this, you will Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, part 6 of 7: Cool Stuff You Should Know”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 5 of 7: Sweeps & Scrapes

James Christian

It’s time to work on sweeps and scrapes! Check out the newest video:

 

Sweeps, scrapes, split doubles–whatever you prefer to call them, this video breaks them down in detail.  You’ll find a lot here. Learn the differences between adjacent sweeps, non-adjacent sweeps, spock sweeps, outward sweeps, inward sweeps, and push-pull sweeps.  A full transcript of the video is below, along with links to the solos mentioned.

I would really, really like to hear your feedback on this particular video.  I think the terminology descriptions have the potential to revolutionize the Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 5 of 7: Sweeps & Scrapes”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 4 of 7: Crossovers

James Christian

It’s crossover week! Check out the newest video:

This 7-part series becomes more interesting as crossovers–a true staple of tenor drumming–are explored in a variety of ways. This video covers 13 crossover patterns, including a long “Crossover Builders” exercise that goes through all 18 crossover positions.

The “Crossover Builders” exercise and a transcript of the video are included below.  Just a reminder:  If you don’t already have Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 4 of 7: Crossovers”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 3 of 7: Building Fast Singles

James Christian

Today we focus on building fast singles!  In part 1, we covered playing zones and basic movement.  In part 2, we covered basic around patterns.  Now, we build upon this foundation and start Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 3 of 7: Building Fast Singles”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 2 of 7: Around Patterns

James Christian2 Comments

In part 1, we started with general movement principles, and we now come to basic around patterns with standard drum rudiments. This is the material I usually show first-time players on day one (exercises included below).

If you have been playing tenors for any length of time, these patterns should Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 2 of 7: Around Patterns”

How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 1 of 7: Basic Movement

James Christian

Over the years, many of my students have wanted to learn how to play marching tenor drums. As much as time allowed, I would work with them individually and share the resources I had. Unfortunately, I was limited by space and time. Some of the existing resources were helpful, but students still struggled to know how to go forward on their own. Well, I saw a need and decided to do something about it. In order to multiply my impact and provide a ton of new material, I Read more “How to Play Marching Tenor Drums, Part 1 of 7: Basic Movement”