Quality of sound
- Set up and tune the instruments (if appropriate, e.g. timpani, surdos) independently with an awareness of purpose, doing any retuning when necessary
- Play and damp with control of the position where the sticks/hands strike the instrument, adjusting and effecting changes to the quality and character of the sound in response to the musical requirements
- Make appropriate choices of sticks/mallets/beaters/brushes with greater independence, adjusting choices according to the range of the instrument
- Play with a consistent, controlled sound across a large range of dynamics, including sf and fp
Discuss, and where possible demonstrate, how to change a drumhead.
Encourage learners to practise retuning timpani to a wider range of intervals:
- with reference to a given pitch
- with the use of relative pitch
Play a short piece several times, demonstrating ways of conveying different musical moods and characteristics. Ask learners to experiment in the same way.
Learners should now begin to make decisions about which techniques to use.
Ensure that learners develop an understanding of how different instruments produce their sound, and thus how playing techniques may need to vary, i.e. wherever possible, introduce learners to different types of stick/mallet and evaluate their appropriateness for different pieces and instruments.
Ask learners to practise fp rolls on cymbals, allowing the cymbal to settle before commencing the p aspect of the roll.
Ensure that learners:
- develop an awareness of the different roll speeds required
- do not overplay sf markings and possibly compromise the tone quality
Ask learners to practise soft cymbal rolls, giving a slight emphasis to the initial stroke to establish the sound.
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