Accurate Reading On Mallet Keyboard Instruments by Al Payson
To attain any kind of note accuracy on a mallet-keyboard instrument "eyeball" the bars. This is not a problem when the music is memorized. But it is a problem when playing from a printed part.

Balancing a Timpani Head by Al Payson
Or: How to turn an ogre into a handsome prince

Blazing a Trail by Donald DeRoche
The path that leads from drummer to percussionist and on to musician is a vital one

Dampening Drills by Jerry Tachoir
Teach students early that a vibraphone is not just a marimba with a pedal

Equipped for Success by Jim Catalano
Turning beginning drummers into total percussionists starts with the right kit

Percussion Crossroads by Al Payson
Hooray! I've completed an elementary snare drum course. So, what's next?

Percussion Pointers by George Frock
How to help your young timpanists achieve greater musical maturity

Timpani Care & Tuning
Care and Tuning of Your Timpani Drum

Care and Tuning of your Ludwig Snare
The snare drum is the most important part of your drum outfit next to the bass drum pedal

Care and Tuning of your Ludwig Timpani Drum
Learn how to get the most out of your timpani.

The Vibraphone as a Solo Instrument by Bill Molenhof
Before a student or performer can approach the vibraphone from a player's technical viewpoint, the preliminary essential of opening your mind and ears as a listener must become a concentrated effort

Clarity in Executing Lines on the Vibraphone Through the Use of Dampening by Jerry Tachoir
A vibraphone is not a marimba with a pedal!

Chords and Voicing for Jazz Vibes in 10 Steps by Jon Metzger
Today's jazz vibes player enjoys many roles

Timpani Improving Tone Quality and Musicianship by George Frock
It is very important that the timpanist be aware of the correct playing range of each drum

Timpani Techniques by Al Payson
Clean, precise, silent muffling is an absolute necessity for polished performance.

The Art of Transcribing by Steve Fidyk
Transcribing can improve your reading, dictation skills, and help stimulate creativity

Too Many Rudiments? by Cary Nasatir
While there are 40 rudiments endorsed by the Percussive Arts Society, there are nine that are mostly found in concert band and orchestra literature.

That (Discouraging?) First Snare Drum Lesson by Al Payson
Teaching Techniques for beginners

The Triangle by Cary Nasatir
Taking a look at an instrument that doesn't get the respect it deserves...the triangle

Rehearsal Techniques: Dynamics and Balance by James Neilson
Ways to clarify routine rehearsal procedures in your classroom.

Teaching Drum Set by Steve Fidyk
Drum set, if used effectively, can prove to be one of the most musical instruments in your school program.

Left Hand Development by Denny Hair
The need for left hand development comes from the unevenness of the hands when drumming.

Timpani Tuning: Developing Aural Acuity by Al Payson
There are two aspects of learning to tune timpani.

How to Choose a Good Set of Cymbals by Gene Markiewicz
This article will focus on the actual cymbals and what I recommend to choose good sounding drum set cymbals

Tapping Into Tambourine Technique by Cary Nasatir
Like many auxiliary percussion instruments, the tambourine can present some real challenges for a young player.

Beat the Boom by Cary Nasatir
Remember those pictures from ancient drum books that taught how to play the concert bass drum? Whether it was some spiffy kid in a sharkskin suit or someone's grandfather in a bow tie, they showed some techniques that by now should have gone the way of their clothing style.

Keynotes Magazine®, a Conn-Selmer Institute online music education resource, has reached a goal of communicating with 20,000 music educators and players each month. Articles come from a wide variety of sources including leading educators from both the present and past, professional musicians, music education advocates and unique resources from the educational legacies of Bach, Selmer, CG Conn, Leblanc, Ludwig and other renown American instrument manufacturers.

The online magazine Conn-Selmer Keynotes® is an ongoing reference source and support network for the professional growth music educators from around the world. Started in the spring of 2004, Keynotes has published over 450 music related articles on over 35 topics. Popular topics include teacher motivation, musicianship, marching and rehearsal techniques, and well as articles on specific instruments.

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