First emerging in North America and Europe in the late 1920s, contemporary percussion practices have transitioned from the fringes of contemporary music to the forefront over the past 90 years. In the 1960s contemporary percussion practices reached Australian shores and a new generation of artists added their voices to this narrative. The role of Australian activity is not yet embedded in the wider narrative of international contemporary percussion, nor is the significance of developments in contemporary percussion practices fully realised in the context of Australian music history. In this monograph, political, social and cultural influences on this art form will be examined for the first time in a historical survey of contemporary percussion music in Australia over a 50-year period, from 1960 to 2010. The rise of the percussion ensemble in the twentieth century to a standard chamber music ensemble is now recognised as one of the major advances in western art music practice internationally. A focus will be placed on ensemble activity via definitive documentation and analysis of ensembles that are amongst the most pioneering and longest established of Australian contemporary music organisations, including the Australian Percussion Ensemble, Synergy Percussion, Adelaide Percussions, Nova Ensemble, Tetrafide Percussion, Taikoz, Clocked Out and Speak Percussion amongst others. Closing with a discussion of influences and identity, this historical narrative will expand our understanding of the impact of Australian contributions to the international contemporary music scene while simultaneously examining how developments in contemporary percussion have contributed to Australia’s cultural identity.

Music for Multi-Percussion: A World View is designed as a progression of complex skills required to play multi-percussion. Ten percussion solos and two duets are presented with the intention of being performed in recitals, auditions, studio classes and contests. The collection of solos and duets is organized into four categories which focus on specific skill sets: Category 1: Single instruments (or instrument set) Category 2: Changing implements on a single instrument (or instrument set) Category 3: Multiple instruments and implements Category 4: Three- and four-way coordination

At long last, the secrets of Tower of Power drummer David Garibaldi's groundbreaking funk/jazz fusion drumming techniques are presented in this innovative book. Whether you play rock, heavy metal, jazz or funk, you'll learn how to incorporate Garibaldi's contemporary "linear" styles and musical concepts into your playing as you develop your own unique drumset vocabulary. Funk/Jazz techniques are highlighted in chapters on development of the "Two Sound Level" concept, Four-Bar Patterns, Groove Playing and Funk Drumming, followed by a series of challenging exercises which include 15 Groove Studies and 17 Permutation Studies. These techniques are combined with modern musical ideas that will help you build a solid foundation and add finesse to your bag of tricks.

In Percussion Pedagogy, author Michael Udow offers a practical guide for students interested in teaching percussion as well as improving their technique. Udow first introduces the bouncing ball system, a technical analogy that teaches students to resist the effects of inertia. Throughout the book, the bouncing ball analogy develops into a core performance principle based on integrated motions resulting in refined tone quality and meaningful musicianship. The book applies this principle to several instruments including snare drum, timpani, marimba, vibraphone, multiple-percussion, tambourine and triangle, bass drum, cymbals, tam-tams, and a variety of Western concert and world percussion repertoire. In particular, Udow addresses the importance of coupling stroke types with stickings to set the foundation for precise rhythmic playing and expressive musicality. Chapters also focus on integrated rhythms, breath, and pulsed rhythms, anatomy and physiological health, psychological health, purposeful listening, and the importance of singing when practicing. Offering solutions to common performance problems, the book's many examples serve as a paradigm for future problem solving. A comprehensive companion website complements Udow's teachings with a wealth of video tutorials and listening examples.

This unique guide to world percussion features descriptions and performance techniques for 28 different instruments, plus exercises, traditional rhythms, and cultural information. 76 pages.