Courses
The Music of Guinea
A study of music and culture from the Mande Empire with a special focus on the Malink'e, Sousou, and Baga people of Guinea, West Africa.
The Music of Ghana
A study of traditional music and culture chosen from the ten regions of Ghana, West Africa. Dances from ethnic groups such as the Ewe, Ga, Ashanti, Dargara, and Dagbamba will be taught.
World Percussion for Percussionists
A course for percussion principals focusing on abilities and techniques used to produce a wide variety of sounds from any hand drum (frame drum, dumbek, etc.).
World Percussion for Nonpercussionists
A course for nonpercussion principals focusing on the development of basic techniques and sound production for various frame drums. Music styles from around the world will be studied.
Studio Drumming Techniques and Applications
Application of drum set and percussion techniques to the studio recording environment.
Fundamentals of Improvisation for Percussion
Survey of performance techniques related to drum set solo and duet improvisation. Emphasis is placed on rhythm skill, coordination, thematic development, and style integration.
Survey of Latin American Hand Percussion Styles
A study of the history and development of the music of Latin America and the Caribbean, with particular focus on hand percussion playing.
Survey of Drum Styles since the '60s
A survey of the development of contemporary drumming styles. This course is a historical and stylistic continuation of PFSS-341.
Survey of Drum Styles to the '60s
A study of the development of the jazz drummer from its early period through the 1960s. Analysis through recordings and transcriptions of various playing styles.
Percussion for Music Therapy
Introduction to various percussion instruments, rhythms, and techniques that can be used to facilitate drum circles and interactive percussive events for the music therapy patient/client.
Percussion Class for Music Education Majors
Functional study of percussion instruments. Technical fundamentals of class instruction in music education. Use of representative elementary/secondary school methods and materials.
Marimba Transcription and Repertoire
A lab emphasizing skills essential for marimbists and percussionists to develop a personalized repertoire and contribute to performance literature for the marimba.
Mallet Keyboard Musicianship
This class is designed for the non-improvising player to develop musicianship skills by concentrating on the integration of harmony, melody, rhythm, and dynamics through the analysis and performanc
Mallet Lab 2
A mallet-keyboard performance lab for Percussion Department principals with some basic grounding in mallet work, including grips, scales, and reading experience.
Mallet Lab 1
A mallet-keyboard lab for percussion principals with no prior mallet experience.
Timbale Playing Styles 1
An introduction to timbale playing that will cover the history of the instrument from its Creole origins when it was still a timpani, to the contemporary timbale set-up: three cowbells, bass drum,
Brazilian Rhythms and Percussion 2
A continuation of ILPH-359, with emphasis on the drumming styles of northeastern Brazil.
Drumming Styles of Guinea
An intensive study of West African drumming styles from the Susu, Malink'e, and Bagba people of Guinea, West Africa.
Contemporary Techniques for Pop Percussion
With emphasis on R&B, rock/funk, swing, motown, and pop styles, this course explores the study of small hand percussion: tambourine, shakers, cowbells, and cabasa, as well as congas, bongos, an
Steelpan Techniques for Percussionists
A study of steelpan performance techniques designed for percussion principals.