Writing for percussion 1 - I got 99 problems but pitch ain't one

(the full form of this blog, with attachments, is here...  I can't post sound files on Blogger, sadly)

Sound & Noise

(or, I’ve got 99 Problems, but pitch ain’t one)

This is the first part of a 6 part course designed to help with the unique issues of writing for percussion. Each session will concentrate on a different aspect of percussion, and each will have assignments, and on-the-spot writing projects. The composition part of the course will gradually increase, as the course is focussed on composition.

Regardless of your interest, background or future, you will need to know about percussion. It forms a part of every single outlet of contemporary music making, whether that be concert hall, theatre, jazz or dance music (although here the principles of percussion writing will be of more use than the practicalities).

This course aims to explore the language of rhythmic music through experimentation, composition and recording. Some of the assignments will be more relevant to your own needs, some less, but I hope that all will be useful. Each of the six sessions will have a different starting point and should add up to give a 360º look at percussion.

I will be writing up the seminars in full form; this brief is just to keep things ticking over so I don’t get too far behind with my writing!

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