Hi, I’m starting my junior year of highschool now as a percussionist hoping to make it my career. Even though it’s extremely tough, obviously being in a major orchestra would be great for that. But let’s say I were to shoot for that. I was accepted into all state this year on snare drum which I’m alright at rudimental playing. But I’ve never done any sort of audition on timpani or mallets. Timpani I play pretty well but mallets, the best thing I’ve done so far is yellow after the rain so I’m severely behind in that department. And even snare drum, I dont have great buzz rolls. My teacher which I started with about 6 months ago is really great. He has multiple past students that play in major orchestras like a the La Phil and other former students that are professors at great music schools as well. He says I ”got the goods” but I kind of feel like he’s bullshitting me and I kinda know that I myself have to make up the time, especially on mallets if I want to have the slightest chance at being successful. I feel like if I just follow along with his plan I will progress, but not nearly enough as needed. A lot of those former students who did great things studied with him for years before high school and I started a year and a half in. What should I try to do next, how should I use my time? should I try to join a youth orchestra or would that be a waste of time for me and should I just try to progress on my own?

I’m a percussion student looking to upgrade my xylophone to a better sounding one. I want to sell my current one and invest in a vintage one. (I have better mallets, as I know that will effect sound quality as well). Should I buy this xylophone for $1,030USD? (Including shipping to Australia), price is 650USDish

Hola a todos, soy estudiante de percusion y ahorita estoy cursando 3 semestre, estoy teniendo problemas y desmotivacion para el estudio de percusion "mas que todo de placa" porque el espacio es pequeño y apenas tenemos 2 marimbas y 1 vibrafono y casi siempre ocupado y entra gente mientras que estoy estudiando. cuando tengo apartado cubículo: 1. se llevaron el instrumento 2. esta ocupado por ensayos de semestres mas avanzados o festivales y todo eso. estoy muy perdido en todo esto. realmente me fastidia todo esto, que me recomiendan. cuales eran sus tips?

Any thoughts on the tuning of the drum or the overall sound?

Need help with getting a value of these drums and how to ship them.

We all know this one. Lots of teachers use it as an attention signal and have students clap the last two notes after a teacher claps the preceding ones.

Anyone know where it’s from?

so I’ve been wanting to do this duet with one of my friends (in the fog by Aaron locklear) but I don’t take private lessons since my parents are focusing on other payments and saving up to enroll me into this other very well music program where I can learn more, but that won’t be until around next year. I’m playing the vibes part for this song and ive played jazz vibes since 8th grade (I’m a sophmore now) and I have pretty good four mallet technique I’d say, except I haven’t used it in a piece like a duet or a solo yet so I fear I’m not that great. how would I learn this piece without a teacher and how would I practice it by myself ? I don’t have a mallet instrument at home but I do have a keyboard. if that helps. i really want to learn this piece !!

I'm thinking of an online music project to bring people together through music. The idea is to create a group of people who want to make friends and create music together! I'll be the singer, lyricist, and sound designer. There will be many elements beyond traditional instruments; the idea is to combine different sounds. The group will be held on Telegram. They also have a drummer; custom instruments are welcome to add a creative and unique touch to the project. Feel free to message me.

I’ve been told there’s a bunch of different kinds of fulcrums or grips you can have which each have their own uses or benefits. does anyone know where I can info on the different grips (other than traditional and match)

also for match grip would you generally recommend holding it with your index finger and thumb or middle finger and thumb?

thanks.

So since this semester started I’ve gone through two back packs, currently on my third. I keep most stuff in my bag and I use a humes upright bag so I don’t need a back pack for my mallets, just books and small gear. I usually keep my laptop, iPad, a travel practice pad, 7-10 books and all my little gear like clamps and triangle beaters. Does anyone have recommendations for a strong bag that would be able to hold all this stuff and maybe have a lot a compartments to keep it organized? I’m not too worried about price as I’m going to be using this until it’s on its last life.

You all were really kind about the first one I posted, so here's another! Pretty obsessed with this thing. I think I'm gonna keep making these.

The body is metal (brass), thick bolts, made in Pakistan, and according to the seller, it was acquired decades ago. It’s 10.5”

It’s aged quite a bit but sounds great.

Does anyone recognize aspects of this or can tell me about it?

I never played one before. But very excited to learn.

So im planning on doing tenor drums next year and currently the band director lent me the drums,there is no one else who can or has a motive to audition for it so im pretty much guaranteed the drums as we only have 1 pair

So i wanna know what should I exercise in my freebie to prepare for next year's band camp(im not going to a gym so I cant do anything for that)

I’m a high school pecussionist, and these are the only mallets for timpani my school owns. They once had felt on them but it was stripped off. The branding is very faded but I think it says Vic Firth.

Are these safe to use? I use my own mallets but most other percussionists dont have timpani mallets, so they use these. I don’t want the timpani to get damaged, so Id like to know if these are safe to use. Thank you to anyone who can help.

Damaged