Zenith Brass Concepts
 
Tone Use breath support, posture and good embouchure
Intonation Adjust your pitch
Tempo and Style Watch the baton
Dynamic Range Play six levels of dynamics
Articulation Play four lengths of notes
Slurs Use tongue height and horn angle
Rhythm Subdivide the beat
Release Release on the beat
Accidentals & Key Use a pencil to remember
Balance Listen for the melody and adjust your volume 
 
 


Every Note You Play

All the concepts are important, but you should be conscious of
and use apply these good habits each and every note you play

 
Tone   
  Use breath support, good posture and firm embouchure
Intonation    
  Adjust your pitch to play in tune
Tempo and Style
  Watch the baton.
Dynamic Range
  Play all six levels of dynamics
 
 

 
 Zenith Percussion Techniques
   
  Setup and Planning
    Write the needed instruments in the upper left hand corner of the first page!
    Put needed accessories on table (in front of you) for each piece
    Setup according to the diagram; modify if needed for each piece
    Bring your own snare drum
    Someone should bring a suspended cymbal
    Bring your own stick bag
    Use the larger board for the xylophone
    Use the Assignment sheet to track who plays what and what is needed for each piece
  Timpani
    Use a pitch pipe to tune timpani
    Tune up to the note
    Play 3” from the edge
    Roll slower on low notes, faster on high notes
    Use upstroke
    Tune base note to 32-D, 29-F, 26-Bb, 23-D  
         
  Bass Drum
    Generally at 30° angle
    Use left side muffle only for marches; other times be certain to muffle left side at ensemble cut-off
    Play BD/Cym accents loudly in marches
  Snare Drum
    Use larger sticks for field drum
    Turn off snares when not in use
  Accessories
    Hold all small instruments at eye level
    Use cord mallet on woodblock
    Use triangle vibrato on slow music
  Tambourine
    Use knuckles for loud and finger tips for soft
    Start shake rolls with a knuckle or finger tip
    Turn 15° sideways so jingles don’t sound after playing
  Suspended Cymbal
    Roll on opposite site of cymbal
    Use upstroke, not like on drumset crash
  Crash Cymbal
    Aim leading edge 2” into other plate, not to edge; keep left plate stationary, move right plate
  Gong (Tam-Tam)
    Warm up gong before striking