Zenith Concepts

Zenith Brass Concepts

Tone	Use breath support, good posture and firm 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, Intonation, Tempo and Style, Dynamic Range

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 stick bag

Use an 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

Small Instruments 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 sides of cymbal (9 o'clock & 3 o'clock)

Use upstroke, not like on drumset crash

Crash Cymbals Aim leading edge 2” into other plate, not to edge; keep left plate stationary, move right plate into leftone edge hitting before the other, creating a "flam" feeling (but not a "flam sound!)

Gong (Tam-tam) Warm up with light taps before striking


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 stick bag
	Use an 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

Small Instruments	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 sides of cymbal (9 o'clock & 3 o'clock)
	Use upstroke, not like on drumset crash

Crash Cymbals	Aim leading edge 2” into other plate, not to edge; keep left plate stationary, move right plate into leftone edge hitting before the other, creating a "flam" feeling (but not a "flam sound!)

Gong (Tam-tam)	Warm up with light taps before striking