Band Today, Part 2: Auxiliary Percussion (Tambourine, Wood Block, Triangle, Claves, Maracas, Suspended Cymbal & Sleigh Bells) Book

Ployhar's method books work because they're built on decades of real classroom experience. Part 2 respects the intermediate percussionist's growing musicianship while systematically developing the technical and ensemble skills that turn auxiliary players into reliable section members. The sequential approach and proven pedagogical structure have made this series a standard in American band programs for good reason.

Colorful and rhythmically engaging. Auxiliary percussion often carries texture and rhythmic drive that young players don't immediately recognize as essential to the band's sound, and this method helps them understand how each instrument contributes to the overall musical picture.

Auxiliary percussionists in developing concert bands who have progressed beyond basic rhythm and are ready to refine their musicianship and ensemble awareness. This book serves students who need systematic instruction in the specific techniques, independence, and listening skills required to handle multiple instruments within a single rehearsal.

• Match stick height and rebound across all strikes on triangle and suspended cymbal to develop control and consistency within the ensemble.
• Establish which hand leads on claves and maracas at the start of rehearsal so students anchor rhythm work rather than chasing each other.
• Layer tambourine patterns into the harmonic rhythm of the piece instead of treating it as pure texture; listen through to exactly where the sound lands.
• Coordinate sleigh bell attacks with the nearest pitched or unpitched instrument to lock ensemble rhythm and prevent the shimmer from floating free of the groove.

Assign Part 2 as students advance from their first method book or when they join the concert band roster after playing mallets or drums in younger ensembles. Use it alongside your main band repertoire to build the auxiliary player's technical foundation in a way that directly supports your current concert selections.

• Reading and executing rhythmic patterns in single and mixed meters
• Technique and control on tambourine, wood block, triangle, claves, maracas, suspended cymbal, and sleigh bells
• Coordinating multiple percussion instruments within a single rehearsal
• Listening and responding to rhythmic cues from other sections
• Understanding mallet selection and grip for various auxiliary instruments
• Developing independence and ensemble interdependence as a supporting voice