Measures of Success Percussion Book 1: Percussion Method Book

This method book stands apart because it treats percussion as a full musical voice from day one, not an afterthought to the band. The collaborative approach with Balmages, Loest, and Sheldon ensures the material aligns seamlessly with what winds and brass are learning, making your percussion section feel genuinely integrated rather than isolated.

Structured yet musical. The exercises build foundation skills without feeling rote, and the conceptual framework behind each lesson keeps students curious about why they're learning what they're learning.

Beginning percussion students in concert band, particularly those playing snare drum and orchestral percussion. This book works best in programs where percussion has dedicated instruction time and access to a range of instruments beyond just drumsticks.

• Start with breath-matched phrasing on your instrument. Even on snare drum, think in vocal phrases rather than individual notes to develop musical intention.
• Record yourself playing the exercises. Hearing back your own sound clarifies where the pulse is secure and where dynamics are wavering.
• Coordinate stick height with dynamic level. Teach students that proper stick control isn't about arm strength but about consistent rebound from the playing surface.

Use this as your primary percussion curriculum during the first year, running parallel to your main band method so percussionists develop technique alongside their ensemble peers. The book's assessment tools also fit naturally into your grading system and progress tracking.

• Snare drum technique and stick control
• Reading in single and double strokes
• Orchestral percussion mallet selection and execution
• Rhythmic precision and pulse awareness
• Dynamic control and musicality on unpitched instruments
• Understanding percussion's role in ensemble balance and texture