Percussion for Musicians: A Complete, Fundamental Literature and Technique Method for Percussion

This is a resource that respects your time and your students' intelligence. It reads like it was written by someone who understands both the classroom realities and the technical demands of percussion study, offering straightforward explanations without oversimplification.

Any educator or musician working regularly with percussion students will find this text invaluable. Whether you're a band director managing multiple percussion instruments, a private lessons teacher, or a percussionist expanding your own foundation, McCormick's systematic approach makes complex material accessible.

• Use the equipment descriptions to help students understand how instrument choice directly affects tone quality and projection in ensemble settings.
• Reference the sound concepts section when diagnosing intonation or tuning issues in your percussion section; often the problem lies in technique rather than the instrument itself.
• Build repertoire familiarity by having students explore the recommended pieces in small groups, then discuss how the techniques required connect to what they're learning.

Assign relevant chapters as supplementary reading when introducing specific instruments or techniques in ensemble rehearsal. Keep it as a reference text on your director's shelf for quick answers about equipment selection, maintenance, and repertoire recommendations.

• Understanding percussion instrument construction and materials
• Proper equipment selection and maintenance
• Sound production principles across multiple percussion instruments
• Reading and interpreting percussion notation
• Familiarity with standard percussion repertoire
• Technique fundamentals for mallets, sticks, and hands