Percussion with Class: Percussion Method Book

Wallace structures this method around actual playing rather than abstract exercises. The inclusion of solos and ensemble pieces throughout means students aren't just drilling fundamentals in isolation; they're immediately applying snare drum, mallet, and timpani techniques in musical contexts that feel rewarding.

Clear and purposeful. Each page builds logically on what came before, with enough variety in the exercises and pieces to maintain interest without becoming scattered or overwhelming. The work feels grounded in what actually works in the practice room.

This method serves percussion students from their first lessons through early intermediate study, whether they're working with a private teacher or in a school ensemble setting. It's equally useful for band directors teaching percussion fundamentals or for section leaders who need a structured resource for independent study.

• Record yourself working through the snare drum exercises and listen back for evenness of stick height and volume across single-stroke rolls and rudiments. Your ear catches inconsistencies faster than your hands feel them.
• When moving between instrument families, give students time to adjust their approach to mallets versus sticks. The grip and rebound feel completely different, and rushing that transition leads to tension.
• Assign ensemble pieces in rotation so no one instrument dominates rehearsal time. The method's range of material keeps all percussionists equally engaged and challenged.
• Break the timpani passages into shorter sections for initial study. Pitch accuracy and smooth pedal transitions improve faster with focused, deliberate repetition than full-piece run-throughs.

Assign specific chapters to your percussion section based on what skills your ensemble needs most urgently. Use the solos as performance opportunities during concerts or chamber recitals, and rotate ensemble pieces into sectional rehearsals to strengthen intonation and balance across the battery.

• Grip and stick control across snare drum, mallets, and timpani
• Standard snare drum rudiments (single and double strokes, rolls, flams)
• Mallet selection and technique for vibraphone, marimba, and xylophone
• Timpani pedal technique and pitch accuracy
• Reading and executing accessory instrument parts (cymbals, bass drum, triangle)
• Ensemble balance and listening within a percussion section
• Musical phrasing and dynamics applied to technical passages