Tips

IMEA Professional Development Conference

IMEA Professional Development Conference January 12-14, 2017 Grand Wayne Convention Center Ft. Wayne, Indiana If you’re attending the IMEA conference next week, here’s a list of performances and clinics with percussion interest you should check out.  This year, there will be a special “Percussion Focus Day” on Saturday of the conference!  There is an option to purchase a one-day Saturday pass for those that might want to take advantage of this, but cannot make the previous two days. Also, make sure to stop by the Chops Percussion/Paige’s Music booth and say hello! Percussion Focus Day – Saturday, January 14 8:00     Clinic: Auxiliary Percussion Techniques – Jim Catalano (Ludwig/Musser) 9:00     Clinic: Fundamentals of Keyboard Percussion and Wellness – Laurel Black (James Madison Univ.) 10:00   Clinic: Designing an Effective MS/HS Percussion Curriculum – Aaron Griesser (Penn HS) 11:00   Performance: Butler University Percussion Ensemble – Jon Crabiel 1:15     Performance: All-State Percussion Ensemble 2:30     Clinic: The Fundamentals of West African Djembe and Dundun – Andy Miller (Indiana Univ.) 3:30     Clinic: My Approach to Percussion Composition – Casey Cangelosi (James Madison Univ.) Other Conference Sessions with Possible Percussion Interest: Friday, January 13 11:00   Performance: Ball State Wind Ensemble 12:00   Performance: All State Jazz Ensemble 1:00    

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Jan 3, 2017 No Comments

Your First Drumset

We share this blog post at this time each year.  Christmas is a popular time for kids to get their first kit, so it seemed appropriate to share this again.  myfirstdrumset.com is a great resource for those just getting started in the world of drumming. Are you taking up drumming for the first time? Are you buying a drum set for the drummer in your life this holiday season? If so, you may want to start at myfirstdrumset.com. This website was created by the people at Pearl Drums with the idea of educating not only the drummer, but the parent or loved one who is buying the set. Here are the highlights: A “Welcome to Drumming” video with appearances by some of the top names in the drumming world. A step-by-step video that shows you how to correctly unpack and set up your drum set. Video tips on tuning, warming up, and playing your first beats on your new drum set. A drum set buying guide. A very informative FAQ section. Statistics that show what a great thing drumming can be for the mind, body, and spirit! If you or someone you love has decided that this is the year to take

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Dec 27, 2016 No Comments

Practice More with the Remo Silent Stroke Heads and Zildjian L80 Cymbals

As a young drummer, I sometimes had a hard time finding ways to practice. The desire to practice was there, but the noise associated with my practice drove everyone else in my house nuts. Today’s drummers have a little more luck in that department. There are some great products out there that can quiet your kit down, so that means more practice time for you! Two of the best products on the market for volume control are the Remo Silent Stroke drumheads and the Zildjian L80 Low-Volume cymbals. Now you can buy them both together! Introducing the Zildjian Quiet Pack (insert pack picture here). If you’re unfamiliar with these products, check out this video from YouTube user, Buck A.: [arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/BrrZXrQBO5k”] The pack will sell for $349.95 and will be available for a limited time only. Email us at [email protected] or call 877-900-DRUM to place your order today!

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Nov 22, 2016 No Comments

Why You Should Attend PASIC 2016

Guest post today from Justin Ramirez – Percussive Arts Society Join us for #PASIC16! The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) will be taking place in Indianapolis, IN in only a few short weeks, November 9-12! Reasons to Attend: Be inspired by watching the best drummers and percussionists from around the world! Hang with over 5,000 drummers and friends in the industry See and Play the latest drum and percussion gear in the Expo Hall! Meet your favorite artists and participate in hands-on workshops and masterclasses!

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Oct 25, 2016 No Comments

It’s All In The Bag

Stick & Mallet Packs for Beginning Band and Beyond Welcome back to the Chops blog. Today we’re going to cover the different options available for stick and mallet packs.  There are great options for starting a young percussionist, as well as expanded packs for the intermediate student.  These sticks and mallets should last for many years and can be used at every level (beginner, intermediate, high school and college).  Our recommendations include packs from Vic Firth and Innovative Percussion.  Both make great quality products you can trust.  The only difference is what’s included in the packs.  A young percussionist should start with one of these packs, then add to it as they progress through their percussion education. I’ve broken the packs down into four categories: Basic packs, Core packs, Intermediate packs, and Expanded Core packs. Basic Packs Basic packs include the minimum supplies every young percussionist needs: Concert Snare Drum Sticks Plastic Mallets for Bells and Xylophone Rubber Mallets for Bells, Xylophone, Marimba and Vibes Stick Bag RECOMMENDED BASIC PACKS:

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Sep 27, 2016 No Comments

2017 WGI Independent Percussion Auditions

Welcome back to the Chops blog.  Audition season for indoor percussion is upon us and many of you may be considering marching in an Independent percussion ensemble this winter.  Indoor percussion, although a relatively young activity, has become very popular, both locally and nationally, over the past 10-15 years.  Over this time, many “Independent” ensembles have been started to give percussionists the opportunity to continue performing after they graduate from high school.  It also gives those whose high schools do not have a performing ensemble, an opportunity to join and experience the thrill of performing in an indoor percussion ensemble.  For those of you not familiar with this, there are “Scholastic” and “Independent” classifications in indoor percussion.   Here is the class description from the WGI website: Scholastic – units whose membership comes from the SAME High School or a school that feeds to that particular High School. Independent – units whose members are not necessarily associated with a particular school. Scholastic and Independent units are then further divided into classes: A Class – Beginning programs and performers. Open Class – The intermediate developmental level of performers. World Class – The most advanced programs and performers. Here also is a link to the

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Sep 20, 2016 No Comments
Chops Percussion

A New Tool for Every Marching Band Percussion Instructor!

Marching band season is here and that means marching equipment and concert instruments in the pit are being put through their paces.  The constant wear and tear on instruments requires us to keep a toolbox close, either in an electronics cart or carried around in a backpack.  You never know when something will happen and it usually happens at a contest.  Pearl has introduced the new Techtool, originally designed with the drumset player in mind, but we feel it’s also a great tool for percussion instructors!  MUCH lighter than carrying around a heavy pack of tools in your backpack at a contest, the compact Techtool fits right in your pocket and has many common tools needed for percussion repair. 5 Screwdrivers: 1.5mm, 5mm, and Phillips #00, #1 and #2 6 Hex Keys: 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm and 6mm Drum Key and Bottle Opener Call, email, or order from our website HERE  so you have the tools when you need them!

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Aug 23, 2016 No Comments

2016 DCI World Championships

Welcome back to the Chops blog.  We’re busy gearing up for the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships this week, held right here in Indianapolis!  It takes place all this week, at Lucas Oil Stadium and surrounding areas.  The competition inside Lucas Oil isn’t the only thing to see.  There are many events throughout the week, most of which are free and open to the public! Here’s our basic guide to help you take in some of the action. Drum Corps Competitions Monday, August 8:  Open Class Prelims – Ames Field (Michigan City, IN) Tuesday, August 9:  Open Class Finals – Ames Field (Michigan City, IN) Thursday, August 11:  World Class Prelims – Lucas Oil Stadium Friday, August 12:  World Class Semi-finals – Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday, August 13:  World Class Finals – Lucas Oil Stadium Ticket prices vary by event.  See DCI Tickets for details. See the DCI day-by-day guide for more information.   Individual & Small Ensemble Competition (Performers Showcase) Wednesday, August 10, 10am-4pm Georgia Street Free!   SoundSport International Music & Food Festival (Food Trucks!) Saturday, August 13, 11am-3pm The Pavilion at Pan Am Plaza Free! DrumLine Battle Saturday, August 10, 11am-3pm Georgia Street & Pan Am

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Aug 9, 2016 No Comments

Proper Nutrition and Hydration a Must for Marching Band

When it comes to marching band, we tend to spend a lot of time thinking only about the notes being played or the steps being taken. There isn’t always enough thought placed on how to keep performers well-nourished and hydrated for maximum performance. Marching band, like any other sport, counts on members to be healthy in order to be successful. Make sure you (the director, parent, and student) are doing your part to keep yourself and everyone else on the field! Here is an article from July 11, 2014 that was found at halftimemag.com. You’ll find that many of today’s top drum corps and marching bands put a lot of emphasis on proper nutrition and hydration. If you’re in marching band, you are an athlete; it’s time to treat your body as such! http://www.halftimemag.com/features/fueling-your-body.html

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Jul 26, 2016 No Comments

Accessory Mounting Options for Marching Drums

As the level of creativity in the marching activity continues to rise, we also find ourselves looking for ways to be more creative with the orchestration of marching drumline parts.  One way to do this is to incorporate auxiliary percussion sounds into the musical score by attaching accessories to marching snares, tenors and bass drums.  This makes it possible to add cowbells, jamblocks, tambourines, ribbon crashers, crash cymbals and hi-hats to your drums.  With a little work and possibly some drilling, you can even add bongos, doumbeks and other drums. Here’s a list of the accessory mounts we’ve found are the most popular and most dependable for mounting other instruments to the drums to help you achieve that next level of creativity in your marching percussion section.   Pearl MUH-20 Accessory Mount for Snare Drums http://www.chopspercussion.com/product?item=7024112 Snare attachment for Cowbells, Jam Blocks, Ribbon Crashers, etc. Designed to attach to the tube lugs of a high-tension marching snare drum. Features a 3/8″ rod to which you can mount any percussion accessory that has a matching 3/8″ receiver. Also good for mounting the Lalo Davila Rehearsal Pad, and much more. Pearl PCS-11 Accessory Mount for Bass Drums http://www.chopspercussion.com/product?item=7022377 Bass Drum attachment for

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Jul 19, 2016 No Comments
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