Welcome back to the Chops blog! We’re already a week into 2016, but I’d like to suggest some New Year’s resolutions for the high school percussionist. As a young and developing percussionist, you’ve got lots of room for growth and improvement. However, it can be easy to follow bad advice or spend time on the wrong things. The following suggestions are applicable to all young percussionists: Learn more percussion instruments A well-rounded high school percussionist is equally comfortable on mallets, timpani, drums, and accessory instruments. If you are unfamiliar with any instrument used regularly in your band, address those weaknesses this year. Don’t know where to start? You can easily find guidance by asking your band director or percussion instruction. Chances are they have some experience, or can help you find someone who does. If you’re serious about percussion, and learning new instruments, you’ll need to find a private teacher. Private lessons will help you grow as a musician faster than anything else Improve your music reading skills The ability to read music separates the truly excellent and mediocre musicians. A strong reader spends less time figuring out what to play, which allows them to focus on how to play.

Did you just get your first drumset this holiday season? What next? If not already taking them, private lessons are the next step in getting a good start. This will help ensure a return on your investment with a lifetime of music making enjoyment. We don’t currently offer lessons here at Chops, but here’s our list of suggestions in finding a lesson instructor that’s right for you or your child. – Ask your band director and/or school percussion instructor. Most will have a list of instructors in the area that they know will get you started on the right path to success. – Ask other students in your school. Sometimes great private lesson instructors fly under the radar and might not yet be well known to your band director. – Call us! We’d be happy to refer you to qualified private instructors we know and trust! These would be on the northeast side, so if that works for you, just give us a call and we’ll refer you to some of the best in the area. – Online lessons. There are new online lesson opportunities popping up all the time. If you choose this route, be sure to do some

Welcome back to the Chops blogs! Today we’re going to finish our series on holiday gifts by discussing some last minute ideas. #1 – Sticks and mallets As we’ve already discussed, drummers and percussionists can never have too many sticks or mallets. See our previous entry here. If you are purchasing a gift for a drummer, consider purchasing them several pairs of their favorite stick. If you are purchasing a gift for a percussionist, consider replacing mallets they use regularly, or expanding their collection with a type of mallet they need. Again, be sure to know which brand and model your drummer or percussionist prefers before making a purchase. #2 – Metronome A metronome is a crucial tool for the rhythmic and time development of all drummers and percussionists. We carry many metronomes, ranging from the $31 Seiko DM50 to the $159 Boss Dr. Beat. We prefer the features and price of $69 Boss DB-60. #3 – Accessories All drummers and percussionists also need accessories! For the drummer, consider drum keys, dampening products (MoonGel, etc.), replacement tension rods or cymbal felts, or cleaning products. For the percussionist, consider drum keys, replacement parts, or small instruments such as triangles or tambourines.

The 2015 IPA Clinic Day will be held this Saturday, December 12th, 2015 alongside the Individual & Ensemble event at Franklin Community HS (map). And once again, IPA is very excited to bring you a multitude of outstanding clinic day activities for this annual event. This year’s event will also feature clinicians for instructors, the IPA Individual and Ensemble contest, and the IPA Winter Meeting. All students interested in attending this event will need to register and pay a $15 participation fee in advance (instructors will be admitted free), or walk-ins are welcome for $20 at the door. Registration begins at 8:30am and the clinics kick-off at 9:00am. View the full schedule. 2015 Clinicians Include: Pablo Rieppi – New York City Ballet Orchestra/NY Philharmonic BYOS – Entertainment and Performing Arts duo Glenn Kotche – Drumset player for Wilco Colin Hill and Brian Blume – BluHill Percussion Duo Bonnie Whiting – Percussion director of DePauw Plus… the DePauw University Percussion Ensemble and the Pendleton Heights High School Percussion Ensemble Director Clinics: Josh Torres – How to Build a Percussion Program Christian Good – Electronics Clinic Go here to register. Online registration ends December 8, 2015! Clinic Day Flyer (click for full resolution

Welcome back to the Chops blog! Today we’re going to continue our series on holiday gift ideas. As you’re well aware, drums and percussion can be very loud. Fortunately, there are many products available that limit or reduce their volume during practice. For family, friends, and neighbors, these products are essential for maintaining sanity. Today we’re going to highlight some of our favorite volume-reducing practice tools. #1 – Practice Pads A practice pad is a device that replicates the feel and sound of a drum, but is much quieter. They make practice easy, quiet, and most importantly, bearable for others. Every drummer and percussionist should own a practice pad. Many styles of practice pads are available, but they normally fit into two categories: general use, and marching. General use pads work well for concert, drumset, and marching use. They normally feature a gum rubber surface, but might include a plastic rim and real drum head. For more information on our favorite general use practice pads, please see our previous blog entry here. If you are purchasing a practice pad for a student that participates in a marching activity, such as band or winter drumline, you should consider a marching pad.

Welcome back to the Chops blogs! Today we’re going to begin a brief series on holiday gift ideas. With the holidays rapidly approaching it’s time to think about a gift for the percussionist or drummer in your life. Today we’re going to look at some of our favorite accessories that are cheap and practical. #1 – Sticks and mallets Believe it or not, a drummer and percussionist can never have too many sticks or mallets! As we’ve discussed here many times, every drummer and percussionist will have their own stick and mallet preferences, so ask them before making a purchase. Different brands often use the same or similar model names, so be sure to ask for a specific brand and model. For instance, while every drum stick manufacturer makes a “5A” model stick, your drummer might prefer brand X’s model over Y. If you are purchasing mallets for a percussionist, consider expanding their collection. Consult our guides for the beginner and intermediate percussionist. Price: Drum sticks – $5-$20 per pair Mallets – $10-$50 per pair #2 – Drum keys Drum keys are a crucial tool for drummers and percussionists, regardless of their experience or area of specialty. We carry many different

Welcome back to the Chops blog! Over the weekend marching bands from across the nation gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium to participate in Music For All’s Bands of America Grand National Championships. On Wednesday evening the competition began with the Indianapolis Marching Band Tournament. The following schools from across the city participated: Arlington Community H.S. John Marshall Community H.S. Northwest Community H.S. Crispus Attacks Community H.S. Broad Ripple Magnet H.S. Shortridge H.S. Emmerich Manual George Washington Community H.S. Key Learning Community H.S. Arsenal Technical H.S. The Marian University Marching band also performed the national anthem, and closed the evening with an exhibition performance. The championship competition began on Thursday morning and continued through Saturday evening. Indiana was well represented with the following schools participating, in order of Prelims performance: Monrovia H.S. Homestead H.S. Southwestern H.S. New Palestine H.S. Avon H.S. Ben Davis H.S. Carmel H.S. Triton Central H.S. Lawrence Township H.S. Center Grove H.S. Lake Central H.S. Goshen H.S. Congratulations to the following bands who made Semi-Finals: Ben Davis H.S. Lawrence Township H.S. Homestead H.S. Center Grove H.S. Lake Central H.S. Avon H.S. Carmel H.S. Goshen H.S. Congratulations the following bands who made Grand National Finals: Avon H.S. (2nd) Carmel

The team at Chops Percussion would like to congratulate the students, staff and parents of all the participating schools on another exciting marching band season!   It’s amazing to witness the hard work and dedication that goes into putting a marching show on the field, the organization of getting to contests (or hosting contests) every weekend, and the teamwork of working together to improve week by week to be the best they can be.  State finals is where the hard work pays off, coming from the field in the form of incredible performances of energy and emotion.  One of the best things to see is the display of emotion in the tunnel after a great final run! Congratulations to everyone involved with performing and constructing these shows, along with all the support staff who made it possible for the students and staff to do what they do! ISSMA State Championship Results – Lucas Oil Stadium, November 7, 2015 Class D 1) Forest Park 2) Springs Valley 3) South Spencer 4) Triton Central 5) (tie) Crawford County 5) (tie) Paoli 7) Monrovia 8) Mater Dei 9) Woodlan 10) Tell City Class C 1) Western 2) Fairfield 3) Lewis Cass 4) Beech Grove

Welcome back to the Chops blog! Chops Percussion is proud to be the presenting sponsor for the Indiana Percussion Association. IPA recently announced their annual clinic day, which will take place at Franklin Community High School on December 12th. This annual event includes the IPA Individual and Ensemble contest, organizational meetings, and performances by clinicians. Check it out the details here and make plans to attend! Amongst this year’s exciting lineup of clinicians is Glenn Kotche, internationally renowned percussionist and composer. As a solo artist and member of Wilco, Kotche is regarded as one of the most creative drummers thanks to his percussion-centric approach to drum set. If you don’t attend the IPA clinic for any other reason than to see his presentation, it will be well worth your time. Kotche’s creativity has its roots in his education. He began percussion as a student, and continued his studies under Professor Jim Campbell at the University of Kentucky. He also spent a summers in the late eighties as a member of The Cavaliers. While studying percussion, Kotche also dedicated himself to learning drum set. Rather than approach the drum set like a separate discipline, he found creative ways to enlist the techniques

Welcome back to the Chops blog! A couple of weeks ago Jeff wrote a great guide to the WGI independent drumlines in the area. If you haven’t already seen it, check it out here. Today I’d like to continue on the subject of drumlines by providing a few tips for auditioning. In my younger days I spent lots of years marching with several drum corps and winter drumlines. Having successfully, and unsuccessfully auditioned for a number of groups, I’d like to offer the following advice: 1. Have reasonable expectations. It’s critical that you enter an audition with reasonable expectations. While the world class corps and drumlines are the most impressive, only the best and most experienced candidates will make the cut. In other words, audition for a group that you have a reasonable chance of joining. If you’re still young, and have a limited amount of experience, you should consider auditioning for an “open”, or “A” class group. Membership in these groups is typically not as competitive, and will help a young student develop crucial skills and gain experience. Many members of the best marching organizations have many years of experience, including seasons spent with scholastic, “A”, and “open” class groups.

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

Welcome back to the Chops blog! Today we’d like to take the chance to preview the new college football season and several of our local collegiate marching bands. If you are a fan of the marching arts, it’s hard to beat Indiana. Between drum corps during the summer, marching band in the fall, and winter guard and percussion during the winter and spring, there’s rarely a break between marching seasons. However, it’s easy to forget that there are many great college marching bands in the state. Butler, Purdue, Indiana, Indiana State, and Marian University are all located in, or within a short drive from Indianapolis, and have excellent marching bands. These bands will perform before, during, and after their school’s home football games throughout the fall and winter. For the relatively inexpensive price of a ticket you can see an exciting college football game and performances from the band.  Be sure to get there early for some tailgating, as most of the bands will perform outside the stadium before everyone heads inside! The Butler University Marching Band will perform five times this fall at upcoming games. 9/12 – vs. Franklin (Band Day) 9/26 – vs. Campbell (Homecoming) 10/17 – vs.

Welcome back to the Chops blog! Today I’d like to address a topic that I feel has needed attention for some time: drum covers. Over the past five to six years a type of video called a “drum cover” has become popular on the internet, especially on YouTube. If you’re not familiar, a drum cover is a video of a drummer playing along to a prerecorded track. However, rather than playing an authentic, straight-forward version of the track, the drummer plays their own version of the song. This often involves unique beats, fills, and solos. There are many drum cover videos available on YouTube that showcase some incredibly creative and technical playing. Despite their prevalence, and the impressive musicianship often on display, drum covers are often a negative influence on young or otherwise impressionable drummers. When a naïve musician watches a drum cover, they are easily impressed by the complex techniques on display. They then think that these things are important, and should be emulated in their own playing. This idea is then reinforced by the number of times the video has been viewed. Unfortunately, drum covers are unrealistic and impractical for drummers in the real world. For every YouTube