The document provides guidelines and information for the 2008 percussion section of the Spartans drum and bugle corps. It outlines expectations for attitude, commitment, and adaptability. It also details rehearsal technique, stickings, dynamics, percussion notation, music excerpts, and percussion staff roles. The goal is to define how the section will operate to achieve excellence and serve the music as defending world champions.

1. Spartans
2008 Percussion Section

2. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Table of Contents
2008 Spartans Percussion Section Guidelines .................................................................... 3
Rehearsal Technique........................................................................................................... 4
Technique Guidelines ......................................................................................................... 5
Dynamics and the Height System ....................................................................................... 6
Stickings.............................................................................................................................. 7
Duple / Triplet Rolls ....................................................................................................... 7
Computerized Notation Key ............................................................................................... 8
Music Excerpts: Mvt 2 – The Emperor & Strength........................................................ 9
Music Excerpts: Mvt 4 – The Magician ....................................................................... 10
Music Excerpts: Mvt 6 – The Sun / Death & Judgment ............................................... 11
Percussion Staff ................................................................................................................ 12
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3. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
2008 Spartans Percussion Section Guidelines
“You exist to serve the music, the music doesn’t exist to serve you. Get it in context. The music comes first,
then you supply the drumming. And you have to hang out with like-minded souls. If you can find a couple of
guys or girls with whom you can have this conversation and they understand you, then hang with them.”
-Bill Bruford
Welcome to the defending World Champion Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps!
This percussion packet will serve as a set of guidelines by which we will operate all season. We
have created these definitions to provide prospective members with a clear idea of what we are
looking for, and to provide a point from which ALL members can begin the 2008 season. Here is
what we look for in the evaluation of a player:
-Attitude
-Commitment
-Ability to adapt to what is asked of you
Attitude is listed first because it is by far the most important. This is an extremely difficult
activity; you must know that from the start. It is hot, tiring, and emotional. An individual’s and a
section’s ability to rise above all of the frustration is essential. We also take great pride in the
perception of our organization. The best attitudes make the best team players and performers
within the line. In the selection process for our 2008 percussion section, we will be looking for
those who strive to be the best team player possible, not the best individual performer.
Commitment is essential. You must commit to your staff. You must commit to your fellow
members. You must commit to excellence. This takes form in a variety of ways. Once the
decision is made to commit to a World Class organization such as the Spartans, you will find that
in the end the benefits of doing so will far outweigh any sacrifices made to get there.
Attendance: Be sure to check the schedule and predict any conflicts before making a
commitment. In order for us to be successful, it requires that all members be at rehearsal and are
prepared to work. For those in school winter programs, every effort has been made to avoid
scheduling conflicts with most NESBA and WGI winter/indoor shows. If you will be absent or
have any other conflicts with rehearsal be sure let the appropriate people know (section leaders
and staff).
Your ability to adapt to what is asked of you defines the success of the percussion section over
the course of the season. This includes your ability to adapt to our style of technique and our style
of rehearsal. Throughout the course of the season, we will take different approaches as we try to
figure out how to best prepare you to succeed. A section with a good attitude is always willing to
do what is asked of them without question.
The most successful individuals, in any field, are the ones which constantly search for new ways
to improve. As a staff, we adhere to this philosophy and throughout the course of the season we
will be constantly fine tuning the way we run ourselves. Our success as a section, however, will
be determined by the combination of attitude, commitment and adaptability.
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4. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Rehearsal Technique
“The minute you take it easy and just play the notes, it’s definitely known. You have to be going for it all
the time.”
-Dave Weckl
During Rehearsal:
• Demand Individual Excellence
• No Talking
• Be prepared with a 3 ring binder and transparent sheet protectors for music, a
pencil, dot books, and earplugs.
• Sticks out on Beat 3 and in on beat 2 unless otherwise defined by staff or section
leader. Cymbals will have a similar approach.
• After every repetition, be ready for instructions.
• When cut by an instructor, stop on the downbeat of the NEXT bar.
• Mark Time (with the whole foot leaving the ground)
• Keep your head up and look forward. Project confidence!
• If you have a question, please wait for an appropriate time while the group is at a
RELAXED position to raise your hand and ask. Oftentimes, the answer to most
questions are given in due time during the course of a rehearsal.
• If you feel faint or ill however, PLEASE remove yourself from the group and
immediately see a staff member (even if the group is at full attention). DO NOT
wait until the moment you pass out or become ill.
• Have fun and GO FOR IT! Being here is more than half the battle!
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5. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Technique Guidelines
“Technique for just technique alone-forget it. If you can’t use it musically- if you’re just going to machine-
gun everyone to death- that’s not it.”
-Joe Morello
1. Full (F) – Start at one height, REBOUND to the SAME height.
2. Down (D) – Start at one height, REBOUND to a LOWER height.
3. Up (U) – Start at one height, REBOUND to a HIGHER height.
Tap (T) – A tap is a FULL stroke at a lower height.
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6. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Dynamics and the Height System
“The drums should be as musically supportive of a composition as the rest of the instruments. And this
should be normal; this shouldn’t be something exceptional.”
-Elvin Jones
1.5” 3” 6” 9” 12”
pp p mp mf f
(same as set (vertical)
position)
15” 18”
ff fff
(with forearm) (per definition)
These can be implemented with the various locations of the drum:
Center, ½ Way, Edge and Rim
If only one dynamic is mentioned, this is the accent height.
The default tap height is 3” unless otherwise specified
Crescendo – Gradually Louder
Decrescendo / Diminuendo – Gradually Softer
½ Accents at 9”
Accents back
to 12”
12” Accents/Shots Accents drop to 9”
3” Taps Taps still at 3”
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7. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Stickings
Upper Case Letters Used to identify emphasis (accents, rimshots, etc)
Lower Case Letters Used to identify taps, grace notes, etc
Right and Left Hands will be notated as (R) or (r) and (L) or (l) respectively.
Both hands played simultaneously will be notated as (R/L) or (r/l).
Accented and non -
Natural sticking
Both hands accented notes
All stickings will be ‘natural’ stickings unless otherwise noted
following the Right hand lead (r l r l) pattern.
Duple / Triplet Rolls
The rhythmic patterns will typically be written out to help determine how the roll should
be played – whether as a duple or triple.
Played as:
Played as:
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8. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Computerized Notation Key
“I think it’s a cardinal sin to play somebody’s music wrong. Somebody sat down and wrote it out and
worked with it, and then you play it and mess it up! Imagine how the writer must feel.”
-Philly Joe Jones
This section of the handbook refers to all of the keys that you’ll see in the exercises and
music. Ensure that all of these are known and recognizable to expedite the learning
process.
½ Accent
Tap (one height Accent
level below
accent)
Staccato
(short notes: Accented
‘Over- bass drum and
the-head’ muffled, Muffled/
Accent cymb choked, Short
sn/tenor
crushes)
Crossover
(more often
Tenors but
Ping Rimshot Gawk Rimshot
may see in
snare part)
Buzz
(can be in the
form of buzz
BD Rim, BD Unison rolls, crushes)
Stick Click with and w/o
staccato dots
plus hand
combinations
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9. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Music Excerpts: Mvt 2 – The Emperor & Strength
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10. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Music Excerpts: Mvt 4 – The Magician
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11. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Music Excerpts: Mvt 6 – The Sun / Death & Judgment
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12. Spartans 2008 Percussion Packet Updated
Percussion Staff
Eric Putnam Battery Arranger
Jay Davis Percussion Caption Head / Tenor Technician
Dustin Patrick Snare Technician
Derek SooHoo Bass Drum Technician / Head Visual Technician
Anthony Beatrice Cymbal Technician
Bryan Harmsen Front Ensemble Arranger / Program Coordinator
Jason Medeiros Front Ensemble Technician
Bill Holden Front Ensemble Technician
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