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Percussion Level 3 SR?

Posted by How Many? on 3/19/2025, 5:42 am

What to cover with 5 players since there are technically 7 instruments?

Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Timpani, Bells

Crash Cymbals, Triangle, Suspended Cymbal is the Percussion 2 part. Is auxiliary spaced out so 1 player plays all or does it need 2?

Re: Percussion Level 3 SR?

Posted by Defaults on 3/19/2025, 9:49 am, in reply to "Percussion Level 3 SR?"

Unless there are solos or other discoveries in your score study, suggested order is most likely to be:

Snare
Bass
Crash
Triangle
Sus cym
Timpani
Bells

My reasoning is that snare, bass and crash are the core and keep your band together. The color aux instruments are unique and generally easier to play if your section lacks depth. Timpani and bells are the hardest IMO because of pitch. Timpani is more unique than bells (usually doubles wind parts) so I don't staff the bell part unless we have a large section or a hotshot mallet player. Identify your section's skills and adjust. Snare player needs to be consistent regardless of sight-reading level.

Re: Percussion Level 3 SR?

Posted by Um... on 3/19/2025, 5:44 pm, in reply to "Re: Percussion Level 3 SR?"

Agree. I always cut timpani first and bells second. It's never been a problem.

Re: Percussion Level 3 SR?

Posted by Beecher on 3/22/2025, 1:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Percussion Level 3 SR?"

I agree with the top list. Mallet parts only ever double the upper voices in woodwinds & sometimes brass, so it's the first to get the ax. I'm doing level 3 with 4 percussionists, so I'm training for a timpani player but on the day of (next Tuesday) they'll go to Aux if it's not able to be covered by one person.

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