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By
Jeff Moore
With the growing popularity and interest in
world music today, it's no surprise that musicians
are scrambling to incorporate these new ideas into
their own music. Marching percussion is no exception.
As instructors, we constantly strive to educate and
give our players new challenges, while maintaining
those traits the audience has come to expect and enjoy
from a drum and bugle show. The inherent energy and
emotion of Latin and Latin derived music has always
had a strong ability to communicate effectively with
an audience. Many of us in the marching percussion
community recognize this, and attempt to incorporate
as much of the authentic sounds and rhythms as possible.
For the past three seasons, the Madison Scouts Drum
and Bugle Corps has presented programs containing
Latin and Latin inspired music. In the Madison Scouts,
it has become our focus not only to communicate energy
and excitement, but to try and stay as "true" to the
musical inspiration as possible.
Until
recently, a major problem with incorporating Latin
percussion into marching was with the instruments
themselves. Wood blocks,
gourd guiros
and traditional cowbells
could not withstand the weather and rigors of outdoor
performance. LP's introduction of Jam
Blocks and Granite
Blocks, plastic guiros, and LP
Ridge Rider Cowbells has made use of these instruments
practical and affordable for the marching percussion
arena. With the Claw
percussion holder, mounting these instruments on the
field battery (Snares, Tenors and Bass Drums) poses
virtually no problem, and does not require the drilling
or cosmetic alteration of the battery instruments.
LP's work in sound development, such as with Ice Bells,
Jingle
Sticks and Vibra
Tones has proven that such instruments can adapt
extremely well to outdoor applications. When arranging
for instruments of somewhat limited color combinations,
these new sources and implements, coupled with the
already existing traditional LP
instruments, has opened new doors to almost unlimited
sound combinations and musical colors. These new developments
have "freshened up" the field battery, and can also
be subtly and tastefully employed in the front ensemble
(pit percussion). The importance of the effects these
instruments have in enhancing or communicating a certain
emotion cannot be stressed enough. The arranger is
only limited by his/her imagination.
Of special interest to the Madison Scouts was the
introduction of the LP Gajate Bracket
for foot pedals. We are able to use them in our front
line ensemble, adding a whole new dimension to that
set of instruments. Richie
Garcia's work and LP-produced videos
have had a tremendous effect on how we write for and
treat this complete chamber percussion ensemble in
the front of the field. Whether directly or indirectly,
LP has had a major influence on the type of music
the Madison Scouts are writing and performing. LP's
rich history in supporting, nurturing and promoting
Latin music has also had a major impact on myself
and many other percussionists. LP's commitment to
education is apparent, and their unique relationship
with the "masters of the music" has put them in a
position unparalleled in the industry. They have the
connections and commitment to bring out the information
and traditions involved in the performance of Latin
and world music. The videos, books and audio tapes
that LP is producing gives many of us who were not
fortunate enough to have grown up with this music
a foundation towards understanding and heightening
our appreciation of the genre.
Using LP as a resource, I have been able to make valuable,
personal contacts with individuals who have given
me a better understanding of Latin and world music,
both as a performer and as a composer/arranger. This
kind of commitment to education goes well beyond an
instrument manufacturer's obligation.
The Madison Scouts utilize standard Jam
Blocks and Black
Beauty Cowbells, attached with The Claw mounting
bracket to our tenor drums. The bass drums use a large
Jam Block which cuts down on wear to the drum rim
while providing tremendous color out on the field.
Both snare and tenor drums use Jingle Sticks, and
in our second piece during the 1995 season, "Concerto
de Aranjuez" the LP Vibratone is used. Our front ensemble
uses a wide variety of cowbells,
Granite
Blocks, Jam
Blocks, Maracas,
Vibraslaps,
claves
and Flexitones. Utilizing the Gajate
Bracket increases our ability to employ cowbells
and blocks while not having to make the often difficult
decision of choosing keyboard lines over auxiliary
percussion parts. In addition to the accessories,
we are using a set of three fiberglass congas mounted
on cradles, bongos on a stand and one pair each of
stainless steel timbales and timbalitos.
During our arrangement of Gershwin's Cuban Overture
in 1994, the tenor line and cymbal line put down their
instruments and utilized four sets of congas,
two pair of timbales,
two cuicas, two large talking drums and a pandeiro.
This "unlikely" combination of Latin, Brazilian and
African instruments then marched on the field in drill,
providing a unique hybrid of sounds and groove. The
audience reacted favorably night after night to this
unorthodox group and the music produced. In 1995 we
featured six members of our front ensemble marching
and soloing in a timbale choir (two pair of timbalitos,
two pair of Timbales and two pair of Thunder Timbs).
The group used traditional timbale technique while
also using the "split" concept of their voices, like
marching tonal bass drums. The timbale choir concept
was inspired by Richie Garcia's use of these instruments
in the second volume of his video series from LP.
I
would like to take this opportunity to thank LP for
their continued support and contributions to music
and education. I am anxiously anticipating the future
of global music, and feel that LP will be a major
player in that movement. I hope these applications
have inspired you, and I encourage everyone to experiment
and come up with your own unique uses for all these
instruments.
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