Restauration of a Givernau tenor drum. I have found a very peculiar drum in an antiques fair. It measures 44,7x31cm or 17″ 10/16 x 12″ 4/16). They are not “exact” measures in neither system, which is quite bizarre. It also features some nice single point lugs and the tension rods are off-set. As you can… Continue reading Restauration of a Givernau tenor drum.
Author: DavidValdes
“Histoire du Soldat”, what about the “L´”?
“Histoire du Soldat”, what about the “L´”? “Histoire du Soldat”, by Igor Stravinsky, is one of the most important works in the percussion repertoire, as it was one of the first to be written for a percussion set. Apart from its “percusive” importance, it is a masterwork which is played very often, whether staged or… Continue reading “Histoire du Soldat”, what about the “L´”?
Herd bells in “Tosca”.
Herd bells in “Tosca”. I have been to Rome lately, where I have spent some wonderfull days together with my family. Among many other places of general and musical interest, I have been to the Castel Sant´Angelo. The third act of “Tosca” takes place at this impresive building. More precisely at the upper platform. LA… Continue reading Herd bells in “Tosca”.
How I made some snare gates
How I made some snare gates. A snare gate is an opening in the lower counterhoop that allows for the snares to pass through it and to make contact with the resonant head. See the opening in the lower counterhoop, right below the snare strainer. © Grover Pro Percussion View from below. Check the snares… Continue reading How I made some snare gates
“Lieutenant Kije” and a peculiar tambourine technique
Lieutenant Kijé and a peculiar tambourine technique. On January 2, a new article of mine was published on the Grover Pro Percussion website. © Grover Pro Percussion Dealing with the very specific tambourine technique requested by Prokofiev in “Troika”, you can read it HERE. Pandereta en “Troika”. …et in Arcadia ego. © David Valdés
Editing timpani parts (and III)
Editing timpani parts (and III). In this last article on the series I have wanted to use examples from Verdi himself to prove my points when editing the timpani part of his “Requiem“. It is not my intention when quoting the composer to fall into an “ad verecundiam” fallacy; by showing examples of his writing… Continue reading Editing timpani parts (and III)
Editing timpani parts (II)
Editing timpani parts (II). Continuing with the issue that we previously discussed, I´d like to show you my version of the “Sanctus” from Verdi´s “Requiem”. The use of full range speakers or headphones is highly recommended. You can legally and freely download the score and the parts here: IMSLP. © David Valdés This… Continue reading Editing timpani parts (II)
Editing timpani parts (I)
Editing timpani parts (I). He who has ever played repertoire by Mendelssohn, Schubert, Dvorak, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Weber, Gounod, opera (mainly Italian and French works) and, as a particular case, Spanish zarzuela, is very likely to have found on many occasions notes that do not “match” with the harmonic/melodic context and, depending on his audacity or… Continue reading Editing timpani parts (I)
Welcome!
Welcome! Hi everybody. Today I´m starting a new adventure in the blogosphere. Percusize Me! is my blog, and its title is a play on words related to Morgan Spurlock´s film “Super Size Me”. Its meaning could be something as “percussionize me” (I know that expression doesn´t exist!). Also, and following the storyline in… Continue reading Welcome!