Classical Music Research Paper
Percussion in Classical Music
Percussion is the most versatile of any instrument family and it can be utilized in practically every genre of music. In an orchestra, percussionists generally provide different textures in the ensemble. Some percussion instruments are more commonly used than others. Timpani, for example, has been seen in Western classical music since the 17th century and became a standard orchestral instrument very short before many other percussion instruments. Snare drum, bass drum, and crash cymbals were adopted soon thereafter and quickly became associated with the orchestra as well.
Percussion instruments used in classical music :
Drums
a. Bass Drum
In an orchestra, the bass drum plays a vital …show more content…
Given the number of variables that can change when playing the bass drum (beater, beating location, amount/type of muffling, stroke, etc.), a professional percussionist is usually required in order to obtain all the possible sounds from the instrument.
Some important excerpts for the bass drum in orchestral literature include Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, Romeo and Juliet, and1812 Overture, many of the Mahler symphonies , and Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz.
b. Snare Drum
The snare drum is one of the most commonly used instruments in the entire percussion section. Also called the side drum, the snare drum is often used as a tool of highlighting rhythms from other families of instruments within the orchestra or as a soloistic type instrument, particularly in pieces that may have a "military" type theme or sound to them.
The snare drum works extremely well as an accentuating instrument. Tuned and played correctly, it can produce sounds ranging from quick, short, and snappy to thick, warm, whip-crack like accents. There are numerous examples in music of the snare drum being used in this fashion.
Auxiliary
Percussion is the most versatile of any instrument family and it can be utilized in practically every genre of music. In an orchestra, percussionists generally provide different textures in the ensemble. Some percussion instruments are more commonly used than others. Timpani, for example, has been seen in Western classical music since the 17th century and became a standard orchestral instrument very short before many other percussion instruments. Snare drum, bass drum, and crash cymbals were adopted soon thereafter and quickly became associated with the orchestra as well.
Percussion instruments used in classical music :
Drums
a. Bass Drum
In an orchestra, the bass drum plays a vital …show more content…
Given the number of variables that can change when playing the bass drum (beater, beating location, amount/type of muffling, stroke, etc.), a professional percussionist is usually required in order to obtain all the possible sounds from the instrument.
Some important excerpts for the bass drum in orchestral literature include Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, Romeo and Juliet, and1812 Overture, many of the Mahler symphonies , and Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz.
b. Snare Drum
The snare drum is one of the most commonly used instruments in the entire percussion section. Also called the side drum, the snare drum is often used as a tool of highlighting rhythms from other families of instruments within the orchestra or as a soloistic type instrument, particularly in pieces that may have a "military" type theme or sound to them.
The snare drum works extremely well as an accentuating instrument. Tuned and played correctly, it can produce sounds ranging from quick, short, and snappy to thick, warm, whip-crack like accents. There are numerous examples in music of the snare drum being used in this fashion.
Auxiliary