Percussion Orchestration Tips
by Thom Hannum
  1. Develop your palette through listening and imitation

  2. Establish goals
    1. Idiomatic interpretation is the primary musical objective
    2. Program objectives
      1. recruitment and retention
      2. player development (know your ensemble)

  3. Topics to master
    1. Indoor vs. Outdoor setting
      1. acoustic parameters and limitations
      2. spacial relationships
    2. Indoor medium is conducive to exploring the low end of the dynamic spectrum
    3. Tuning ranges
      1. SATB for battery
      2. Concert Percussion Ensemble for Pit
      3. Pit has contributed to higher ranges
    4. Creating effect (use of contrast)
    5. Implement mallet section
      1. definition and projection
      2. blend and sonority
    6. Length of sound/articulation = dampening techniques
    7. Segmental scoring
    8. Unison scoring
    9. Contrapuntal scoring
    10. Creating a texture
    11. Notation (clarity, legibility, detailing)
    12. Use of dynamics (contouring, contrast, coordination with wind score)
    13. Playability
      1. impact drill and movement
      2. dynamic extremes = fewer notes
        1. louder more people
        2. softer less people
      3. tempo marking
    14. Understanding the impact of tempo (scale)
    15. Drill and staging considerations for effect (antiphonal, split ensemble)
    16. Coordination of pit and battery voices
    17. Use of accent
    18. Frequency of accent can imply a dynamic level
    19. Visual effect
      1. use of sequence
      2. drum movements
      3. high sticking
      4. backsticking and stick flips tosses twirls
    20. Rim shot — a sound, not a dynamic
    21. Hand cymbal section, or not
    22. Orchestral influences... rhythmic vocabulary, sustain qualities

  4. The Phrase Chart - creating a plan
    1. identify phrases
    2. define their function
    3. tempi, dynamic shape
    4. establish the lead voice