Pop Drop is another work by Brian Slawson aimed at developing the ensemble skills of young performers. Duple rhythms are passed around and played in unison, requiring the ensemble to listen carefully and communicate without a conductor. Each performer may choose their own instrument from a list provided. Additional players may be added to increase the fun, so long as their chosen instrument coincides with the part they are doubling.
This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• 2 woodblock1
• 2 concert toms2
• 2 timpani3
1Or 2 temple blocks, 2 bongos, 2 woodblocks, or 2 agogo bells
2Or 2 congas, 2 medium concert toms, 2 roto toms
3Or 2 large concert toms, 2 floor toms, 2 large ethnic drums
Brian Slawson has created an excellent platform to teach beginning students how to listen and play in an ensemble setting. "Pop Drop," though marked as "easy," will still require students who have a good understanding and control of sixteenth notes at a moderate tempo, some syncopated rhythmic figures, and good control over multiple dynamic ranges.
Similar to "Overture in Wood" by Steve Mathiesen, this piece offers options to the performers as to which instruments they would like to play during the performances. Directors can expand the listening palettes of younger players by trying different combinations of these sounds to get the overall desired sound for the ensemble. Because of the multiple options for instrumentation, the ensemble size can be expanded to accommodate larger ensembles as well.
Although the pieces is simple rhythmically, it trains ensemble playing in a fun atmosphere. At just over three minutes, "Pop Drop" will have your budding percussionists eager for more ensemble performances!
—Marcus D. Reddick
Percussive Notes
Vol. 56, No. 2, May 2018
Pop Drop is another work by Brian Slawson aimed at developing the ensemble skills of young performers. Duple rhythms are passed around and played in unison, requiring the ensemble to listen carefully and communicate without a conductor. Each performer may choose their own instrument from a list provided. Additional players may be added to increase the fun, so long as their chosen instrument coincides with the part they are doubling.
This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• 2 woodblock1
• 2 concert toms2
• 2 timpani3
1Or 2 temple blocks, 2 bongos, 2 woodblocks, or 2 agogo bells
2Or 2 congas, 2 medium concert toms, 2 roto toms
3Or 2 large concert toms, 2 floor toms, 2 large ethnic drums
Brian Slawson has created an excellent platform to teach beginning students how to listen and play in an ensemble setting. "Pop Drop," though marked as "easy," will still require students who have a good understanding and control of sixteenth notes at a moderate tempo, some syncopated rhythmic figures, and good control over multiple dynamic ranges.
Similar to "Overture in Wood" by Steve Mathiesen, this piece offers options to the performers as to which instruments they would like to play during the performances. Directors can expand the listening palettes of younger players by trying different combinations of these sounds to get the overall desired sound for the ensemble. Because of the multiple options for instrumentation, the ensemble size can be expanded to accommodate larger ensembles as well.
Although the pieces is simple rhythmically, it trains ensemble playing in a fun atmosphere. At just over three minutes, "Pop Drop" will have your budding percussionists eager for more ensemble performances!
—Marcus D. Reddick
Percussive Notes
Vol. 56, No. 2, May 2018