Articles and Interviews

NEXUS, Cage and Ewazen: answers to questions by Daniel Smithiger

NEXUS, Cage and Ewazen: answers to questions by Daniel Smithiger

Last year (2009) percussionist Daniel Smithiger asked the members of NEXUS to answer a number of interesting questions for an interview article to be posted on the Black Swamp website. Below are my answers to a few of them.

DS: Of what things are you most proud, in the accomplishments and history of NEXUS?

BB: I generally don’t view pride as …

George Lawrence Stone’s STICK CONTROL

George Lawrence Stone's STICK CONTROL

George Lawrence Stone’s Stick Control for the Snare Drummer first appeared in 1935. With a terse two-page introduction followed by a mere 21 pages of what he called “practice rhythms”, Stone unleashed a new and powerful method of technical development for all styles of drumming. The “HOW TO PRACTICE” page alone is worth the price of the book, and, although he never uses the word exercise, he explains clearly how to use his “conditioners” in a progressive and ambidextrous calisthenic routine, leading to speed, endurance, power and precision.

Bob’s interview with Justin DeHart

Bob's interview with Justin DeHart

Dear Bob,

It was great to talk to you the other day, and have the opportunity to hang out with you while here in Banff. Thanks again for your willingness to answer some questions for my doctoral dissertation and larger project to collect anecdotes and interviews from various important senior/accomplished percussionists in our field. Your contribution will surely enhance my understanding …

Bob’s interview with Gene Koshinski (re two-mallet performance)

Bob's interview with Gene Koshinski (re two-mallet performance)

My name is Gene Koshinski, Professor of Percussion at University of Minnesota Duluth. I am currently finishing a document as my final step to completing my doctoral degree at The Hartt School in Hartford, CT. The title of my paper is: “From West Africa, through Vaudeville, to the Concert Hall: The Evolution of Two-Mallet Keyboard Percussion Solo Performance.” Would you …

The Aesthetics of the Audition Excerpt

The Aesthetics of the Audition Excerpt

Over the past decade I have attended dozens of clinics and masterclasses aimed at explaining methods for preparing orchestral percussion audition repertoire, and describing techniques for succeeding in an audition environment. I have also read numerous articles in percussion magazines, and viewed several educational DVDs addressing the same issues. Furthermore, professional performers (including myself) and educators regularly present workshops focusing on specific percussion instruments used in concert bands and symphony orchestras. In these presentations the same group of short musical excerpts is generally used for demonstration.

Panel Discussion at PASIC, 2008

Panel Discussion at PASIC, 2008

For those of you who did not make it to PASIC 08, or for those who did and could not attend this event on Friday, the world panel discussion: “Early Pioneers of World Music in the Field of Western Percussion” with John Bergamo, Emil Richards, and me can be viewed …

Answers to questions about Rain Tree, by Toru Takemitsu

Answers to questions about Rain Tree, by Toru Takemitsu

Last year (2008), percussionist Dan Heagney sent an email to NEXUS with a question about the lighting effects in Rain Tree, by Toru Takemitsu. Here is his question and my response.

DH: I was hoping you could help me with Takemitsu’s Rain Tree. I’m getting ready for a performance of the …