Senni.com » Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com Free Music - Method & Instruments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 06:37:52 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Tuned Percussion in the Music Classroom – a Teachers Guide http://www.senni.com/tuned-percussion-in-the-music-classroom-a-teachers-guide/ http://www.senni.com/tuned-percussion-in-the-music-classroom-a-teachers-guide/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:00:49 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/tuned-percussion-in-the-music-classroom-a-teachers-guide/ Tuned Percussion in the Music Classroom – a Teachers Guide

Tuned Percussion is great fun – most of the Time! However, it can be a source of headaches (literally!) for music teachers if its not implemented in a careful way.

This article is to give you some hints and tricks on how to maintain and look after the instruments, plus the types of music to play which have the greatest chances of success.

1)Organization is the key

With tuned percussion instruments in a music class you have to be totally organized.

Each instrument needs a shelf where it lives permanently – so that students know where it goes back after it has been used. You’ve got to establish these places early in the routine and have ordering about how the students go about picking them out and playing them.

2) Go All Diatonic or All Chromatic

One of the big problems is that many orff style tuned percussion instruments are sold in two bits – the main “diatonic” part of the instrument, plus they offer a “chromatic extension” which is simply the black notes on a separate box resonator.

In my experience these things are far more hassle than they are worth, particularly for elementary school classes. You are much better off with just a diatonic instrument that isn’t in “two bits”

Organizing a class so that everyone has to get the main instrument, and then get the chromatic extension and put it in front is far too difficult for most elementary classes.

In theory of course the elementary class can use just the diatonic bit, and the more advanced can use the full chromatic.. but it rarely works that way!

The only schools where I’ve seen those chromatic extensions they are generally put away into a cupboard and never used!

Still, if you have more advanced or older students then you should get fully chromatic instruments to start with!

3) Play everything in C Major

One of the big “time wasters” is those substitute F sharp and B flat bars that are included with many of the diatonic instruments. These have to be a complete waste of time for teachers. Often you can spend half the class making sure that all the students have the right notes on their instruments, and then you’ll still hear something funny going on whenever you hear an “F” because one student has an F# on their instrument!

The best tip I have for this is to simply take those substitute bars, put them into a box and lock them away!

The best solution is to simply find music, transpose music or write music that is only in C MAJOR. That way you won’t be messing around chaning notes, and you can get on with making music!

4) Go for Wood – Not Metal – and get them all at once!

I’ve seen more broken “Metallophones” at schools than any other instrument. For some reason they always seem to have gotten lost bars and damaged rubber strips under the bars which result in a loud “clunk” whenever you try to play them!

Glockenspiels are very challenging for young children – the bars are really small… and piercing on the ears as well.

My advice… go for WOOD every time. diatonic xylophones, with a box resonator.

You should really take ALL your budget in one year and dedicate it to this – don’t buy one or two at once.. That will not suffice for a whole class. Get a class set of ten to twenty xylophones that are all identical and they will last for years.

Get one or two at a time and you’ll find that they get mixed up and no-one knows what bars and bits go with what instrument!

5) Mallets all identical – all in one place

One simple thing you can do is get a full set of mallets, and make them all identical!

If you get a box or a large jar and dedicate it to this purpose then students will know that they have to get and return the mallets to this location and they’ll get used to this procedure.

If you only have wooden xylophones then you won’t have to worry about different mallets for the glockenspiels and metallophones.

Of course I’m talking about an ideal situation – and I know that its not common that you get the budget to go out and get a full class set of new tuned percussion instruments for an elementary school.

Hopefully whatever instruments you have you’ll be able to use some ideas from this article to make tuned percussion more enjoyable in your classroom

Kevin Tuck is a percussionist and teacher who runs multiple websites with his company, the Fun Music Company. One of Kevin’s blogs is all about percussion and how it can be more easily used in schools, and you’ll find it at http://www.percussioneducationonline.com

Drum Circle: A Guide to World Percussion (Book & Enhanced CD)
Finally, a book no percussionist should be without! This unique guide to world percussion covers 28 different instruments with des…
4 NEW DEWALT PERCUSSION CARBIDE MASONRY BITS LOT 4
US $5.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 4:18:27 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/tuned-percussion-in-the-music-classroom-a-teachers-guide/feed/ 0 BASS GUITAR ~Wall Clock~ band music musician electric http://www.senni.com/bass-guitar-wall-clock-band-music-musician-electric/ http://www.senni.com/bass-guitar-wall-clock-band-music-musician-electric/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:00:46 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/bass-guitar-wall-clock-band-music-musician-electric/
This BRAND NEW wall clock measures 10 inches in diameter. It has a black plastic frame with a clear cover. Graphics are rich and vibrant and will last a lifetime. These clocks make a great accent to any room in your home or business. A perfect addition to your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, family room or anywhere. The clock has precision quartz movement and operates on 1 AA battery (not included). Please take a moment to look through our entire clock inventory by clicking on “Other ClockZone Products” at the top of this page. New designs added monthly, be sure to check back often.

  • Large 10″ Wall Clock
  • Precision Quartz Movement
  • Great Gift Idea!
  • Ships Next Business Day from the USA

Rating: (out of 1 reviews)

4/4&3/4 new double bass strings machine head winders
US $29.90
End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:08:45 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $29.90
Buy it now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/bass-guitar-wall-clock-band-music-musician-electric/feed/ 1 Essential Elements for Strings: Violin Book One http://www.senni.com/essential-elements-for-strings-violin-book-one/ http://www.senni.com/essential-elements-for-strings-violin-book-one/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:00:44 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/essential-elements-for-strings-violin-book-one/
Tailored to beginning students, Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 covers techniques such as instrument position, fingerings, and bowings while incorporating theory and history lessons throughout. Features a broad scope, comprehensive detail, great pacing, thorough reinforcement, and much more!

  • ISBN13: 9780793533596
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Rating: (out of 7 reviews)

Lola Bobesco Frank & Lekeu Violin Sonatas
US $80.00
End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 3:40:53 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $80.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/essential-elements-for-strings-violin-book-one/feed/ 5 30 x 20 Stretched Canvas Poster Marimba, of South Africa http://www.senni.com/30-x-20-stretched-canvas-poster-marimba-of-south-africa/ http://www.senni.com/30-x-20-stretched-canvas-poster-marimba-of-south-africa/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:00:41 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/30-x-20-stretched-canvas-poster-marimba-of-south-africa/
This image is one a collection of vintage art, this excellent quality and durable Canvas Print measures 30 X 20 inches and arrives ready to hang on the wall with all necessary accessories already in place. The Canvas Print is stretched over a sturdy wood frame for maximum stability and tautness. Canvas prints are Gallery Wrapped.  This means that the image will go around the edge of the stretched canvas, giving a greater depth to the art.

  • This image is one a collection of vintage art.
  • Canvas prints are Gallery Wrapped.
  • Images are kept as true to the originals as possible.
  • All posters from American Wholesaler Org are made on demand one-at-a-time for our valued customers.
  • Shipping for first item is .98 and .99 for each additional item from our store.

I love the Marimba (heart) t-shirts, stickers, clothes and gifts

I Love Playing the Marimba Tote Bag 1964 DEAGAN MARIMBA JAPANESE TEXT AD
US $9.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:03:41 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/30-x-20-stretched-canvas-poster-marimba-of-south-africa/feed/ 0 MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal http://www.senni.com/mxr-m116-fullbore-metal-distortion-guitar-effects-pedal/ http://www.senni.com/mxr-m116-fullbore-metal-distortion-guitar-effects-pedal/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:00:29 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/mxr-m116-fullbore-metal-distortion-guitar-effects-pedal/
Ultimate riff power is yours with the FullBore Metal Distortion pedal from MXR. This compact but powerful device is all you need to unleash the most devastating contemporary metal guitar tones ever heard. The FullBore pedal turbo-charges your guitar…

  • Super high-gain distortion
  • Three band EQ with sweepable mid frequencies
  • Tight, fast, switchable Noise Gate for syncopated metal riffage
  • Internal Gate Trigger control lets you set the Noise Gate’s sensitivity
  • Scoop Switch boost the highs and lows while the EQ stays active

Rating: (out of 1 reviews)


The affordable new ME-25 is packed with powerful BOSS features to make you sound like a pro, yet it’s as fun and easy to use as a stompbox. The built-in SOUND LIBRARY gives you instant access to dozens of classic and modern effects. Simply choose a category, select a variation, and play. Customize your sound with simple twists of the Drive, Tone, and Volume knobs. With COSM amp models onboard, plus Super Stack and Phrase Loop, the ME-25 is a dream processor for upstart guitarists who want great sound and ease of use.

Boss ME-25 Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal ZOOM 606 GUITAR MULTI EFFECTS FLOORBOARD PROCESSOR
US $21.99 (4 Bids)
End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 8:33:15 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/mxr-m116-fullbore-metal-distortion-guitar-effects-pedal/feed/ 1 Visual Solfeg: S Systematic Visual Practice Method for Attaining Skill in the Use of Solfeg Syllables for Sight Reading and Ear Training of Class and Private Vocal Students From the Grades Through College. http://www.senni.com/visual-solfeg-s-systematic-visual-practice-method-for-attaining-skill-in-the-use-of-solfeg-syllables-for-sight-reading-and-ear-training-of-class-and-private-vocal-students-from-the-grades-through-col/ http://www.senni.com/visual-solfeg-s-systematic-visual-practice-method-for-attaining-skill-in-the-use-of-solfeg-syllables-for-sight-reading-and-ear-training-of-class-and-private-vocal-students-from-the-grades-through-col/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:00:26 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/visual-solfeg-s-systematic-visual-practice-method-for-attaining-skill-in-the-use-of-solfeg-syllables-for-sight-reading-and-ear-training-of-class-and-private-vocal-students-from-the-grades-through-col/


Publisher: Boston: O. Ditson Publication date: 1904 Subjects: Ear training Notes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there.

Ear Training for Teacher and Pupil Ear Training: One Note Complete Method with 3 CDs (Bruc
US $90.33
End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 12:53:48 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $90.33
Buy it now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/visual-solfeg-s-systematic-visual-practice-method-for-attaining-skill-in-the-use-of-solfeg-syllables-for-sight-reading-and-ear-training-of-class-and-private-vocal-students-from-the-grades-through-col/feed/ 0 Latin Percussion LP1208-K Stealth Jam Block With Pkg Mount Bk http://www.senni.com/latin-percussion-lp1208-k-stealth-jam-block-with-pkg-mount-bk/ http://www.senni.com/latin-percussion-lp1208-k-stealth-jam-block-with-pkg-mount-bk/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:00:23 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/latin-percussion-lp1208-k-stealth-jam-block-with-pkg-mount-bk/
Sleek black Jam Block with red foil stamped LP logo

  • Produces rich sounds of wood blocks
  • High quality Jenigor, LP’s exclusive plastic formulation
  • Original patented design
  • Black powder coated mount and bracket with eye bolt assembly
  • Strength and durability to withstand even the hardest hitting players
Percussion Plus 5 piece Junior Child's Drum Set - Black
US $269.00
End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 7:11:52 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $269.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/latin-percussion-lp1208-k-stealth-jam-block-with-pkg-mount-bk/feed/ 0 Vincent Lopez (Modern Piano Method, Book III) http://www.senni.com/vincent-lopez-modern-piano-method-book-iii/ http://www.senni.com/vincent-lopez-modern-piano-method-book-iii/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:00:21 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/vincent-lopez-modern-piano-method-book-iii/
Blues, “Hot” chords and how to use them. Modulation patterns to all keys. Modern trick harmonies; cadence; pyramids oor bell chords; inventing “Hot” and “Blue” breaks.

The Adult Piano Method - Play by Choice NEW
US $18.73
End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 18:28:16 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $18.73
Buy it now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/vincent-lopez-modern-piano-method-book-iii/feed/ 0 Stick Control http://www.senni.com/stick-control/ http://www.senni.com/stick-control/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:00:15 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/stick-control/
George Lawrence Stone’s Stick Control is the original classic, often called the bible of drumming. In 1993, Modern Drummer magazine named it one of the top 25 drumming books of all-time. In the words of the author, this is the ideal book for improving “control, speed, flexibility, touch, rhythm, lightness, delicacy, power, endurance, preciseness of execution, and muscular coordination,” with extra attention given to the development of the weak hand. This indispensable book for drummers of all types includes hundreds of basic to advanced rhythms and moves through categories of single-beat combinations, triplets, short roll combinations, flam beats, flam triplets and dotted notes, and short roll progressions.

  • Book Pages: 48
  • By George Lawrence Stone

By Ney Rosauro. For Percussion. Published by Carl Fischer/Ney Rosauro.

Snare Drum Method-Vol. 2 The Erskine Method for Drumset - Drum Instruction DVD
US $17.50
End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 14:30:43 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $17.50
Buy it now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/stick-control/feed/ 0 CD/DOWNLOAD/ALBUM: Deep Cuts: Chicago Transit Authority “Free Form Guitar” (1969) http://www.senni.com/cddownloadalbum-deep-cuts-chicago-transit-authority-free-form-guitar-1969/ http://www.senni.com/cddownloadalbum-deep-cuts-chicago-transit-authority-free-form-guitar-1969/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:01:22 +0000 Hervé Senni http://www.senni.com/cddownloadalbum-deep-cuts-chicago-transit-authority-free-form-guitar-1969/ CD/DOWNLOAD/ALBUM: Deep Cuts: Chicago Transit Authority “Free Form Guitar” (1969)

By Pico We all know this, but sometimes we need to be reminded that Chicago is a mainstream rock band that was once a rock/jazz/blues/R&B/whack jazz masquerading as a mainstream rock band. Wait a minute, you say, “whack jazz”??? Not just whack jazz, but the extreme kind of whack jazz. If you still have a worn-out vinyl copy of the band’s spectacular debut album Chicago Transit Authority, chances …
Read more on All About Jazz


The Pedals of the Piano-Forte

The Pedals of the Piano-Forte

Danelectro D-1 Fab Distortion Effects Pedal
In the late 1970′s, a tiny effects maker in Japan produced a small quantity of what many believe is THE definitive distortion box….
Pedal Steel Guitar Help Me Make It Through Course DS-3
US $14.00
End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 3:48:05 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $14.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
]]> http://www.senni.com/cddownloadalbum-deep-cuts-chicago-transit-authority-free-form-guitar-1969/feed/ 0