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Unit of study_

PRCN2006: Resource Class - Percussion

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Sydney

This unit provides students with an introduction to and performance experience on a wide range of percussion instruments. The aim of this unit is to: introduce students to performance techniques on orchestral, latin, ethnic and commercial percussion instruments; provide students with historical information about instruments in the percussion family; and enable students to assemble and perform basic maintenance on school percussion instruments. On completion students will be prepared to face the situations usually encountered in elementary classroom, and ensemble teaching of percussion instruments.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PRCN2006
Academic unit
Credit points 3
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Steven Machamer, steven.machamer@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Steven Machamer, steven.machamer@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Exam
40% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8
Creative assessment / demonstration quiz snare drum components and Rudiments
written, short answer, and multiple choice on Drum Rudiments and Components
5% Week 04 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Creative assessment / demonstration Drum chart
10% Week 05 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration Percussion Ensemble arrangement or composition
Full score, and separate individual parts, four to six instruments
20% Week 11 Approximately 32 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Portfolio
20% Week 12 20 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO9
Skills-based evaluation Practical exam on drum rudiments
delivered online
5% Week 13 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.

Credit

65 - 74

Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.

Pass

50 - 64

Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.

Fail

0 - 49

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Snare Drum: components, playing position, sticks, grip, 5 basic strokes (full, down, up, tap, buzz), Rudiments; Single Stroke Roll, Single Paradiddle, Double Paradiddle, Flam, Flam tap, Ruff (drag). "The Downfall of Paris" stickings and accents Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO8 LO9
Week 02 "Downfall of Paris" Version 2 with Flams. Snare Drum: Rudiments; Long Roll (double stroke),Five Stroke Roll, Seven Stroke Roll, Nine Stroke Roll. "Downfall of Paris" Version 3 with rolls and all previous rudiments Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO8 LO9
Week 03 Viva voce quiz: on snare drum parts, technique, rudiments. Lecture on Drum Kit: How to assemble; name of parts; foot technique; basic rock beats. Straight eighth-note feel. Individual playing participation. Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO8 LO9
Witten assessed quiz on Snare Drum components and Rudiments, (5% of total mark). More Drum Kit: How to transcribe a drum chart from a recording. Straight 8th cont., Bossa Nova; Relaxed, triplet 8th-note feel, Swing beat, Shuffle. Assignment: One minute drum transcription from a rock/pop song (24 bars min. due: next class) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO8 LO9
Week 05 ALL DUE: , One Minute Drum Chart: waiting=10%.(24 bars min. in standard kit format) Mallet Percussion: Xylophone, Marimba, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Chimes (Tubular Bells), Crotales. Appropriate mallets, and exercises. Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 06 Viva voce exam: on lessons 3,4,5, Mallet Percussion: the four Mallet grips: "Burton" (Traditional, Musser). Changing mallet widths, Exercises, Block chords, Chord voicing Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 07 Timpani: History, Types of drums i.e., Pedal, Dresden Style, Hand Tuned, copper, fiberglass, tuning, basic stroke, mallet choices, range of drums, dampening, maintenance. Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO5 LO8 LO9
Week 08 Auxiliary Percussion (Orchestral): Notation for instruments, Bass Drum stick choice; Crash Cymbals, how to hold, basic stroke, Tambourine various techniques, Triangle, Gongs (tam tam), Castanets Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6 LO8 LO9
Week 09 Viva voce on timpani, auxiliary, and four mallet techniques. Latin Percussion: introduction to Congas, Bongos, Claves, Guiro, ago-go bells, Cow bells, Vibra slap, Cabassa, Timbales, Maracas, Shakers. Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 11 Due: Composition or arrangement to be played by the class. Weighting=20% of Portfolio grade. Must have a drum kit part, 2 mallet parts, and tim- pani part. Six parts Max. 40 bars minimum. Present one score for marking, and individual parts. Observe correct range and notation. Ensemble Playing, revision of your compositions. Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 12 Viva voce on all previous material. Composition or arrangement to be played by the class. Continue performing student compositions. Review for Exam, and Rudiments. Due: Your portfolio of weekly class notes for the course (counts towards 20% of assessment). Practical Exam on Snare drum rudiments (10%) Play rudiments from memory, or a short rudimental snare drum piece (10% of assessment). Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 13 In Class written assessment on all topics of this course. (35% of total mark) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance:As per the Sydney Conservatorium of Music resolutions, http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/conservatorium/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml (Item 11): Full (100 per cent) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student's contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of illness or misadventure, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The Art of Percussion Playing    by Anthony J. Cirone, Neil Grover, Garwood Whaley,  Pub. Meridith Music Publications/Hal Leonard

(HL00317158)

 

Timpani Technique 

Timpani Technique | Josh Gottry (gottrypercussion.com)

Conga Hand Drum Skills

Learn to Play Conga Drums: 7 Basic Sounds for Beginners - YouTube

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate basic drum rudiments
  • LO2. understand the challenges of using three and four way hand/foot independence required for playing the drum kit
  • LO3. transcribe the drum kit part to a popular song using standard kit notation
  • LO4. use both 2 and 4 mallet grips on keyboard percussion instruments
  • LO5. have an awareness of the the timpani history, design, tuning, mallets, and basic playing skills
  • LO6. demonstrate knowledge of standard band and orchestral percussion including bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, tam tam (gong), woodblocks, castanets.
  • LO7. experience hand drumming techniques on congas, and bongos, as utilized in standard Latin percussion rhythm sections along with the claves, quiro, timbales, and cowbell.
  • LO8. arrange for percussion ensemble using correct ranges and notation for instruments
  • LO9. perform student compositions in the final weeks of the course.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The con will provide enough practice pads for students warming up for the short practical exam in week 12.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.