Percussion Department / University of Texas at Austin

FAQs: Orchestral

Where can I find definitions for percussion terms in other languages?

Where can I find orchestral excerpts?

How can I find calf heads?

How do you tuck a calf head?

How can I learn how rewrap mallets?

I need to re-string a (xylophone, marimba, vibraphone). What kind of cord should I use and where can I find it?

Where can I find out about orchestra and festival auditions?

How much does an orchestral percussionist make?

Q. Where can I find definitions for percussion terms in other languages?

A. Dictionary of Percussion Terms by: Morris Lang and Larry Spivack.
Small enough to fit into any gig bag, this book is a great resource for not only finding percussion terms but also translating them from any language.

Q. Where can I find orchestral excerpts?

A. List of excerpt books:

Modern School for Snare Drum: by Morris Goldenberg
Great source for snare, tambourine, triangle, and other accessories excerpts
Modern School for Xylophone Marimba Vibraphone: by Morris Goldenberg
Contains most major mallet excerpts
20th Century Orchestra Studies for Percussion: by Alan Abel
Mostly contains mallet excerpts of the 20th century with a few snare excerpts
Modern Method for Tympani: by Saul Goodman
Great source for major timpani excerpts
Classic Symphonies for Timpani: Morris Goldenberg
Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
Romanatic Symphonies for Timpani: by Morris Goldenberg
Schubert, Mendelssohn, Tchaickovsky, Brahms
Techniques of Playing Bass Drum, Cymbals, & Accessories: by Al Payson
accessory excerpts
Orchestral Repertoire for (Snare, Mallets, Accessories): by Raynor Carroll
These series of excerpt books have had many common mistakes corrected

Q. Where to find calf heads?

Q. How do you tuck a calf head?

A. Most calf heads can be purchase already tucked, but it is possible to tuck your own head.

You will need:

A calf head.
A tucking tool. The best place to find this is from Cooperman Drums. You can also make one by bending the end of a spoon (the end you hold).
Flesh Hoop

The head needs to be 8-10 thousands of an inch thick for snare heads, and slightly ticker for bass drums and timpani.

The head will be tuck around a hoop, or ring called a "flesh hoop". The tucking tool is used to push the skin under and around the hoop. Flesh hoops can be metal or wood. Wooden hoops are much easier to work with, but can warp during the drying process. Most timpani heads use a metal hoop for this reason, but snare and bass drum hoops should be wood. The reason for this is that a fresh calf head,when soaked, secretes a glucose substance that acts a "glue". This adheres to the wood and holds the head in place much better. Flesh hoops can be purchased from Cooperman drums.

The head must be big enough to fit around the hoop. Untucked heads are always sent oversized and must be cut precisely to fit the hoop. When cutting the head make sure it is wet. This is done by soaking the head in a tub of warm water for up to 15-20 minutes.

Cutting Instructions:

Measure the width and height of the flesh hoop.
Example:
Multiply the width x 3. Multiply the height x 2.
Place a "balled up" wet paper towel or rag (about the size of your fist) on table. Next place the wet head on top of the rag so that it creates a slight "bump" in the head. Lay the hoop on the wet head. With a ruler measure from the edge of the hoop and add the total measurements from step 2. Make a mark on the head about every inch so to create an "outer ring" from the hoop.
revome the hoop and cut the the along the mark with scissors.

Place the cut head back on top of the the wet rag (make sure it is soaked) . The purpose of the rag is two fold. It will help keep the head from drying out during the tucking process and it will create slack in the head. Next place the flesh hoop on the top of the head. You will want to tuck the head in 1/4s. It helps is recommended to have someone there to help. Fold the head over and with the tucking tool push the head under and up.

Do one 1/4 and have the other person hold that section while you move and do the opposite side. Complete the process until the head is finished

Once the head is tucked place it on a flat surface. keep the wet rag underneath so that the outside edges will dry first. Place a weight on top (A thick phone book works great !). This is to keep the hoop from wraping during the drying process. Alow 24 hours for the head to dry.

Q. How can I learn how rewrap mallets?

Mallet Repair: by Arthur Press (you can find this book at Steve Weiss)
Marc Soutendijk has an excellent, "How to make timpani sticks", page on his website.

Q. I need to re-string a (xylophone, marimba, vibraphone). What kind of cord should I use and where can I find it?

A. I have found that "parachute cord" works best for this purpose. It can be found at any army surplus store and cost around around $5 for 100 ft.

Q. Where can I find out about orchestra auditions?

A. The AFM (American Federaltion of Musicians) puts out a monthly paper called the International Musician. Though you must be a member of the Music Union to get this subscription, you can find this in most libraries.

The website Musical Chairs.com keeps a current data base of all music festivlas, orchestra auditions, and competions on an international basis.

John Tafoya has a page on his website johntafoya.com that list currnet job openings.

Q. How much does an orchestral percussionist make?

A. This page, http://rhapsodypercussion.com/jobs.html., found on rhapsody percussion.com list the minimum wages for all the major orchestras in the country.