Practical Percussion

During the second half of the 20th century a dramatic change took place in the field of percussion, leaving no aspect untouched - the instruments themselves, their manufacture and availability, playing techniques, writing for all the various types of percussion, and, not least, standards of performance. The author was fortunate to enjoy a career of almost half a century as a professional percussionist during this period of creative revolution and expansion. Having worked with many leading British orchestras, conductors and composers, and playing as a soloist in numerous contemporary works, he is well placed to assess the changes that have taken place and to provide an up-to date reference book that reflects the state of the world of percussion at the start of the new millennium. Writing with authority and experience, he lists and describes the entire gamut of percussion instruments, together with their ranges where appropriate, and, most importantly, he suggests where the instruments may be obtained.