The Vocalist’s Guide To Percussion

A singer who knows and understands percussion can be as valuable to a band as a percussionist who can sing back-up. But that does not mean a singer can just pick something up and start beating on it.

The fact of the matter is, percussion has just as many technical skills to learn as does any other type of instrument.

When a vocalist wants to do more than just sing, they typically choose a percussion instrument as there are no chords, fingerings or notes to read off a page. Plus, they typically need something that fits the music. Not all drummers sing, and not all singers should be drummers. But if it adds to the music and is done properly (such as filling in vocal breaks, or adding a background layer to instrumental solo) fine. Nothing will throw off a performance more than someone playing a percussion instrument off the beat, too loud or too busy. Take, for example, the lead singer who picks up a tambourine and very loudly and busily steps it up to the microphone and plays it throughout the performance non-stop.

Build Your Skill Set
It is very important to take a few lessons. Drum lessons will help you develop the muscles in your wrists and hands needed to play any percussion instrument. I suggest you start with a practice pad, a pair if sticks, and a copy of Buddy Rich’s Modern Interpretation of Snare Drum Rudiments. This book is very self-explanatory and will help you get a feel for the basics of percussion. Once you have put some time into this, you can always take a lesson on a particular percussion instrument from someone who plays it on a regular basis.

Here are some common instruments a vocalist could become proficient on… You will find five examples here.

Shakers / Maracas / Eggs
These used to be known as Latin instruments. Today, we will find shakers in all styles of music. They are also found in many different shapes including the ever popular EGG. Musically speaking, they are used in the background as they have a very high pitch sound and can be heard easily. They are literally “shaken” to the beat. Each one has a different timbre depending on how and what they are made of. Most shakers today are made of plastic or even metal. Maracas are made out of wood, giving them a more mellow sound. Each musical style will call for a different sound. You should always have a few to choose from.

You can find these in most any music store such as Sam Ash or Guitar Center. Make your choice based on the sound you like. The Eggs are typically priced in the $2-$5 range. There is a Latin Percussion shaker called “Soft Shaker” that is around $15 Another one, called “Studio Shaker,” is in that range as well.

Tambourine
Tambourines come in all shapes and sizes. They can be made of wood or of a plastic frame with pairs of small metal jingles called “zils” attached. Some of the more traditional versions of the tambourines may also have a single drum head. Those are mostly used for classical or Middle Eastern music. The more modern and well known of today’s tambourines is in the shape of a half moon and is used in folk or rock music. It can be used by simply shaking the tambourine as well as striking it on your hand or side of your body. It can also be used by striking it with a stick.

It is a higher pitched instrument and can be heard very well away from a microphone. They vary in price depending on the material being used. Each one will have a distinctly different sound, especially if it has a head attached. The most popular one for the rock sound is called the “Rhythm Tech” found anywhere from $15 on sale to $30 full price.

This instrument was made popular in rock music by The Beatles where it could be found in many of their songs. The Byrds used it of course, in “Mr. Tambourine Man.”

Cowbell
Yes, originally used for roaming animals, most musicians have come to know and love the cowbell as a percussion instrument. Made out of metal, the cowbell is widely used in Latin American music and is struck with a stick creating a very loud, high pitched sound. In modern music such as rock, the cowbell is used to keep a steady beat, as the instrument’s sound can cut through most other sounds. Like the claves, you can also create a certain repeated beat throughout the song.

This instrument is easy to find in most music stores and although it may vary in size, they are reasonably priced from $10 to $45. If you decide to mount it, you will need to purchase the attachment for it as well.

Once again, I recommend the Latin Percussion brand. Some popular songs using the cowbell are: Blue Oyster Cult in “Don’t Fear The Reaper” and the band Twisted Sister used it in “We’re Not Going to Take It.”

Agogo Bells
This is one of the oldest Samba instruments. They are made out of metal. This allows a differently pitched note to be produced depending on which bell has been hit. Originally wrought iron, they are now manufactured in a variety of metals and sizes for different sound qualities. The most common arrangement is two bells attached by a U shaped piece of metal. The smaller bell is held uppermost. Either bell may be hit with a wooden stick to make a cow-bell like sound or less commonly a clicking sound is produced by squeezing the two bells together.

David Byrne, lead singer of Talking Heads, used theses on various albums and live in concert. Also, these bells play a distinctive role within drummer Neil Peart’s solos during his live performances with the band Rush. Average price is $35 for a set.

Vibra-Slap
A vibraslap is a percussion instrument consisting of a piece of stiff wire (bent in a handle-like shape) connecting a wood ball to a block of wood with metal “teeth” inside. You hold the handle in one hand and strike the ball (usually against the palm of the other hand), the metal teeth vibrate against the wood block, causing a distinctive rattling sound. The instrument is the modern descendant of the jawbone.

This sound is like no other in the percussion family. It can be loud and it will cut through most other sounds!

It can be found mostly in Latin American music. As far as more modern music, listen for it in R.E.M.’s anti-war anthem “Orange Crush” and Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion.”

This Latin Percussion brand instrument will cost between $40 and $70 and can be found in the larger chain music stores and on-line.

Having a lead singer who can play any or all of these instruments can be such a bonus for any band out there. To learn any of these will help enhance your musical ability. Have a great gig!