Lab 2 - Writing for Percussion

$129.00

Live Course • 4 Weeks
Beginner to Intermediate Level

This four-week live course is designed to demystify the often misunderstood world of orchestral percussion. From thunderous bass drums to shimmering cymbals, expressive timpani, and colorful keyboard instruments, you’ll learn how to write for percussion with more confidence, clarity, and creativity.

Each session focuses on a different category of percussion, with an emphasis on practical, real-world writing and orchestration techniques. You’ll learn what’s playable, what’s effective, and how to use percussion to add energy, color, and structure to your music.

Week 1: Writing for Percussion + Unpitched Instruments — exploring texture, impact, and common writing techniques for drums, cymbals, and accessories
Week 2: Keyboard Percussion — learning the range, color, and expressive capabilities of marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, and chimes
Week 3: Timpani — mastering tuning, harmonic support, and idiomatic writing for one of the orchestra’s most powerful tools
Week 4: Common Pitfalls + Orchestration Techniques — how to avoid mistakes, assign parts practically, and blend percussion with other sections of the orchestra

With examples drawn from real scores, you’ll analyze how better to use percussion and apply those insights directly in short writing exercises and discussion.

🛠️ This is a lab-style class, so expect to listen, analyze, and apply the techniques we discuss each week. Each session runs 1 to 1.5 hours and includes a dedicated Q&A section, giving you space to dive deeper into your specific questions and orchestration challenges.

✅ All sessions are recorded. When you purchase your ticket, you’ll receive a link to join the first session live. Can’t attend? No problem — session recordings will be delivered to your inbox shortly after each class.

All sessions are held each Sunday between June 22 - July 13, live at 11:00 AM Central Time (CST).
That’s:
• 9:00 AM Pacific (PT)
• 12:00 PM Eastern (ET)
• 5:00 PM London (BST)

Live Course • 4 Weeks
Beginner to Intermediate Level

This four-week live course is designed to demystify the often misunderstood world of orchestral percussion. From thunderous bass drums to shimmering cymbals, expressive timpani, and colorful keyboard instruments, you’ll learn how to write for percussion with more confidence, clarity, and creativity.

Each session focuses on a different category of percussion, with an emphasis on practical, real-world writing and orchestration techniques. You’ll learn what’s playable, what’s effective, and how to use percussion to add energy, color, and structure to your music.

Week 1: Writing for Percussion + Unpitched Instruments — exploring texture, impact, and common writing techniques for drums, cymbals, and accessories
Week 2: Keyboard Percussion — learning the range, color, and expressive capabilities of marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, and chimes
Week 3: Timpani — mastering tuning, harmonic support, and idiomatic writing for one of the orchestra’s most powerful tools
Week 4: Common Pitfalls + Orchestration Techniques — how to avoid mistakes, assign parts practically, and blend percussion with other sections of the orchestra

With examples drawn from real scores, you’ll analyze how better to use percussion and apply those insights directly in short writing exercises and discussion.

🛠️ This is a lab-style class, so expect to listen, analyze, and apply the techniques we discuss each week. Each session runs 1 to 1.5 hours and includes a dedicated Q&A section, giving you space to dive deeper into your specific questions and orchestration challenges.

✅ All sessions are recorded. When you purchase your ticket, you’ll receive a link to join the first session live. Can’t attend? No problem — session recordings will be delivered to your inbox shortly after each class.

All sessions are held each Sunday between June 22 - July 13, live at 11:00 AM Central Time (CST).
That’s:
• 9:00 AM Pacific (PT)
• 12:00 PM Eastern (ET)
• 5:00 PM London (BST)