I have dedicated my life to the study of percussion and it’s many layers. Beyond just learning how to read music, performing percussion requires knowledge of techniques, instruments, stick and mallet choice, and how all of these factors effect the sounds produced. Within all of these factors are connections to physics.
One such factor is the concept of rebound in percussion. When a percussionist strikes an instrument beit a drum, a mallet instruments, or a cymbal, there is a certain amount of force that is returned to the stick after the initial strike. This sometimes results in the stick bouncing back up in a concept called rebound. This rebound force can be used a variety of different ways. It can be used to easily redirect the stick back towards the drum requiring less effort to strike the drum again, it can be used to manufacture two strikes of the instrument by using finger pressure, and it can be used to produce a “buzz stroke” which leads to drum rolls.
Another factor in percussion that is influenced by physics is volume. When a mallet strikes a marimba bar, it can produce a wide volume of sounds depending on the force exerted. In fact it is possible to produce a tone with a force so small that the initial “attack” of the mallet is nearly impossible to hear, with the resulting sound being pure tone. This technique is used to give marimba chorales a smooth connected feeling without any harsh sounds coming from the bars.
In conclusion force and physics have a large part to play in the performing of percussion instruments. More than just affecting volume, learning to manipulate the forces involved can result in a wide variety of sounds and effects that add textures and tambours to ensembles all over the world.
Destination: Alpha Centauri 