Most students start their musical journey on an entry-level instrument, and upgrade to a performance level instrument after a few years. For wind, brass, and string instruments, this is pretty straight forward - but for percussionists it is a little different. What does a percussionist need when they have outgrown an entry-level rental bell kit?

There are many different options for percussionists depending on the path they take on their percussion education. A logical step would be to graduate to a concert snare drum and a practice marimba, given that these are the two most common instruments within the percussion section in a concert band. These instruments are vital for students to progress. We surveyed a collection of the finest band educators in western Pennsylvania, and they agree on recommending these instruments for a student who has outgrown the typical rental percussion kit.

David Gale is a violinist who has been playing since he was in fourth grade. He has also played guitar since he was ten years old, as well as a little bit of piano and mandolin. He studied at Johnstonbaugh's Music Centers for several years with Gil Bigenho and Matthew Korbanic. A graduate of Plum High School, David is currently a sophomore at Ohio Wesleyan University pursuing a BA in Music Performance (Violin).

What did you enjoy most about taking lessons at Johnstonbaugh's?

I enjoyed how much I was able to learn and grow with my teachers' help. They pushed me to do the very best I possibly could and to take more self responsibility.

Do you have a favorite piece of music to play? Why is it your favorite?

I don’t really have any particular piece I like to play because I like a lot of music. Vittorio Monti’s “Czardas” is one piece I have been playing recently that I enjoy very much. It has a nice range of dynamics and tempo that is fun to play.

What did your teachers do to help you prepare for college auditions?

I was helped tremendously by my teachers giving me a lot of strategies to practice effectively.

How did life as a music major change when your college made the shift to online learning?

The main thing that changed for me was that my orchestra was split into smaller groups to play. Outside of that, nothing else really changed too much for me as a whole.

What advice would you have for anyone auditioning for music programs this year?

I would first say to trust in yourself and your practicing because if you don’t believe in yourself, you will set yourself up to be stressed and disappointed. Furthermore, just have fun playing. Playing an instrument seriously in this way should be something you are passionate about, so just relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor because you are ready.

Want to nominate a JMC student to be featured in a future newsletter? Reply to this email or send a message to info@johnstonbaughs.com!