From the “noises-off” of the silent film era to Hal Blaine playing a tyre-chain on Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water, sound effects and world percussion have long been used to colour and enhance musical performances. I have studied traditional and contemporary Latin rhythms Cha Cha (Son), Rhumba, Samba (Batucada), Mambo, Bossa Nova, Salsa for an authentic accompaniment; or I can take a less literal approach and interpret some subtle world music flavour to a fundamental drum track.
The sonic space that hand-percussion can offer with typically high, transient frequencies and ‘staccato’ short sustain makes it perfect for adding texture to a recording without occupying the same space in the mix as vocals, guitars and other instruments. Innovative and interesting use of percussion and or household objects, pots and pans, boxes, bunches of keys, loose change… can really lift a track and I have no shame reaching for either an £800 snare drum or a £8 biscuit tin if one of them sounds right!
Premier 1939 Model Snare Drum
Premier 1939 Model Snare Drum
Premier 1939 Model Snare Drum
Here is a short-list of the percussion that I have to-hand. I am always adding new and interesting things! I have recently purchased an Alesis SamplePad Pro and have set about creating my own electronic sound bank using analogue synths to model my own hybrid Simmons and Synare inspired kit sounds as well as lo-fi 8-bit glitches and other strange bongs and clangs!
1950s Maracas
Djembe and Shaker
Vintage Flex-A-Tone
