Études for the Orchestral Cymbalist: Developing the Skills for Successful Crash Cymbals Performance

Abstract

In the study of percussion instruments as a part of a collegiate education, the focus is usually placed upon performance of literature from four major areas: snare drum, mallet percussion, timpani, and multiple percussion. This often leaves an instructional gap in the field of performance on percussion accessory instruments, including performance of orchestral crash cymbals. Though literature exists for the instruction of techniques required for commonly performed orchestral works and collections of basic études for cymbals, currently no pedagogical literature exists that cultivates the techniques required for performance of standard orchestral literature through technical études. By identifying required techniques for the performance of standard orchestral literature, technical études have been composed in order to assist with the development of six essential core techniques required to perform the most widely performed orchestral repertoire and works requested in professional orchestral auditions. In addition to these technical études, accompaniment tracks have been composed, incorporating music from the original orchestral works to help educate performance and cultivate a greater familiarity with the repertoire for which the études are specifically designed.