Most electronic percussion controllers come in the form of an acoustic pick-up mounted to the underside of a metal plate. The metal plate is covered with a rubber playing surface. The pickup sends a voltage signal whenever the playing surface is struck. Electronic drum pads require a "brain" or a module that accepts trigger inputs. 1/4 inch instrument cables are typically used to connect the drum pads to a drum module. The input signals received by the brain are translated into computer language or MIDI data messages so they can play percussion sounds from a drum synthesizer. Some drum machines or modules, such as the Alesis D4, serve as both a trigger input brain and sound source. A few drum machines have velocity sensitive finger buttons that trigger their sounds. The Roland SPD-11 has 8 rectangular pads that produce onboard sampled percussion sounds when struck. The Kat Drumkat has 10 pads which form Mickey Mouse silhouette. Since the Drumkat does not have a built in sound source it must be connected to an external sound module with a MIDI cable.
Acoustic drums can be converted to electronic drum triggers by mounting specially designed acoustic pick-ups on the rims or heads. These pick-ups are essentially microphones that send a voltage signal when the drum head is struck. The electronic and the acoustic sounds will be heard simultaneously.
Electronic percussion triggers such as the Dauz electronic drum kit pictured above have some advantages over acoustic instruments. They don't require tuning or physical maintenance and their heads never break. The sounds they produce can be altered to suit the needs of a particular style or piece of music. A set of drum pads can serve as a set of wood blocks for one piece, timpani for the next piece or cannons for another. Electronic drums, like other synthesizers, require amplification. Keyboard amplifiers and P.A. systems both serve well for electronic percussion sound re-enforcement.
Since most young percussionists begin their musical training on gum rubber
practice pads they easily adapt their playing technique to the similar
surface of electronic drum pads.
One major advantage of a set of pads is that they can be played through
headphones. Several students can practice in the same room without
interfering with each other or with people in adjoining rooms. Students can
also practice at home without fear of disturbing family members. I know
some parents who would pay any amount of money for such a drum set.
Striking a percussion controller can trigger pitched tones as well as
non-pitched or traditional percussion sounds. With the appropriate hardware
a single percussion controller can be set to produce a series of pitches or
chords. Students can trigger melodies and chords by hitting pads with
drumsticks, mallets or fingers. Teachers can introduce melodic and rhythmic
improvisation by programming pre-set melodies and harmonies. This is also
a fun and interactive way to introduce students to composition.
While most drum machines excel at playing rhythmic patterns some can also act as sequence recorders. Drum pads permit students to record drum performances in real time as MIDI data. This MIDI sequence data can be written out and printed in standard musical notation by a computer notation program such as Encore, Finale or Overture. A computer or keyboard based sequencer is ideal for recording and editing compositions realized with percussion instruments.
When a sampler serves as the sound source, students can use drum pads to trigger sound effects for video or live dramatic performances. This also allows triggering of sampled "grooves" or sections of recorded audio tracks from CD's or tapes. Teachers can trigger musical accompaniment for practice, performance or rhythmic training.
MIDI show control is a set of commands that allow MIDI controllers such as drum pads to trigger lighting and other special effects. With the appropriate hardware you can control any electrical device with a drum stick. Imagine your students experimenting with interactive sound and visual effects in a concert.
Electronic percussion instruments are exiting and motivating for students. They are powerful and flexible tools that music teachers can use to enhance and accelerate learning.
Terry Nigrelli is instrumental music teacher in Bay Shore, NY. He also works as a freelance trombone player. Terry holds a B.S. from Manhattan School of Music and an M.S. from The Juilliard School. Ed Schaefer is also an instrumental music teacher in Bay Shore, NY. He holds a B.S. from Indiana University of Penn. and a M.S in Education from C.W. Post college. Ed is an electronic percussionist and composer.