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One aspect of music-making that percussionists have always had to deal with, is how to practice while adhering to rules restricting volume levels in places such as apartments or rehearsal spaces next to other commercial spaces. This issue has been pushed to the forefront during stay-at-home orders as many educational and arts organizations have been placed on hold, and thousands of musicians no longer have access to practice rooms to hone their art. It’s affected me personally as students who are taking online lessons have had to adjust their lesson times to accommodate their neighbors who are working from home. With this in mind, it seems like a perfect time to address how best to adapt to practicing in limited-volume environments.

 

Be a Good Neighbor

I’ve always spoken with the neighbors who will be affected to describe my need to practice. Most people are reasonable and want to help and appreciate the kindness of being approached. In fact, just last week, our next-door neighbor said she likes hearing our 15-year old practice his trumpet!

 

Soundproof Your Space

Another consideration is to use materials to soundproof your space. Carpet, heavy curtains, packing blankets, egg-crate foam or a variety of acoustical products like this On-Stage Acoustical Wall Treatment are great options.

 

Visualize

This is a great opportunity to allocate a portion of your practice time to visualizing the music. I’ve learned music by imagining I’m playing on a percussion set-up and writing in the stickings and choreographing my movements. Interestingly, the first time I had played on the actual set-up it was as if I was playing on it the entire time. It works!

 

Modify your Instruments

Modify your instruments to reduce the volume. Try placing cloth or foam inside drums; underneath cymbals or drum heads; between accidentals and naturals on keyboard instruments or even underneath each bar to help reduce resonance and volume. Mesh drum heads and cymbals designed to limit volume are also good choices:

Drum Heads & Cymbals
Remo Silentstroke Mesh Drum Heads
Evans SoundOff Mesh Drum Heads
Rtom Black Hole Practice Pads
Zildjian L80 LV348 Low Volume Cymbal Set
Zildjian L80 LV468RH Quiet Cymbal and Drum Head Pack
Sabian Quiet Tone QTPC501 Practice Cymbal Pack

 

Change Implements

By using softer mallets or rubber-tipped practice sticks one can greatly reduce the volume produced. Because the rebound will vary, it’s also a good opportunity to learn how different materials alter an implement’s rebound.

Yarn Mallets
Mike Balter Basics BB3 Soft Birch Marimba Mallets
Vic Firth Van Sice M112 Soft Mono-tonal Marimba Mallets
Innovative Percussion Soloist IP200 Medium Soft Lacquered Birch Marimba Mallets
ProMark Diversity Series DV1 Soft Marimba Mallets

Rubber Mallets
Mike Balter Basics BB9 Soft Rubber Birch Keyboard Mallets
Innovative Percussion Fundamental Series F7 Soft Rubber Xylophone Mallets
Mike Balter Unwound 2B Soft Tan Rubber Birch Mallets
Soft Xylophone Mallets

Rubber Stick Tips
Vic Firth Umpt Universal Marching Practice Tips
Vic Firth Upt Universal Practice Tips
Innovative Percussion RPT-1 Drumstick Practice Tips

Sticks
Vic Firth 5BCO “Chop-out”Practice Drumsticks
Vic Firth Corpsmaster MS6 “Chop-out” Practice Snare Sticks
Vic Firth Corpsmaster SRH2CO Ralph Hardimon Chopout Sticks
ProMark TXXB3 Scott Johnson “ScoJo” Practice Sticks

 

Use Substitutions

Rather than using traditional acoustic instruments, consider using practice instruments, electronic drum sets like this Alesis Turbo Mesh Electronic Drumset or these other electronic drum options, or electronic instruments such as the Mallet Station Kits or the Pearl K108 BopPad 4 Zone Electric Drum Controller, which all have the added advantage of having access to programs such as SmartMusic music learning software and a catalog of sounds.

Each of the above suggestions is even more impactful when used in combination with each other. With creativity and perseverance, we can continue our practice regimen and be good neighbors! If you have questions or would like to suggest topics for my guest blogging for Percussion Source, please feel free to contact me at guestblogger@percussionsource.com.

Thanks for reading, stay safe, and keep learning!