Tenor Techniques

by Lee Hansen, EMP Percussion

Here’s are some quick guidelines and tips for teaching playing positions and getting around drums:

Playing Positions:

The proper playing positions, or where to hit on the head, is about 2 ½” in from the rim. You don’t want to hit any closer to the barring edge because you will get a poor, “tinny” type of sound. As a side note, you may want that “tinny” sound for a specific texture or arrangement need. These tips are based on normal playing situations. If you play in the center of the head you will get a “dead”, dry sound. Playing in the specified area suggested (2 ½” in from the rim) would give you a good, clear, round sound. A good QUALITY of sound is what we want, right? An added bonus is that: your drums will project significantly more when using these guidelines.

Where around the drums do we use our 2 ½” from the rim rule? First and foremost, I try to do what feels natural and comfortable. If the motion you are using or teaching seems awkward in any way, something is not correct. Remember, tension and drumming do not mix. You don’t want to create a lot of distance between your elbows and the side of your body. Your elbows should rest gently against the body. For some body types the elbows will rest off of the body but they should never stick out as if you have two casts on your arms. Keep in mind; a compact motion will help increase speed.

The red lines in this illustration can be used as a visual guide. With new students, it is sometimes helpful to practice with these areas taped off. That way your kids can take a brief look down and evaluate their progress and accuracy. With regard to drums three and four, you should be aiming for 2 ½” closest to drums one and two.

If you have a 6” drum in the middle, play in the center of the head. The drum is very small and is usually cranked up really high. The best quality of sound is in the center.

Getting Around Drums:

When playing around the drums, it’s easier to think of moving side to side with the wrists. Keep your motion compact. Anytime you put large distances between your sticks and the head; you are inviting errors and variation. Stay low to the drums. Besides, lifting the forearm as a primary motion and attacking every drum on the way around is cumbersome and slow. There will be some forearm movement by nature. Don’t let it be your primary motion. Ultimately, your hands should FLOW around the drums. Think of your forearm as a means of direction first and stroke second. Using this philosophy will increase your tenor line’s fluidity. If the forearm motion is excessive it will cause the hips to turn. Your tenor players should be able to stand up straight and glide around the surfaces without moving their lower body.

Everything is hard until it becomes easy. It’s a simple truth. Always remember to play things slow at first. If you can’t play it slow, you can’t play it fast.

Lee Hansen

Lee Hansen is a Professional Percussionist and a Drum Corps International World Champion Drummer. He is also an arranger for Express Music Percussion Publishing and is currently endorsed by Vic Firth Sticks, Premier Percussion and Sabian Cymbals

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