Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • April 2013
13
Ray Ulibarri is beginning his 18
th
year as a percussion instructor in public schools. Mr. Ulibarri was Percussion Director at Pomona High
School in Arvada, Colorado, and a former Caption Head at The Bluecoats. He was the former Percussion Arranger for the Blue Knights
Percussion Ensemble and Crossmen. Mr. Ulibarri is currently at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas.
Serving as a clinician for Yamaha, Evans Drumheads, Innovative Percussion, and Zildjian, he has had the opportunity of traveling
extensively presenting clinics across the United States.
Finally, and most importantly, you need to make the
sound right for the hall where you are performing. If
you are hearing unwanted overtones that are interfering
or covering your winds, you may have to get creative. I
recommend E-Rings by Evans to dampen your snare drum.
They look like the outer perimeter of a drum head and lay
nicely over the top head. (See figure 1a.) Some people will
use a credit card taped to the top head or a wallet, but I
find these unsightly and inefficient as they cover only a
portion of the head.
For toms I use the EMAD. It is a tab that is applied to
the head to control overtones. (See figure 1b.) Both are
inexpensive and do the job nicely. For Bass Drum you
can use a folded bath towel to help dry up the sound and
make things less muddy. Timpani mutes can also help with
the same problem. These are available commercially, but
sewing two 5” circles of felt together with a 3/4” washer
inserted between solves this problem as well. Use the towel
and Timpani mutes sparingly as they are often overused.
Every hall is different, so get back and listen carefully to
the balance and blend of the entire ensemble. Ultimately,
there are no right or wrong choices, but with a little
experimentation and careful maintenance, your percussion
section can enhance your band’s sound and help your
percussionists take more pride in their individual
contributions to the ensemble.
“Tune Up! ” Gett ing Your Membranes Ready for the Stage
figure 1b
figure 1a