[Performance techniques in drumming]
In drumming there are many techniques that we can talk about. These techniques being things like rolls, cross sticks, brush playing and ghost notes.
Rolls - This is a techniques where the drummer rapidly plays the drum to create a continuous sound. This is most known for being done on the snare drum but it can also be performed on many drums or cymbals, most likely the high-hat, ride, or floor tom. A roll can be played using string strokes which consists of alternating hands, or with double strokes which is where each hand plays a note twice, also known as a double stroke roll. Another pretty common type of roll is a buzz roll. This is where the drummer presses the sticks into the drum head to create this really fast, buzzing effect on the drum. You can see rolls being used more in marching bands or drums fills to build a nice layer of tension.
Cross sticks - This is a technique where the drummer lays one drumstick across the snare drum and strikes the rim with the other end of the stick. The sharp sound that is produced from the snare is softer and more controlled than a regular hit of the snare. Cross sticks are more commonly seen in genres like Jazz, Latin or Reggae, being used to create a more laid back groove. This technique can also be used in R&B and country in order to give a nice, subtle rhythmic texture.
Brush playing - This is a technique that requires the drummer to use wire or nylon brushes instead of the typical drumsticks. These brushes produce a much softer and swishing sound, making them ideal for jazz and blues. When using these brushes, the drummers often use circular motions on the snare in order to create a nice and smooth rhythm. The brushes can also be used for a nice, light tapping or accents to add some texture to the song without overwhelming the mix. Brush playing is most commonly seen in ballads and swing jazz.
Ghost notes - This of note is often very soft and subtle in the background of drumming. They are often played at a much lower volumes compared to the main beat. They are typically used on the snare drum to add some depth and groove to the rhythm without standing out too much. Ghost notes are an essential when it comes to funk and hip-hop drumming in order to help create a syncopated and dynamic feel. For example, in funk drumming, ghost notes fill in the empty space between the strong backbeats to make the groove feel more lively. These notes are usually played with a light, gentle touch, allowing them to blend into the overall rhythm of a song.
[Performance techniques in piano playing]
Legato and Staccato - these are two completely contrasting techniques in the piano criteria. Legato is where you play notes smoothly and connected, letting them ring out, with no noticeable gaps between the notes. This is achieved by keeping your fingers on the previous key whilst playing the next key. Doing this creates a nice flowing and lyrical sound. It is commonly seen in classical music and stuff like jazz and romantic piano pieces. Where in contrast to that, staccato means playing notes short and separated, making sure this is done clearly between each note. This is done by quickly releasing your fingers off of the keys after striking them, producing a sharp-like bounce effect. Staccato is often used in those fast or rhythmic passages that gives that that energetic feel to it. These techniques can be alternated the way you life in order to add some dynamic contrast within a piece of music.
Arpeggios - An arpeggio is where the notes in a chord are played one at a time rather than all together. This technique can be performed in any order, whether that be in an ascending or a descending order. Arpeggios are usually used to create a hard like effect that flows quite nicely. This technique is mainly seen in genres like jazz and classical music because of how it helps to provide the movement and expression that typically comes with that style of music. In piano playing, arpeggios are typically used for solo runs or dramatic flourishes. For example, In Beethoven's piece 'Moonlight Sonata', the left hand plays the arpeggios continuously to create a nice layer of texture within in the piece.
Glissando - A glissando is where you you rapidly slide your hand or finger across the piano keys in either an ascending or descending order. Doing this creates a nice and smoothing sweeping sound which produces a dramatic and flashy sound. Glissandos are frequently used in theatre music and romantic music as well as jazz. This is done to add either more intensity or excitement, or in more theatrical performances, it could be used as a magical effect.
Use of the pedal - There are normally three pedals on a piano. These are the following: Sostenuto pedal, soft pedal, sustain pedal.
The sostenuto pedal is the usually the middle pedal on the piano and when triggered, it will only sustain the notes that are currently being held down. This allows new notes to be played normally. It is used in most of the more complicated classical pieces where the selective sustain is needed.
The soft pedal is usually the pedal on the left and is shifts the pianos action ever so slightly so that the hammers either strike less strings when using a grand piano, or strike them more softly on an upright piano. This is done to produce a more quiet and delicate tone which is really useful in those soft and intimate passages.
The sustain pedal is usually the pedal on the right and the most commonly known pedal. When pressed, this pedal lifts the dampers off of the strings to allow the notes to ring out and blend together. This is one of the most essential techniques for creating smooth legato passages and some deep, emotion feeling to the music.
[Performance techniques in Guitar]
Tapping - This technique is done by whoever is playing the guitar uses their picking hand to tap a fret on the neck in order to produce a note without picking the string, usual done using the middle or index finger. This allows the guitarist to use fast legato playing and is often used in shredding and sols. Tapping can be combined with hammer ons and pulls offs to create a rapid and cascading note sequence.
Hammers ons and pull offs are some common legato techniques that allow the guitarist to play notes without the need to re-pick them.
Pull-offs, in contrast to hammer-ons, call for the removal of a finger from the string to release a lower note without it being picked again. Used frequently in conjunction with hammer-ons, pull-offs permit fast note changes.
Pull-offs and hammer-ons are instances of legato techniques that enable a guitarist to perform notes in a smooth manner without the need to pluck the strings again.
The technique called hammer ons permits a player to create a subsequent note without having to re-pick the string. First, a note is plucked, and then a finger is thrust down onto the guitar's neck, and a note sounds. Hammer ons produce a connected, smooth sound, and they are often used in rapid, flowing scales.
The technique of palm muting(also called palm mute) is when the guitarist places the palm of their picking hand down on the strings close to the bridge while they are playing. This quiets things down and gives them a tight, percussive, muted sound.
Unlike open guitar playing, palm muting is very common in heavy metal, punk, and rock which adds rhythm to the music. It’s used to produce a “chugging” sound, especially in power chord riffs. Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” is a great example of this, with fast palm-muted riffs pushing the energy of the song forward.