Wired Beats (Two-Part Drum Pad Ensemble Collection)

Wired Beats is a collection of nine percussion ensembles written for two or more beginning to intermediate players. Utilizing the standard beginning percussion kit, these ensembles incorporate playing on the drum pad, pad rim, parts of the stand, and even the floor. Rhythms, sticking patterns, and special effects combine with accompaniment tracks to create fun yet challenging pieces designed to engage and develop young percussionists and may be used for both practice and performance.

Genre: Drum Pad Ensemble Collection | # of Players: 2 or More
Series: Collection
Level: Easy to Intermediate | Duration: 16:00 total

Instrumentation
Score (9"x12" stapled booklet)

Practice Pad 1 (one or more players)
Practice Pad 2 (one or more players)

DOWNLOAD ACCOMPANIMENT TRACKS

Program Notes

Wired Beats is a collection of nine percussion ensembles written for two or more beginning to intermediate players. Utilizing the standard beginning percussion kit, these ensembles incorporate playing on the drum pad, pad rim, parts of the stand, and even the floor. Rhythms, sticking patterns, and special effects combine to create fun yet challenging pieces designed to engage and develop young percussionists.

The pieces in Wired Beats are arranged progressively by difficulty. The first duet, "Rhythmic Circuitry," uses only quarter notes and rests, while the final piece, "MagLev," introduces sixteenth notes and more complex special effects. In addition to musical content, each piece incorporates the aforementioned elements of choreography and movement. These duets are ideal for improving reading, technique, coordination, and independence. Effects such as air drumming and pad-to-pad playing encourage linear motion and help build skills that transfer directly to mallet instruments, timpani, and multi-percussion setups.

All of these elements work together toward a common goal: teaching students to achieve a sense of flow throughout their performance.

About the Accompaniment Tracks
The accompaniment tracks featured in this collection draw inspiration from a wide range of electronic genres, including House, Jungle, and Downtempo, with additional influences from other subgenres through creative cross-pollination. Largely built using the extensive Logic Pro loop library, these tracks form a dynamic and evolving body of work: designed not only for educational use as accompaniments, but also as bite-sized standalone pieces in their own right. They were created after the duets were composed, using the music as a foundation to build complementary electronic accompaniments designed to reflect the musical ideas, structure, and overall vision in the original compositions.

The earlier tracks in the set emphasize a steady rhythmic pulse, often anchored by hi-hats or kick drums, to help musicians internalize the beat. These tracks also feature rich ambient textures and playful electronic sounds that enhance the overall playing experience.

As the collection progresses, the tracks become more musically complex and independent, encouraging greater interactivity between the performers and the accompaniment. The later, more advanced tracks incorporate increasingly independent musical elements such as distinct forms, melodic hooks, and typical chord progressions. The listener is gradually guided from foundational grooves to genre-blending Electronic Dance Music, culminating in the final two tracks, which incorporate elements of Trap, Hip-Hop, and Dubstep for a high-energy finish.