price $35

STYLES & SMILES can be played with bells, xylophone, snare, toms (2), bass drum, susp. cymbal and small auxiliary percussion instruments (claves, whistles, etc…). No exotic percussion instruments are necessary. The collection is designed to give a percussion ensemble a variety of performance style options, while using standard percussion instruments that are available in most HS/MS’s. Included are battery-only arrangements for the first two pieces (Mo’ Bossa and Mambowambo) to aid in transitioning students coming from battery-only to ensemble with mallet parts for the first time. The “Ensemble” arrangements contain Bells and Xylophone parts replacing two battery players.
Listen to all eight arrangements below!

STYLES & SMILES will enhance every instrumental music instructor’s library with styles essential for percussionists’ musical development: Bossa Nova, Soca, Rumba and more. Music teachers giving their percussionists a well-rounded education in both musical styles and instruments are instructors that develop musicians for life. This collection will facilitate that, while offering players fun parts that contain strong melodies and sound pedagogy.

Many beginners may not yet have encountered some of the six styles in STYLES & SMILES. After playing these pieces, the melodies are strong enough for the students to have at least an aural imprint of a stylistic melody in a given groove. The A-Rumba melody will bring a Rumba feel to mind. Same for Soca 1625/the Soca beat, and other pieces as well. The net effect is that the young percussionist has had a taste of styles from around the world - and hopefully enjoyed a few smiles along the way!