Regina Go: Percussion Studio

Regina Anne Go
rgo@indiana.edu
(765)307-8263
About Me
I am currently a freshman at Indiana University. I graduated this past year from
Crawfordsville High School. I entered the Jacobs School of Music as a major in Percussion
Performance, but now study Music Education with an emphasis on Instrumental-Band.
Currently, I keep up my percussive studies under the direction of the incredible percussion
professors here at IU, as well as march with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps as a
front ensemble member; this summer (of 2016) will be my second year with the corps.
I began my musical career by taking piano lessons in 2004. Much of my musical
background comes from studying classical piano as well as doing piano accompaniment for
churches, other instrumental soloists, ensemble playing, etc. Though I still play and take piano
lessons to this day, I joined band in 2009 and began to study percussion. Between Fall of 2009
and Summer of 2015, I did six years of marching band, six years of concert band, and five years
of winter percussion. I have had the privilege of getting feedback from and studying with many
different teachers and professors within this time, and hope to share all that I have gathered with
my future (or rather current) students.

About Lessons
I am admittedly focused on mallet percussion, specifically marimba, but I do know my
way around a snare drum and a set of timpani. While I would like to leave the scope of the
lessons up to the student, we as percussionists must be rounded to a certain degree, in order to be
as successful as possible in our trade. Therefore, it is my intention to meet with the student and
discuss what our goals are in doing these lessons whether it be for leisure or to get into
Eastman. Once the student and I have an understanding, we may begin discussing what we
would like to get accomplished and where we would like to go in the future. As a general rule of
thumb, lessons will include the three main aspects of orchestral percussion: snare drum, mallet
percussion, and timpani, as well as auxiliary instruments and others when/if desired.
For the sake of travel and time commitment, I ask a rate of $20 per half hour and $30 per
full hour lesson. Ideally, we will meet once a week. Students on free or reduced meal plans, as
well as those who are not able to afford this rate, should discuss with me in private about a
different payment plan or option, as well as speak with Mr. Goodman about other options. Keep
in mind that the goal of these lessons is the education of the student, NOT a paycheck, and do not
hesitate to talk to me about possibilities.

Other Lesson Possibilities

Since the field of percussion is so broad, I acknowledge the fact that I am not an expert in
every aspect. Therefore, if a student is hoping to study an area of percussion in which I am not
entirely comfortable with or knowledgeable, I will be happy to bring in a different guest
teacher to work with him or her. There are many, many percussionists at Jacobs with a plethora
of backgrounds and strengths, who may be better equipped to teach an area in an advanced
setting than I am.
I would also like to discuss the possibility of the student traveling to Bloomington for an
occasional lesson. While there is a sufficient amount of gear and instruments at Hauser Jr.-Sr.
High school, percussionists at IU are extremely graced with an absurd amount of great
instruments and practice facilities. In our practice building alone, we have four timpani rooms,
four drum set rooms, two world percussion rooms, and six mallet percussion rooms, five of
which are equipped with a 5 octave rosewood marimba. This is not required, but definitely a
possibility for a student who is interested. There will also be a reduced lesson fee as the student
will be encountering the costs and time associated with travelling.

Lesson Policies and Expectations

Preparation: The student should arrive a couple minutes before their scheduled lesson
time. It may be possible that the student receives a few extra minutes or end a few minutes early
given that they arrive early, but time that the student has missed due to tardiness might and
probably will not be made up. Students will bring the following every week: a notebook, a
pencil, sticks and mallets, and music that is being used for the lesson that week.
Practicing: The majority of a musicians growth does not happen in lessons, but in the
practice room. Since each student is individual and learns/practices in different ways, I will not
define the amount of time that a student must have to be successful. However, even 10 minutes a
day goes a very long way (this is drumming on a drum pad during the commercials while
watching TV for half an hour). Ideally, a few hours a week at the students and teachers
discretion is generally sufficient. Above all, avoid being told to practice more.
Cancellation: Though we would ideally like to stick to a schedule, it is understandable
with other academic, extracurricular, and personal commitments that lessons may need to be
cancelled. In the event that a student must cancel a lesson, the student must notify Mr. Goodman
or myself at least 24 hours before their scheduled lesson time. There will be an exception in
the case of illness, personal emergency, or a likewise scenario. A lesson missed or canceled after
this time will be subject to a $5 cancellation fee, and the lesson may not be made up.
Rescheduling: In the event that a student must reschedule their lesson, the student should
contact me as soon as possible to figure out a time for a make-up lesson. Due to travel and time
constraints, it may not always be possible to reschedule a lesson immediately. Communication is
key to making this process successful.

Tips for Successful Lessons

Set goals when practicing. Having and attaining a goal or goals in a practice session makes
practicing much more focused and satisfying. You will drive yourself more when reaching for a
goal as opposed to playing for the sake of playing.
Listen to recordings/Watch videos. YouTube is a great resource and not just for cat videos!
Watching videos and finding performances that you like (and do not like) helps you define
yourself as an analytical musician.
Use a metronome. As a player of particularly rhythmic instruments, the metronome will be your
tool for success. Do not become dependent upon it, but rather use it to keep yourself in check and
true to tempo.
Slow it down. Playing a passage at tempo with little accuracy is almost counterproductive. Slow
phrases down sometimes way down and build them up as soon as they are sufficient.
Take notes. Always have a pencil in your practice room, and always use it.
Dont be afraid to ask questions. Feel free to send me a message at any point regarding music!
Instrument/Repertoire Recommendations
steveweissmusic.com or chopspercussion.com
Beginner Mallet Prepacks
- Steve Weiss Best Seller Stick Pack #1
- Vic Firth EP2
- Innovative Percussion FP2
Snare Drum
Stick Recommendations
- Vic Firth: SD1 or SD2
- Innovative Percussion: IP1 or CL1
- Intermediate/Advanced- Cooperman
(any, base on feel)
Repertoire
- Elementary Snare Drum Studies,
Mitchell Peters
- Intermediate Snare Drum Studies,
Mitchell Peters
- Others?
Timpani
Mallet Recommendations
- Vic Firth: American Custom (T)
Series or General (GT) Series
- Innovative Percussion: Concert (CT)
Series or General (GT) Series
- Intermediate/Advanced: JG David
Herbert Series, Amy Putnam,
Clevelander
Repertoire
- Fundamental Solos for Timpani,
Mitchell Peters
Marimba
Mallet Recommendations
- Innovative Percussion IP240
- Marimba One RSB3
- Intermediate/Advanced: Select IP,
Malletech, Marimba One, etc.
Repertoire
- Funny Mallets: Funny Marimba,
Book 1, Nebojsa Zivkovic
- Funny Mallets: Funny Marimba,
Book 2, Nebojsa Zivkovic
- Bach for Marimba, Arr. James L.
Moore
Method Books
Method Books
- Stick Control for the Modern Snare
Drummer, Lawrence Stone
Advanced Repertoire
- Portraits in Rhythm, Anthony Cirone
- Advanced Etudes for Snare Drum,
Keith Aleo
- Advanced Snare Drum Studies,
Mitchell Peters
- Douze tudes, Jaques Delcluse
- Various Solo work
Method Books
- Modern Method for Timpani, Saul
Goodman
Advanced Repertoire
- The Solo Timpanist, Vic Firth
- 20 Studies for Timpani, Jaques
Delcluse
- Solos, Concertos, Suites?
- Method of Movement, Leigh Howard
Stevens
- Permutations for the Advanced
Marimbist, Kevin Bobo
Advanced Repertoire
- Bach, Six Sonatas and Partitas for
Violin, Ivan Galamian edition
- Various solo work