The second half of the twentieth century saw vast changes in all aspects
of percussion - the instruments themselves, playing techniques, and
percussion writing - plus the huge influence of pop music, jazz, and
film scores. Additionally, the revolution in travel and communications
has meant that composers have become much more aware of a seemingly
endless variety of ethnic instruments from around the world. Holland
aims to show the world of percussion as it is today, and to answer some
common questions about it. Today's professional players frequently find
themselves performing in many countries where the availability of
percussion instruments can vary widely. Practical Percussion contains a
section on manufacturers and suppliers all over the world. In addition
to this list of manufacturers, the percussion requirements - both
instruments and players - for some 1500 works are also listed. The
foreword by Pierre Boulez further assists the reader in appreciating and
understanding the richness, variety, and function of percussion
instruments the world over.