This definitive encyclopaedic work explores the origins of percussion through the development of the early drums and xylophones right up to the wide range of modern instruments and the sounds they make. James Blades covers these early developments globally from China and the Far East, India and Tibet, the early civilisations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia through to mediaeval and renaissance Europe. He continues to examine the role of percussion in the classical and romantic orchestras and finally looks at the ways composers have pushed the boundaries in modern music. Each chapter has its own photographs, illustrations and bibliography and there are comprehensive indices referencing all the composers and works discussed. This extended edition includes two important new chapters. The first covers the rise of the solo percussionist and is written by the world's leading practitioner and one of Blades' former pupils, Dame Evelyn Glennie, who also contributes a new Foreword, while recent developments in orchestral percussion are covered by Neil Percy, Head of Timpani and Percussion at the Royal Academy of Music and Principal Percussionist of the London Symphony Orchestra.

Beat it! African Dances from Dame Evelyn Glennie is a brilliant resource for both general and more specialised music teachers working with beginner percussion groups. It presents sixteen contrasting workshops based on four African dances, providing invaluable material built on the National Curriculum requirements in music for year 4 and up. Inspired by the thrilling traditional music of Africa this book demonstrates how to develop a range of rhythmic ideas using everyday classroom percussion and the body. The group's work will culminate in performances of the four dances (with or without the enhanced CD backings provided), ideal for school concerts or assemblies.