New Music, Free Resources, Big Inspiration
Discover what’s new at Tapspace this month! From innovative percussion releases to inspiring stories and valuable teaching resources, this issue brings everything you need to energize your students, ensembles, and personal playing.
Welcome to this month’s Tapspace Newsletter—a fresh roundup of new releases, free resources, and inspiring percussion stories. From flexible ensembles and progressive rudimental solos to groundbreaking drumming works and a tribute to one of marching percussion’s most influential voices, this issue is packed with tools and music to keep your students, ensembles, and personal playing moving forward.
Inside the World of a Drum Corps Icon
Ralph Hardimon is more than a marching percussion legend—he’s a force of nature. Sticks on Fire is a heartfelt tribute to one of the most iconic figures in drum corps and marching percussion.
Penned by DCI Hall-of-Famer Frank T. Dorritie, the book traces Ralph’s journey from the Anaheim Kingsmen to the Santa Clara Vanguard, sharing intimate stories, career-defining moments, and the humor of “Ralph Speak.”
Whether you’re a lifelong drum corps fan or new to marching percussion, this is a must-have celebration of a true original.
Free Band Warm-Up from DAILY DRILL
Give your ensemble a fresh, engaging start with a free exercise straight from our brand-new warm-up collection, DAILY DRILL.
You can download Exercise #4: Scale Degrees & Thirds in B-flat – a ready-to-use resource that includes:
Conductor Score
Individual Parts
Audio Backing Tracks
No payment, no strings attached—just a powerful tool for your next rehearsal. Just in time for school to start!
Fresh Ensembles for Every Season
Rush Hour Samba
Grooving percussion ensemble piece for 10–16 players with Latin instruments and rhythm section. Features flexible part assignments with space for improvisation.
We Three Kings
Traditional holiday favorite arranged for medium-easy percussion ensemble featuring Middle Eastern flavors and flexible instrumentation.
Percussion Rep That Fits Your Band Room
Looking for fresh, adaptable repertoire for your percussionists? The Flexible Ensemble is a one-of-a-kind collection of 10 entry-level percussion ensembles by David Ratliff and Eric Sokolowski—built to fit your band room.
✅ Flexible Instrumentation
Each piece works with 3–5 main voices using instruments found in most schools.
✅ Customizable Scoring
Add optional melodic or rhythmic parts for more color—or keep it simple with the essentials.
✅ For Any Group Size
Perform with just a handful of players or expand to fit a full class.
Designed for middle school through early high school (and even college methods courses), this collection empowers directors to tailor each ensemble to their unique roster.
Classic & Contemporary Drumming Works
Rainbow Diddles
A fast-paced rudimental duet for snare and bass drum requiring razor-sharp accuracy and rhythmic precision. Crowd-pleasing and full of drumming adrenaline.
Sapience
Expressive concert snare drum solo with fixed media that mixes rudimental, concert, and Basel styles with hip-hop and gamelan-inspired electronics.
Progressive Snare Solos for Every Player
Percussion students come to the snare drum with a wide range of skill—and finding solos that challenge everyone can be tricky. Enter The Starting Line by Joe Hobbs, a collection of 10 rudimental solos designed for all levels, from beginner to advanced.
Each solo comes in three progressive versions:
? Bronze: Rudiments simplified, rhythms broken down to basics
? Silver: More complex stickings, roll rudiments added
? Gold: Full shorthand notation, flams, and advanced challenges
Play them progressively or combine bronze, silver, and gold versions in a single classroom for dynamic ensemble exercises!.