Praxis Percussion Press

Teaching resources, written for percussionists.

Praxis Percussion Press makes note reading books and printable classroom activities. Explore the resources and their previews below. Assessments and reference resources are planned; each product has its own availability.

  • Printable teaching resources
  • One-time downloads, no workspace account
  • Preview before you buy

Books

Two books. Level 1, both clefs. Eight units in each: the staff, space notes, line notes, the whole staff, ledger notes, flats, sharps, and a Level 1 check. They are the first books in Praxis Percussion Pathways, the percussion curriculum we are building.

Coming soon · the books are not on sale yet. Each teacher's licensed book will carry their name on every page; copy its student pages for your own classes, every year.

Note Reading, Level 1 · Treble Clef for Mallet Percussion

For bells, xylophone, marimba and vibraphone. 83 pages.

Cover of Note Reading, Level 1, Treble Clef for Mallet Percussion. Sample Learn page: the treble space notes F A C E on the staff and on a drawing of the mallet keyboard. Sample practice page: note words, then Find It on the Bars, where students write each note's number on the bar that plays it.
  • Name It, Place It and Note Words in every unit
  • Find It on the Bars, and Two Names, One Bar for flats and sharps
  • A one-minute speed row and a Read and Play line
  • A check in every unit, a second form for retakes, and answer keys

Coming soon

Note Reading, Level 1 · Bass Clef for Timpani

For timpani, down to low D. 83 pages.

Cover of Note Reading, Level 1, Bass Clef for Timpani. Sample Learn page: the bass space notes A C E G on the staff, and the four timpani with the drums that play each note. Sample practice page: note words, then Which Drum, where students write each note's number on every drum that can be tuned to it.
  • Name It, Place It and Note Words in every unit
  • Which Drum, and Two Names, One Pitch for flats and sharps
  • A one-minute speed row and a Tune and Play line
  • A check in every unit, a second form for retakes, and answer keys

Coming soon

Classroom Activities

Printable activities to use in the room, with the teacher leading and observing.

Note Expedition

A room-wide melody hunt for beginning keyboard percussion, grades 5-8.

Note Expedition sample poster with the word BADGE and melody notation at three tiers.
  • 17 PDF files: three versions, posters in US Letter and 11 x 17, student passports and teacher guides
  • Fillable student passports and teacher forms
  • For classroom use by the purchaser; you print the digital kit
Explore Note Expedition and its previews

Coming soon

Assessments

Future catalog category. No products listed yet.

Reference

Future catalog category. No products listed yet.

When the books go on sale.

The books are written and in review. They are not on sale yet, and this page will say so until they are.

  1. A one-time purchase. You will buy each book once, through Stripe. Card details go to Stripe; Praxis Percussion never sees them. Buying a book creates no account.
  2. A copy with your name on it. The name and school you give are printed in the footer of every page, answer keys included.
  3. Copy it for your students. Print any student page for your own classes, every year you teach.

Questions about the books, or about buying for several teachers: email taylor@backwerdrimshot.com.

What a workbook can and cannot tell you.

It checks reading

Every check names each position its unit teaches and passes at 80%. A written answer shows a student can read the note.

You judge playing

A written check is not a played note. Tone, timing, grip and pulse are yours to hear, and the Read and Play and Tune and Play pages end in your initials, not a score.

Free practice alongside

Each unit names the free Staff Spot levels that drill the same notes with different questions. Staff Spot is part of Backwerd Rhythm Shop: free, no account.