CULDT Percussion Guide

Cambridge University Lion Dance Troupe

Percussion Guide v2.1

INTRODUCTION

Although most people go to lion dance performances to see the lions, the percussion section plays a vital role in a performance. It accompanies the dancers, coordinates multiple lions, gives hints where needed and possibly covers dancers' mistakes.

Lion dance music is modular, i.e. there are a number of standard sequences linked together in an agreed order. In addition, a performance is often broken into several passages with pauses in between. Some modules can begin a passage, some can end it and some are used within it. There is usually a bow somewhere as a sign of respect, and lions tend to get drunk after consuming some intoxicating food or drink! But rules are not set in stone; as long as the performers (and coach) agree, modules can be altered and placed in any order.

Our troupe uses 3 types of musical instruments:

THE DRUM

The lone drummer leads the musicians and sets the tempo or speed of the dance. Thus, the tempo must be consistent (roughly one beat per second).

When there is one lion, the drummer takes cues from the lion, but when there are more lions, it's the other way around.

Drummers should lower their bodies by doing a "horse stance" or spreading their legs so that their elbows form a 100-to-110-degree angle in the drumming position. The striking force comes mainly from the wrist, so there should not be excessive movement of the forearm and especially the upper arm. While holding the stick at its middle with the thumb and index fingers, the ring and little fingers can be used to flick the stick to play notes in quick succession e.g. in a Tiao4.

Where possible, hit the drum in the middle. Last but not least, except when doing a mute or muted note, the drum should not be touched as the paint may flake.

THE CYMBALS

Two or more cymbalists clash brass cymbals together to provide the treble notes of the music. To avoid bruising, cymbalist should wear a thick belt.

Cymbalists should stand straight with feet about a shoulder width apart. Elbows are bent at about a right angle, and each pair of cymbals should be tilted at the same angle.

THE GONG

The gong is optional and is only employed if there are enough cymbalists. If used, its player should adopt a "bow stance" and stand such that both sides of the gong are easily reached.

Except for the basic beat, rim strikes and Tiao4, it simply mirrors the drum.

notation

In this guide, music-score-like snippets are provided for each module. As expected, they are read from left to right, and top to bottom.

Each "bar" corresponds one unit of the basic beat, i.e. one Ping2 Gu3. To let the modules chain together, the following notation breaks the modules at bar lines. An alternative representation is given in brackets when it is more sensible to break the module elsewhere. Most modules follow this beat system; exceptions are pointed out. Rows corresponds to instruments, as follows:

DRUM LH/RH

I've split the notes to the left and right hand, but drummers can use either hand to play any note, "as long as it sounds right!"

R (rim strike) = Hit the rim of the drum (where the skin meets the side).

O (open) = Hit the drum as drums are normally hit! The stick should "bounce" off the skin to produce a clear (not muted) sound. A small "o" means that the note may be played softer.

D (drag) = Holding the stick loosely with thumb and index finger, hit the drum and drag it slightly so that the stick bounces a few times.

C (closed) = Hit the drum while the other hand presses against the skin to produce a muted sound.

M (mute) = Let go of the stick and push it against the skin. Make sure you can easily pick it up again!

THE CYMBALS

O (open) = Clash the cymbals as cymbals are normally clashed! Separate them to let them ring.

C (closed) = Clash the free side of the cymbals while they are touching the belt.

D (damp) = Touch separated cymbals against the belt to stop them ringing.

M (mute) = Clash the cymbals while jamming them against the belt. They should touch each other and the belt at the same time.

THE GONG

O (open) = Bang the gong as gongs are normally banged! The stick should "bounce" off the skin to produce a clear sound.

D (damp) = Squeeze the gong between the hands to stop it ringing.

M (mute) = Bang the gong while the other hand presses against the other side. The stick should remain on the gong for a while to mute the sound.

• LEVEL 1

basic beat

Ping2 Gu3, Mi4 Dian3 and their variations form the basic beat used when nothing substantial occurs, e.g. playing with audience and is of indefinite length -- follow the lion!

密点 Mi4 Dian3

Mi4 Dian3 relieve the monotony of Ping2 Gu3 during long sections of basic beat.
A single beat of Mi4 Dian3 is often used to signal to the cymbalists that a non-basic-beat module e.g. Qi3 Shi1 or Kuai4 Chi1 is about to start.

drum RH|O       |
drum LH|    O   |  
-------|+---+---|
gong   |O       |
cymbals|O   O   |

平鼓 Ping2 Gu3

Drummers may play Ping2 Gu3 softer for additional interest, and other percussionists should follow the drum's loudness.

drum RH|o       |  (     |o    )
drum LH|      o |  (   o |     )
-------|+---+---|  ( +---|+--- )
gong   |o       |  (     |o    )
cymbals|o   o   |  ( o   |o    )

basic-beat variations

Drummers playing variations must not confuse cymbalists who may think a different module has begun. Deng4 Shan1 has some useful variations.

drum RH|O   O   |    |O   O   |    |O   o o |    |O   R   |
drum LH|      O |    |  O   O |    |     o o|    |      O |
-------|+---+---| or |+---+---| or |+---+---| or |+---+---| etc
gong   |O       |    |O       |    |O       |    |O       |
cymbals|O   O   |    |O   O   |    |O   O   |    |O   O   |

• LEVEL 2

跳 Tiao4

Used when the lion jumps and at the end of many modules.

drum RH|O O O   |  ( |O O O   |O  )
drum LH|   o  o |  ( |   o  o |   )
-------|+---+---|  ( |+---+---|+- )
gong   |O     O |  ( |O       |O  )
cymbals|O   O O |  ( |O   O O |O  )

Tiao4 can be played repeatedly e.g. when the lion runs.

drum RH|O O O   |O O O   |O O O   |        |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |
drum LH|   o  o |   o  o |   o  o |        |   o  o |    O   |   o  o |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---| ... or |+---+---|+---+---|+---+---| ...
gong   |O     O |O       |O       |        |O     O |O       |O       |
cymbals|O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |        |O   O O |O   O   |O   O O |

Tiao4 start

Used to continue after a short pause, e.g. after a Kuai4 Chi1.

drum RH|R       |
drum LH|R   O   |
-------|+---+---|
gong   |        |
cymbals|        |

Qi3 Shi1 start

Used to start a performance, and to continue after a long pause e.g. Zui4 Shi1.
Comprises a variation of Tiao4 played on the rim of the drum.

drum RH|R R R   |R       |
drum LH|R  R  R |    o   |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |        |        |
cymbals|        |        |

起狮Qi3 Shi1

A general purpose module to add excitement, and start set pieces.

        <-----------first part-----------------><--2nd part->
drum RH|O   O   |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |O   R   |O O O   |
drum LH|  O   O |   o  o |  O   O |   o  o |      o |   o  o |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O     O |O       |O     O |O   D   |O     O |
cymbals|O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   D   |O   O O |
            1 2  3   1 2  3   1 2  3   1 2  3        <-Tiao4>

Drummers may hit the rim more than once, e.g.

drum RH|   |O   R   |    |O R R   |
drum LH|   |  R   o |    |   R  o |
-------|...|+---+---| or |+---+---| ...
gong   |   |O   D   |    |O   D   |
cymbals|   |O   D   |    |O   D   |

• LEVEL 3

滚 Gun3

Unlike most modules, Gun3 doesn't follow the regular tempo (beat).
Drummers, if you find it difficult to alternate strikes, try thinking of just one hand and let the other follow naturally. Start slow and speed up!

drum RH|O O O...|
drum LH| O O ...|
-------|--------|
gong   |OOOOO...|
cymbals|OOOOO...|

mute

Used to have a quick pause, and at the end of "ending" modules.

drum RH|M       |
drum LH|M       |
-------|+---+---|
gong   |M       |
cymbals|M       |

Xing2 Li3 start

Used to start a performance, and is played loudly.

drum RH|R   R R |
drum LH|R   R R |
-------|+---+---|
gong   |        |
cymbals|        |

行礼 Xing2 Li3

A bow is often used to start or end a performance, and doesn't follow tempo.
Comprises a Gun3 and a mute played three times.

        <-Gun3->        <-mute> <-Gun3->        <-mute> <-Gun3->        <-mute>
drum RH|O O O...|until  |M     |O O O...|until  |M     |O O O...|until  |M     |
drum LH| O O ...|lion   |M     | O O ...|lion   |M     | O O ...|lion   |M     |
-------|--------|stops, |------|--------|stops, |------|--------|stops, |------|
gong   |OOOOO...|facing |M     |OOOOO...|facing |M     |OOOOO...|facing |M     |
cymbals|OOOOO...|forward|M     |OOOOO...|forward|M     |OOOOO...|forward|M     |

醉狮 Zui4 Shi1

Often used after the lion eats and gets drunk, and preceded by a Tiao4 start.
Doesn't follow tempo.

        <--lion staggers-> <--lion "vomits" 3 times-> 
drum RH|O   O...|speed up |O O O   |O O O   |O O O   |
drum LH|  O  ...|then vary| O O    | O O    | O O    |
-------|--------|speed and|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O O O...|volume to|OOOOO   |OOOOO   |OOOOO   |
cymbals|O O O...|suit lion|OOOOO   |OOOOO   |OOOOO   |

        <---lion jumps---> <-rises> <-drops>
drum RH|O   O...|speed up |O O O   |M       |
drum LH|  O  ...|then stop| O O    |M       |
-------|--------|when lion|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O O O...|finishes |OOOOO   |M       |
cymbals|O O O...|jump     |OOOOO   |M       |

起狮-行礼 Qi3 Shi1 - Xing2 Li3

Often used to start a "welcome" performance.
Comprises a Qi3 Shi1 start, the first part of Qi3 Shi1, a Xing2 Li3 and the second part of Qi3 Shi1.

        <-Qi3 Shi1 start> <-----------first part of Qi3 Shi1--------->
drum RH|R R R   |R       |O   O   |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |O       |
drum LH|R  R  R |    o   |  O   O |   o  o |  O   O |   o  o |O       |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |        |        |O       |O     O |O       |O     O |O       |
cymbals|        |        |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O       |

        <-----------------Xing2 Li3-------------------------> <----2nd part--->
drum RH|O O O...|M       |O O O...|M       |O O O...|M       |R       |O O O   |
drum LH| O O ...|M       | O O ...|M       | O O ...|M       |R   O   |   o  o |
-------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |OOOOO...|M       |OOOOO...|M       |OOOOO...|M       |        |O     O |
cymbals|OOOOO...|M       |OOOOO...|M       |OOOOO...|M       |        |O   O O |

• LEVEL 4

假吃 Jia3 Chi1

Often used when the lion tries to eat something but fails.
Drummers, play Jia3 Chi1 on the beat just after the lion draws backwards.

drum RH|D       |
drum LH|    M   |
-------|+---+---|
gong   |O   M   |
cymbals|O   M   |

慢吃 Man4 Chi1

Often used to end a performance, and to have a long pause e.g. before Zui4 Shi1. The Mi4 Dian3 part should be a crescendo.
Comprises a three Jia3 Chi1, a Tiao4, three Mi4 Dian3 and a mute.

        <------3 Jia3 Chi1-------> <-Tiao4> <-3 Mi4 Dian3,get louder-> <-mute->
drum RH|D       |D       |D       |O O O   |O       |O       |O       |M       |
drum LH|    M   |    M   |    M   |   o  o |    O   |    O   |    O   |M       |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O   M   |O   M   |O   M   |O     O |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |M       |
cymbals|O   M   |O   M   |O   M   |O   O O |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |M       |

中剪 Zhong1 Jian3

The simplest of 3 "Jian3", often used after Qi3 Shi1 as below.

drum RH|O   R   |O       |O   R   |O       |O   R   |O       |O       |O O O   |
drum LH|      o |  O   O |      o |  O   O |      o |  O   O |    O   |   o  o |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O   D   |O     O |
cymbals|O       |O O   O |O   D   |O O   O |O   D   |O O   O |O   D   |O   O O |
                 1 2   3  4        1 2   3  4        1 2   3  4        <-Tiao4>
        (   R   |O       |O   R   |O       |O   R   |O       |O       |O O O   |O )
        (     o |  O   O |      o |  O   O |      o |  O   O |    O   |   o  o |  )
        ( --+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+-)
        (       |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O )
        (       |O O   O |O   D   |O O   O |O   D   |O O   O |O   D   |O   O O |O )

起狮-中剪 Qi3 Shi1 - Zhong1 Jian3

Comprises a Qi3 Shi1, 2 beats of Ping2 Gu3 or Mi4 Dian3 and a Zhong1 Jian3.

        <----------------------Qi3 Shi1---------------------> <--2 Mi4 Dian3-->
drum RH|O   O   |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |O   R   |O O O   |O       |O       |
drum LH|  O   O |   o  o |  O   O |   o  o |      o |   o  o |    O   |    O   |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O     O |O       |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O       |O       |
cymbals|O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   D   |O   O O |O   O   |O   O   |

        <----------------------------Zhong1 Jian3----------------------------->
drum RH|O   R   |O       |O   R   |O       |O   R   |O       |O       |O O O   |
drum LH|      o |  O   O |      o |  O   O |      o |  O   O |    O   |   o  o |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O   D   |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O   D   |O     O |
cymbals|O   D   |O O   O |O   D   |O O   O |O   D   |O O   O |O   D   |O   O O |

• LEVEL 5

下剪 Xia4 Jian3

Alternative to Zhong1 Jian3 when the lion needs more time to do stuff.
Similar to Zhong1 Jian3 but with Jia3 Chi1 in between.

                         <-JiaChi>                  <-JiaChi>
drum RH|O   R   |O       |D       |O   R   |O       |D       |
drum LH|      o |  O   O |    M   |      o |  O   O |    M   |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O     O |O   M   |O     O |O       |O   M   |
cymbals|O       |O O   O |O   M   |O O   O |O       |O   M   |
                         <-JiaChi>
drum RH|O   R   |O       |D       |O       |O O O   |
drum LH|      o |  O   O |    M   |    O   |   o  o |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O     O |O       |O   M   |O       |O     O |
cymbals|O O   O |O       |O   M   |O       |O   O O |

快吃 Kuai4 Chi1

Alternative to Man4 Chi1, often used to have a shorter pause.

                                   <-Tiao4>          <-Tiao4> <-mute->
drum RH|O       |O       |O       |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |M       |
drum LH|  O   O |  O   O |  O     |   o  o |      O |   o  o |M       |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O O   O |O O   O |O O     |O     O |O       |O     O |M       |
cymbals|O O   O |O O   O |O O     |O   O O |O   O   |O   O O |M       |
        1 2   1  2 3   1  2 3      1   1 2  3   1    1   1 2

• LEVEL 6

跳高单脚 Tiao4 Gao1 Dan1 Jiao3

Used when the lion does an aerial stunt.
Comprises a Qi3 Shi1 variation, a Tiao4 variation and a Kuai4 Chi1.

        <-----------------Qi3 Shi1 variation----------------><-Tiao4 variation>
drum RH|O   O   |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |
drum LH|  O   O |   o  o |  O   O |   o  o |    O   |   o  o |    O   |   o  o |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O     O |O       |O     O |O   O   |O     O |O   O   |O     O |
cymbals|O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O   |O   O O |O   O   |O   O O |

                 <-------------------------Kuai4 Chi1------------------------->
drum RH| (more  |O       |O       |O       |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |M       |
drum LH| Tiao4  |  O   O |  O   O |  O     |   o  o |      O |   o  o |M       |
-------| if lion|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   | needs  |O O   O |O O   O |O O     |O     O |O       |O     O |M       |
cymbals| time)  |O O   O |O O   O |O O     |O   O O |O   O   |O   O O |M       |

上剪 Shang4 Jian3

Alternative to Xia4 Jian3 when the lion needs even more time to do stuff.
Similar to Xia4 Jian3 but with Tiao4 in between, and 4 instead of 3 mutes.

                          <-Tiao4>                            <-Tiao4>
drum RH|O   R   |O       |O O O   |D       |O   R   |O       |O O O   |D       |
drum LH|      o |  O   O |   o  o |    M   |      o |  O   O |   o  o |    M   |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O     O |O     O |O   M   |O     O |O       |O     O |O   M   |
cymbals|O       |O O   O |O   O O |O   M   |O     O |O O     |O   O O |O   M   |
                          <-Tiao4>                            <-Tiao4>
drum RH|O   R   |O       |O O O   |D       |O   R   |O       |O O O   |D       |
drum LH|      o |  O   O |   o  o |    M   |      o |  O   O |   o  o |    M   |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O     O |O     O |O   M   |O     O |O       |O     O |O   M   |
cymbals|O       |O O   O |O   O O |O   M   |O     O |O O     |O   O O |O   M   |

drum RH|O       |O O O   |
drum LH|    O   |   o  o |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O     O |
cymbals|O       |O   O O |

探步 Tan4 Bu4

Similar use to Zhong1 Jian3, when the lion is exploring an area.

drum RH|O       |O       |O       |D       |O       |  O   O |O       |O O O   |
drum LH|    O   |    O   |    O   |    M   |    O   |O       |    O   |   o  o |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O       |O       |O   M   |O   O   |O O   O |O       |O     O |
cymbals|O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O   M   |O   O   |O O   O |O       |O   O O |

• LEVEL 7

七星鼓 Qi1 Xing1 Gu3

Often used together with Zui4 Shi1 e.g. when the lion sleeps.
Played at a slower tempo. Drum hits should be "bright" (according to Wenpin).

drum RH|O   O...|speed|M       |
drum LH|  O  ...|up & |M       |
-------|--------|play |--------|
gong   |O O O...|for a|M       |
cymbals|O O O...|while|M       |

        <----1st star---> <----2nd star---> <----3rd star---> <----4th star--->
drum RH|R   O   |    M   |R   O   |    M   |R   O   |O   M   |R   O O |    M   |
drum LH|  o     |  O     |  o     |O       |  o     |  O     |  o     |  O     |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |    O   |  O M   |    O   |O   M   |    O   |O O M   |    O O |  O M   |
cymbals|    O   |  O M   |    O   |O   M   |    O   |O O M   |    O O |  O M   |

        <----5th star---> <----6th star---> <----7th star--->
drum RH|R   O R |R   M   |R   O O |O   M   |R   O   |O   M   |
drum LH|  o    R|  O     |  o    O|  O     |  o   O |  O     |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |    O   |  O M   |    O   |O O M   |    O O |O O M   |
cymbals|    O   |  O M   |    O   |O O M   |    O O |O O M   |

drum RH|    O   |    O   |    O   |R   O   |    O   |R   O   |R   O   |R   M   |
drum LH|      O |      O |      O |  o   O |      O |  o     |  o   O |  o M   |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |    O O |D   O O |D   O O |D   O O |D   O O |D   O   |D   O O |D   M   |
cymbals|    O O |D   O O |D   O O |D   O O |D   O O |D   O   |D   O O |D   M   |

     (double hits)
drum RH|O  O ...|speed|C C C...|speed|C C C...|speed|O O O O |M       |
drum LH| O  O...|up & |        |up & |        |up & | O O O O|M       |
-------|--------|play |--------|play |--------|play |--------|--------|
gong   |O  O ...|for a|C C C...|for a|C C C...|for a|O O O O |M       |
cymbals|O  O ...|while|C C C...|while|C C C...|while|O O O O |M       |

This table can help cymballists remember the 7-star sequence:

1st star: O . . O M    5th star: O . . O M  (i.e. same as 1st star)
2nd star: O . O . M    6th star: O . O O M  (i.e. same as 3rd star)
3rd star: O . O O M    7th star: O O O O M
4th star: O O . O M    and then: 5 doubles, 1 single, 1 double and a mute

• LEVEL 8

蹬山 Deng4 Shan1

Used when the lion climbs a mountain (made of chairs or tables).

Play the following twice (once for ascent and once for descent):

drum RH|O   R   |O O O   |O   R   |O O O   |O   R   |O O O   |O       |arbitrary
drum LH|      o |   o  o |      o |   o  o |      o |   o  o |      O |number of
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|Ping1 Gu3
gong   |O   D   |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O   D   |O     O |O       |-- follow
cymbals|O   D   |O   O O |O   D   |O   O O |O   D   |O   O O |O   O   |lion lead

drum RH|O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O O O   |D       |
drum LH|  O   O |  O   O |  O   O |  O   O |  O   O |  O   O |   o  o |    M   |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O       |O       |O       |O       |O       |O     O |O   M   |
cymbals|O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   M   |

drum RH|O       |O   R   |O   R   |O   R   |O   R   |O R R   |O   R   |O R R   |
drum LH|      O |      O |      O |      O |  R   O |   R  O |  R   O |   R  O |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O       |O       |O       |O       |O       |O       |O       |
cymbals|O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |O   O   |

drum RH|O       |O   o o |o   M   |O   o o |o   M   |O   o o |o   M   |
drum LH|    O   |     o o|    M   |     o o|    M   |     o o|    M   |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |O       |O       |O   M   |O       |O   M   |O       |O   M   |
cymbals|O   O   |O   O   |O   M   |O   O   |O   M   |O   O   |O   M   |

drum RH|C   C   |C   C   |C   C   |C       |
drum LH|        |        |        |      O |
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|
gong   |C   C   |C   C   |C   C   |C       |
cymbals|C   C   |C   C   |C   C   |C       |

drum RH|O   O   |O O O   |O   O   |O O O   |M       |O O O   |M       |arbitrary
drum LH|  O   O |   o  o |  O   O |   o  o |M     O |   o  o |M       |number of
-------|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|+---+---|Ping1 Gu3
gong   |O       |O     O |O       |O     O |M       |O     O |M       |-- follow
cymbals|O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |O   O O |M       |O   O O |M       |lion lead

LAST WORDS

It may seem daunting to learn all these modules, but worry not; most performances use only those from LEVEL 1 to 5. The rest can be learnt as the need arises. It is better to play at a slower (but still consistent) tempo but getting the notes right, before trying to play at the regular performance speed.

During a performance, when mistakes happen, try to adapt and cover them up; don't stop unless necessary -- except for cymbalists who should stop playing and join in when ready. Oh, and don't drop the cymbals!

Many thanks to Wenpin and Zern for their patient coaching,
and the whole troupe for their support, guidance and enthusiasm!

Gordon