Full-Time Drum Course

Developing a solid foundation. This includes:

• Knowing the parts to a drum set
• Proper set up of snare drum/drum set (includes tuning and muffling)
• Drumstick selection
• Proper grip technique
• Call & response
• Drum notation and theory
• Rudiments
• Developing coordination between hands
• Developing a steady pulse – working with a metronome
• Introduction into dynamics
• Soundscape of the snare drum
• A look a snare drum soloists

• Introduction of the Bass Drum
• Adjusting/setting up your bass drum pedal (beater placement, spring tension, and maintenance)
• Heals up/heels down technique
• Hand/Feet coordination and development
• A look at the history of the Drumline, and marching in New Orleans
• Level 2 Rudiments

• Introduction of the Hi-Hat
• What’s a Low-Boy?
• How to adjust and set up the Hi-Hat
• Hi-Hat Selection/Types
• Basic grooves using the Hi-Hat, Snare Drum, and Bass Drum
• Stronger emphasis on working with a metronome
• Playing “In the pocket”?
• Who is Baby Dodds?
• Introduction into play-along songs
• Student picks “project” song
• How to write basic Drum Charts
• Basic Drum Fills
• The Ride Cymbal
• 4-way independence
• Level 3 Rudiments
• Our predecessors

• Introduction into syncopation
• Drum Fills
• Using rudiments in drum fills
• 2 Project songs or song compilations
• Types of Drum Solos
• A look at “The World’s Greatest”
• 1/16 note grooves. One handed and two handed.
• Open Hi-Hat Grooves
• Styles of music associated with syncopated grooves
• Level 4 Rudiments

• Drum fills using hand and feet combinations
• Drum soloing
• Using Brushes and other “tools” of the trade
• Study of drum set brush players
• Working with a drum machine or sequence. ( Software & Hardware)
• All styles of drum set playing (Students are given a short song for each style) Not mandatory, but strongly recommended.
• 2 Project songs or song compilations
• Advanced studies in bass drum technique and exercises
• 1/32 Notes
• Level 5 Rudiments
• Students select 2 drummers to study/analyze from same or contrasting styles. (Depends on students study objectives)
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• Intro into odd time signatures
• Odd time signature song selection
• Advanced fills – (Student writes out fills. Online submission)
• Drum solo composition – (Performed Live)
• Playing with a percussionist
• Analyzing 4 drum set players known for odd time playing
• Odd time signatures found in all styles of playing (examples given and analyzed)

• Student selects project song with sequenced drum tracks
• How to play to sequenced music
• Creating your own sequenced grooves
• Electronic drums and how to emulate drum sounds heard on project song
• Study of drummers known for their sound in this area
• Incorporating acoustic and electronic drums
• Live performance using electronic drums or both electric and acoustic

Although the study of Cuban/Brazilian rhythms are strongly recommended, these styles can be substituted with… i.e. Different/contrasting styles within Rock, Heavy Metal, Jazz…

• Study 3 drummers/percussionists in the following styles
• Cuban/Brazilian Grooves applied to the Drum kit
• Palito patterns
• Keeping time on various voices of the instrument
• Samba
• Mozambique
• Bambe
• Gha ghanco
• Songo
• Cha Cha Cha
• Mambo

• Study of 3 drummers in detail
• African Rhythms applied to the drum kit
• Demonstrating advanced styles of groove playing
• Compilation song or groove solo utilizing different styles in including African rhythms
• Solo comp. utilizing different feels and styles
• Performing live with a band

• Study 4 drummers in detail
• Advanced 4 way independence
• Intense study of drum fills and soloing
• Advanced rudimental studies applicable to drum set
• Student gives live clinic
• Live Performances
• Submission of own articles and exercises to PAS, Modern Drummer and “Drums” organizations.