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Program:

Music Centered:

Since time immemorial, drums have been used for a variety of purposes; from military drills to religious and cultural ceremony. The modern drum set of today is used primarily in musical settings. Music is all around us and I find that most students have a list of favorite songs that they would love to learn to play on the drums. This is what I think is the initial point of motivation for a student's desire to take lessons. Much popular music of recent decades includes songs which are relatively easy to accompany on the drum set. This offers a good starting point and source of inspiration for a student to begin to relate to and understand what it is that drummers do. After a brief introduction to the elements of written notation and drum set method, we'll begin to analyze a song and reproduce the drum part. The goal is then set to be able to play along with the song. From there, I will begin to introduce new technical exercises and songs from a wide range of styles for study. From time to time, we will revisit your list of preferred music and continue to learn new and more challenging songs.

Integrated:

The drum set is itself an integration of multiple instruments; primarily snare drum, bass drum, tom toms, cymbals and hi-hat. Initially, these instruments were played by separate individuals forming a percussion section of an ensemble. (The hi-hat is an exception as it was developed specifically for the drum set.) The modern drum set player is, in a sense, a one-person percussion section. We need to develop proficiency and independence in all four limbs and learn to coordinate separate patterns and sounds to form a rhythmic whole. This multitasking aspect of drumming is addressed in the study of "Coordinated Independence."


A great deal of drum methodology is derived from the study of the snare drum in Rudimental drumming. The development of speed, endurance and musical dynamics with the hands is typically called the study of "Stick Control." There are also exercises for the development of the feet for hi-hat and bass drum. There has been a recent proliferation in the use of double bass drum with the result that "Foot Control" has become almost a separate study in itself.


You will find that our lessons will consist of an integration of progressive studies in stick control, foot control and coordinated independence as applied to various musical forms. The aim is to continue to grow your initial inspiration and to provide the technical skills necessary to expand your range of musical self expression on the drum set.


The following is a list of some of the subjects and techniques we will cover in the course of study of the drum set:

- Holding the sticks: The "Traditional Grip" and three variants of the "Matched Grip."

- The 40 International Drum Rudiments with applications to the Drum Set.

- Accents and dynamics as a function of the up-stroke and stick height.

- The "Throw-Catch" / "Push-Pull" technique.

- The "Moeller Method."

- Working with Brushes.

- Harmonic and Melodic (Linear) Four-Way Coordinated Independence.

- Development of Fills and transitioning from Beats to Fills and back.

- Foot Control; "Heel-Up" and "Heel-Down" techniques.

- Double Bass Drum; The "Heel-Toe Technique," its variants and following the way the movement morphs as a function of tempo.

- Using the Metronome to improve time keeping and to develop speed gradually in a relaxed manner.

- Time keeping and developing a "Groove" in a musical piece.

- Understanding written rhythmic notation and a look at drum "tabs."

- Reading and interpreting drum charts.

- Analyzing the structure of a song.

- "Comping" and improvisation, especially in Jazz.

- Soloing

- Work with unconventional or "Odd" Time Signatures.

- We will explore many musical genres including Rock, Pop, Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, R&B and more. 

As you can see from the list, the art of drumming encompasses a varied collection of skills. Whether you wish to play for recreation or professionally, you'll find that there is no end to what you can learn and improve on. It's a pursuit that can provide a lifetime of gratification. My objective as a teacher is to get you playing, keep you inspired and provide the knowledge that will enable you to take it as far as you desire.

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