In this first module of Course 3 we begin by looking at the new rudiments introduced at this level.
You will know by now that rudiments form the core of everything that we do on the drum kit. As well as developing coordination and Independence skills we will only ever be as fast as our hand speed and a huge contributor to this is regular practice of rudiments.
Remember to continue working on the rudiments introduced in the previous two courses as well.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Step 2
Watch the videos
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
In Course 2 we looked at new ways of navigating through a piece of music using concepts such as first and second time endings.
In this module we look at a clever way of recalling certain sections from a piece of music. By using a Coda, we can hop around a piece of music without the need to rewrite sections and cover multiple pages.
This is explained in more detail in the module information below.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This module looks at the Semiquaver rest, how it can be used and how it compares to the Quaver rest.
As previously discussed rests can have a powerful impact on creating interesting rhythms.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This module continues where we left off in the previous one by exploring semiquaver rests in more detail.
You will know by know that with the use of counting and time signatures, there is often more than one way to write a set rhythm. With this in mind, there is also good practice in terms of how things are written.
Some of the examples below are not necessarily how you would expect to see certain rhythms written, but I have shown them to give examples that are possible. Again, sustain (how long a note rings for) can play a big part in this and will be audibly different for a lot of instruments but in most cases it is not a problem with drums as there is limited control of sustain.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This module is a continuation of both courses 1 and 2. At each level, new genres and styles of music are introduced. These styles can be found throughout the graded syllabus both within the pieces themselves as well as in exercises such as the Improvisation section.
It is important to remember that previous styles may also be recalled and the objective here is to build on and not replace your existing knowledge in this area.
Work towards remembering firstly the names of the styles required and secondly at least one relevant groove/beat for each style.
Lastly, focus on any character traits of the style. For example, Reggae will often use Rim Clicks and the Snare drum switch in the off position etc.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
Throughout this process of learning I have referenced certain points where you can expect to see boost in your playing. This is often due to certain complexities that once mastered, open the door to a new area of previously unachievable concepts. This is another one!
Semiquaver bass drum grooves require a new level of independence and with this new level of effort and input comes a new level of satisfaction and flair to your playing.
The module information below explores this in further detail. The key thing here is to play SLOWLY and to focus on the Bass drum and Hihat playing INDEPENDENTLY if one another.,
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This module works on the same concept discussed in the previous module, Semiquaver Snare Drum Grooves.
Arguably the independence required here is often a little easier to master than the with the bass drum. This can be due to it being both hands that are playing as opposed to involving the bass drum foot.
Either way, these grooves sound great and will add another strain to your playing. As with the previous module, pay close attention to the Hihat hand pattern to ensure that it doesn't following the extra semiquaver snare drums.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This module starts to look in further detail at song structure and how by recognising patterns within pieces of music it can help.
There are also helpful hints and tricks discussed in the module information below that can also be invaluable.
Looking for patterns and repetition within songs and from song to song or style to style can be a great skill to begin to develop.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
As well as looking at the structure of a piece of music and for patterns that emerge, listening carefully and mapping your way through a piece of music can be equally or possibly even more important.
Cues translate as making notes throughout a piece of music. For example at bar 4 the Bass Guitar enters and at bar 16 the singing begins. Simply adding these to your music will reduce the potential for getting lost. For example, rather then there being a 16 bar repetitive groove, you can now notice when these external sounds appear to help you to keep on track.
Think of it like giving a friend directions to the local pub. You may reference the post box on the left and the school on the right. These simple reminders keep them on track and ensure that they can get to the pub!
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
Another new concept introduced at his level is the idea of 'feel'.
'Feel' is used to describe not just what is being played, but more importanly how it is being played. 'Feel' is not limited to Swing and it is sometimes not as obvious as what you will come to know as the differences between straight and swung grooves.
This module explores the various ways that a groove can be swung and how it can be articulated on a piece of sheet music.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This module opens a new can of worms to explore and enjoy in the form of The Shuffle!
A shuffle is an addictive and repetitive bouncing feel to a groove that can influence the general feel and overall sound of a piece of music.
Tempo can also play a huge part in the mood that the shuffle creates. Played slowly and it is the signature groove for The Blues. Played quickly and it has an energy that is unrivalled.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
In Course 2 we looked at opening the Hihat in the module titles 'Using the left foot'.
This module takes this concept further and explores the potential that can be found on the Hihat and the various sounds that can be achieved.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This next module explores a new subject area that we call Tied Notes.
Similar to the ongoing subject of 'sustain' that keeps arising throughout this course, this is a concept that can be viewed differently as a drummer to a lot of other musicians.
The module information below explores this in more detail. Remember that although we could take the view that it doesn't affect us, to why bother? The answer is simply so that we can relate to and understand fellow musicians when discussing a piece of music.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
We looked at 'feel' in the previous Swing and Shuffle modules. here we are looking at how where we place the bass drums and snare drums within a groove can affect the overall feel.
The Half Time Feel is a great way of changing the energy within a piece of music. This is explained in more detail below.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
We have looked previously at how rests can affect and influence a groove or a piece of music. What we havent looked at yet is larger periods of rests.
A good example where these are used is during an introduction to a song where there are other instruments playing but the drums are yet to enter. These rests need to be counted carefully to ensure that the impact of the drums entering happens at the right time.
The module information below explains this in more detail and gives tips as to the best way to approach this.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
Lo Tom Grooves can be a powerful addition to a piece of music. The idea of them is very simple, we are swapping what is usually played on a cymbal and playing it on a drum. The consequence is that the stave can look very congested and hard to read but the outcome can make a real impact.
Try playing through the grooves below as well as trying other grooves that you have learned previously and moving the cymbal line to the Lo Tom.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
We have looked at fills in previous modules in courses 1 and 2.
In this module we look at introducing the off beat (discussed in further detail below).
Remember that everything we are doing is a progression. Build on each concept from module to module and you will see that your progression is wide and varied.
Try revisiting modules such as 'Semiquaver fills around the drums' and 'Variations on Semiquavers' and see if you can create some new ideas.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
Moving on through the course and building on the previous module looking at Fills, in this module we look at Half Bar Fills.
A Half Bar Fill is exactly what it says it is. It is a fill that only lasts for half of the bar. It is therefore important to remember this when using them within a piece of music as a bar of music always needs to be complete.
If a Half Bar Fill is used then the other half of the bar must contain either rests or a groove to ensure that the bar is complete.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
You may have noticed when watching other drummers that some musicians opt to use their Hihat foot throughout their playing. This is often a way of keeping time both for themselves and also for the band members around them.
The module below explores this in more detail and discusses the reasoning for doing so.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
It is not always necessary to be able to solo on your instrument and in a lot of cases it can go as far as being annoying or inappropriate depending on the context in which it is used.
That being said, it is a good idea to practice the concept as a skill set.
The module below looks at one approach to building a solo and the steps that could be taken. This is by no means the only way, but it gives an insight into how it could be approached.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
We have looked at Semiquaver Hihat Grooves in previous modules and this one explores them further.
The grooves at the bottom of the module information handout develop and introduce extra Snare Drums to create interesting ideas.
Be sure to be guided by the sticking patterns and to recognise the difference between the two handed and one handed approach to paying these ideas.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Watch the video
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This module looks at the influence and affect that the Time Signature can have on a piece of music.
This is particularly evident when the time Signature changes within a piece of music. None more so that when the bottom number detailing the type of the beats to be counted changes.
Work through the information below and experiment by moving and counting between different groove ideas.
Remember that you can recall and use ideas from previous modules in this context.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
The Drum Roll is one of the most iconic techniques that a drummer can play. It is synonymous with special occasions, anticipation, suspense etc and yet despite being widely used it is a very difficult technique to master.
This module guides you through the fundamentals of building a Roll and explains the technique required.
This requires patience and perseverance over a long period but is well worth it as the results can be very rewarding.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
The Hihat is often a subtle part of a groove in comparison to the loud and front facing sounds of the Snare Drum and Bass Drum. That being said, it can also influence the overall feel of a groove hugely.
This module looks at off beat Hihats (often found within Disco music) and how they can bring an entirely new feel to a groove despite the Bass Drum and Snare Drum remaining the same.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This module looks to build coordination further by introducing a 4 limb approach using both hands and feet simultaneously.
The module takes the rudiments learned in Course 1 (Single Strokes, Double Strokes and The Paradiddle) and moves them to the feet whilst overlaying a Single Stroke hand pattern around the drums.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
The final module in Course 3 looks at what I call Cross Body Coordination. What I mean by this is using the opposite hand and feet. For example the right hand playing with the left foot.
This concept takes coordination explored in the previous module even further and develops new skills and control.
Step 1
Read the module information below
Step 2
Repeat the exercise until you are comfortable.
Remember to play at a slow and controlled tempo to ensure correct technique.
Step 3
If you have any questions then please come along to the weekly mentorship call on Wednesday at 7pm (UK time) and you will be able to ask. You will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with others on this course.
Have Fun!
This is the first of four performances pieces to conclude this level.
This is the second of four performances pieces to conclude this level.
This is the third of four performances pieces to conclude this level.
This is the fourth of four performances pieces to conclude this level.