In this first module of Course 4 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 three courses as well.
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.
You can try playing in front of a mirror or recording yourself and watching it back.
Throughout this whole process you can adopt the view that it is far better to do something the right way than it is to play quickly. Speed comes with good 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 this module we explore how rudiments are not only limited to developing handspeed, but that they can actually boost fluency and speed when moving around the drum kit. Not only this but they can also sound great as well!
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.
You can try playing in front of a mirror or recording yourself and watching it back.
Throughout this whole process you can adopt the view that it is far better to do something the right way than it is to play quickly. Speed comes with good 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 this module we look at the new styles added and required at this level as well as previous styles that have been developed. Remember to recap previous styles and add these to your repertoire as opposed to replacing any styles learnt in previous modules. The idea here is that you are learnoing a bank of grooves and styles to draw on as you move forward.
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.
You can try playing in front of a mirror or recording yourself and watching it back.
Throughout this whole process you can adopt the view that it is far better to do something the right way than it is to play quickly. Speed comes with good 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 explores using dotted quavers and semiquavers to build interesting and detailled grooves. Use the Hihats as an anchor and try to figure out how the advanced rhyhms used in the drum parts fit with these.
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 using 'chokes' on the cymbals to create short, sharp impacting sounds. There are a variety of ways to achieve these sounds around the kit and you can learn more using the attached module information. This technique can be found across a wide range of styles and can add flair to your playing.
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!
Triplets and Triplet Fills are a great way of moving around the kit in a creative way. They work brilliantly with a variety of styles. When played with Blues, Jazz and Shuffle styles they flow naturally. When played with Rock, Pop, Funk etc they add a unique feel that works with but adds interest against a Quaver groove.
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!
The fills in this module use both the hands and the feet (Bass Drum). This method shares the work normally undertaken by two limbs (the hands) across three. This makes playing faster and being creative around the drums easier. It does require another level of coordination but as with all aspects of drumming, practice will make this easier.
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 how fills can be created simply by using patterns. This is not to suggest that this is a better or worse method than reading music but it can serve as another option. The attached module information explains the process and as always please feel free to take this concept and to run with it. See how creative you can be and how this approach can influence your composition and playing more widely.
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 explores two concepts that can both be applied invididually, but that also compliment one another. The Linear approach is a completely new concept and it can open doors to an entirely new approach to playing. This method is best used inconjunction with existing methids and by employing some of the ideas in this module you will widen your scope for creativity and fun.
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 will probably be quite familiar with the concepts of Accents by now. If not, then don't worry as this module explains everything. An accent put simply means to play certain notes louder. By doing this you create overlaying rhythms which can sound great and really add to a groove.
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!
Adding layers of sound to a groove can be great and really add 'colour' to a groove. Although you will have a set amount of drums and cymbals in your set up, don't be limited by this. Each drum and/or cymbal will have many different sounds that can be achieved by playing on different parts and with different sticks, positions, mallets etc. The Ride Cymbal is no exception and using the bell can really add to a groove.
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!
Sextuplets are part of the 'Tuplet' family and simply mean to divide a note into 6 parts. This module explores how these are made and how they can be used in your playing.
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!
Adding open hihats to any groove can sound good but this is amplifed when playing Semiquaver grooves. It is a technique not limited to a particular genre or style of music but you may hear Disco and Funk influences in some of the grooves 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!
The left foot (or right foot if you play left handed) tends to be the least used limb for most drummers. This happens naturally as the focus in learning starts with the hands and then moves to introducing the bass drum. The left foot has many benefits and is something that can be difficult but very worth while exploring. It can be great for time keeping and also add another layer to your grooves.
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!
Adding swing to a groove completely changes the feel. When we apply this concept to grooves played on the Toms it can add a very powerful feel to a groove. You can hear this technique in a variety of styles and does not need to be something that is used exclusively. Moving from the cymbals to the toms and back again can be very effective.
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!
Adding a second Crash Cymbal can benefit your playing in two ways. Firstly adding a sonic change and variation in sound and secondly making it easier to reach. There is no limit to the amount of cymbals that you can add to your set up.
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 is desgined to give a little more insight into some of the concepts introduced at this level. You can refer to this module throughout the course and it will hopefully answer any questions that you may have. If there is anything else that you need to know then please just ask...
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!