drums and percussions

Beginning drum/percussion students at the conservatory will start off learning basic rhythmic notation and rudiments using  Alfred’s Drum Method book 1. Along with snare drum technique from this book we will move into beginning time-keeping using various hand drums and percussion instruments.

Understanding basic rhythmic notation is essential to transitioning to drum set , learning basic beats from Realistic Rock by Carmine Appice.  Fills  to accompany these beats will be from various sources as well as handwritten printed material focusing on a particular need of the student.

Intermediate students will be studying compound rudiments , advanced dynamic markings , accents and more complex sticking patterns . Books used will be Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone.

The All American drummer by Charley Wilcoxon and various handwritten exercises designed to strengthen various aspects of the students overall proficiency.

Advanced students will work on polyrhythms as applied to drum set in addition to Advanced techniques for the Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin and others including handwritten exercises emphasizing 4 limb independence. Snare drum studies will be from John S. Pratt . 14 Modern Contest Solo and his Rudimental Solos for Accomplished Drummers in addition to Accents and Rebounds by George Lawrence Stone and others. 

All styles of drum set playing will be covered including Rock, Jazz, various Latin and contemporary Pop drumming.

Mallets studies will begin with Morris Goldenberg’s Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone. 

Fall Semester