Drums Foundation Level 1 Read drum kit notation for bass drum, snare and hi-hat (closed at all times) using quarter notes (crotchets), eighth notes (quavers) and their associated rests. Be able to read rhythms containing the above in 4/4 time. 2. TECHNIQUE Snare Drum Play a single stroke roll at tempos from 60 to 120 b.p.m. 3. TECHNIQUE Drum Kit Sit at drum kit displaying good posture and correct grip of drumsticks. Be able to play an eighth note based rock beat using three way coordination. Hi-hat remains in the closed position. 4. STYLE / REPERTOIRE Be able to play a short solo piece involving bass drum, snare drum and closed hi-hat in a rock style, maintaining a steady tempo. Play along with a backing track keeping good time using a steady rock beat. Play a short piece (Rockschool Debut Grade) 20 bars of music in 4/4 time signature. Fills notated and found at the end of each four bars. Reflect on and evaluate own performances
Drums Foundation Level 2 Be able to play rhythms containing groups of 16th notes (semi quavers). Be able to read notation for full standard 5 piece drum kit comprising bass drum, snare drum, tom toms, ride cymbal and crash cymbal. 2. TECHNIQUE Snare Drum Be able to play double stroke roll and single paradiddle as quavers at 70 b p m. Play 8th note based rock beats containing 8th and 16th note drum fills utilising tom toms and crash cymbals. Demonstrate control of hi-hat pedal to allow open and closed action. Be able to play single and double stroke rolls, and a single paradiddle. Play these rudiments over a basic ostinato foot pattern. Hands play 8th notes feet play alternating ¼ notes, right foot left foot 60 to 90 b p m. Be able to perform an eight bar long piece involving all the above rudiments, (Trinity College Grade 1 Rudimental Study.) 4. STYLE / REPERTOIRE Be able to play various rock beats utilising 16th note drum fills in a confident manner. Perform a 12 bar and a 32 bar solo based on the above using all parts of the drum kit. Be able to perform a short solo and improvise a 4 bar section. Perform a 25 bar long piece to a backing track ( Justin Time Rockschool Grade 1) involving syncopated bass drum patterns, open/closed hi-hat and crash and ride cymbals. Reflect on and evaluate your own performance.
Drums Foundation Level 3 Be able to play basic16th note variations (comprising 8th and 16th notes within one beat) Read syncopated patterns containing 16th note rests 2. TECHNIQUE Snare Drum Be able to play single stroke and double stroke roll and single paradiddle using 16th notes at a tempo range from 60 to 120 b.p.m. Play with a variety of dynamics from p to ff and perform a crescendo over a 1 bar section of music. Play the same rudiments as in level 2 (at a 16th note speed) as 16th notes over an 8th note ostinato pattern with the feet. Play a flam and a drag utilising alternate sticking (as per Trinity College Grade 2 rudiments.) Play 8th note patterns containing open and closed hi-hat. Be able to play a piece at a max tempo of 100 b.p.m. maintaining a steady pulse. 4. REPERTOIRE Play short pieces involving full kit instrumentation and employing a range of dynamics incorporating sections ranging from pianissimo to double forte and crescendos. Perform to an audience in a small group setting or possibly under the direction of a conductor in a school concert band. Play a short solo piece ( Ringo Trinity College Grade 1) 12 bars incorporating 4 way coordination and use of the full standard 5 piece drum set. This piece uses the rudiments learnt above in a musical setting including use of dynamics and four way coordination/ independence. Perform a 32 bar piece to a backing track and display the ability to switch seamlessly from hi-hat to ride cymbal and also incorporate the crash cymbal and drum fills for dynamic effect. Compose and perform a 12 bar solo for full 5 piece drum kit. Reflect on and evaluate own performance.
Drums Intermediate Level 1 Play and read extremely complicated groupings of 16th note variations. Read drum charts containing repeat signs combined with 1st and 2nd time bars. 2. TECHNIQUE - Snare Drum Demonstrate a higher level of stick control than in Foundation level and play bounce and buzz strokes. Play 5, 7 and 9 stroke rolls, (Trinity College Grade 3 Rudiments.) Perform a single stroke roll with dynamic control ranging from pianissimo to forte. Play 16th note paradiddle whilst alternating 8th notes with feet. Play a 16th note based hi-hat pattern involving open/closing of hi-hat cymbals. This demonstrates 4 way independence/ coordination. Play chosen pieces and exercises at up to 120b/p.m. 4. STYLE/REPERTOIRE Play in styles other than rock including Funk and Motown (soul) Perform a rudimental study (Trinity College Grade 3 Rudimental Study 1) Display a development of stylistic appreciation. Perform in a variety of styles and in a convincing manner displaying good timekeeping skills at all times. Perform displaying a dynamic range from mp to f. Reflect on and evaluate own performance.
Drums Intermediate Level 2 Read notation involving 32nd note groupings and 8th note triplets. Read a piece written in compound time which also includes a Coda section. 2. TECHNIQUE - Snare Drum Execute a flam paradiddle, double paradiddle and paradiddle-diddle as per Trinity College Grade 4 rudiments. Play 32nd notes on snare drum and closed hi-hat by employing double strokes with each hand ( 5 stroke roll) in an accurate and convincing manner. 4. STYLE/REPERTOIRE Play a wider variety of styles including Heavy rock, Disco-Funk, jazz and half-time passages. Demonstrate the ability to integrate the rudiments studied so far into rock grooves and construct a drum solo using various paradiddle patterns. Trinity Guildhall Grade 3 rudimental study No.1 Perform a short piece from memory. Switch between two styles (funk/disco) and play an 8 bar soli section in a smooth and musical manner whilst maintaining good timekeeping skills. Perform Trinity College Grade 3 piece Funk One. Reflect on and evaluate own performance.
Drums Intermediate Level 3 Play charts that are not fully notated but contain sections where the student is expected to continue in a similar style to that already written whilst developing the part musically. Read groupings containing 16th note and ¼ note triplets. 2. TECHNIQUE Snare Drum Play an open stroke roll (single stroke roll) as a long roll incorporating a dynamic range from ppp to fff. Be able to play a double stroke roll as above. Play single strokes in eighth, eighth note triplets and sixteenth notes. Perform complex syncopated patterns on snare drum with accents whilst playing a 16th note ostinato pattern with the feet. Perform convincingly at tempos up to 150b.p.m. Play double strokes in eighth and sixteenth notes using snare and toms. Play single paradiddles in sixteenth notes using the whole kit. 4. STYLE /REPERTOIRE Play in a wider variety of styles including jazz, shuffle, latin and punk. Play rhythms of a more complex syncopated nature whilst displaying good control of the dynamic range of the instrument. Perform a piece containing different styles (e.g. Download Rockschool Grade 3or select a piece from the current Rockschool sylabus) moving from a heavy rock section in common time to a half time section, then back to a common time section moving into a compound time section The above must be done in a manner and style which is appropriate to each section and involves a certain amount of improvisation. Reflect on and evaluate your performance.
Drums Advancing Level 1 Play pieces containing odd time bars (e.g from 4/4 time to 1 bar of 3 4) and maintain a comfortable flow to the rhythm. Perform a sight reading test. 2. TECHNIQUE - Snare Drum Be able to play a ratamaque ( Trinity Collge Grade 4) Play eighth, eighth note triplets and sixteenth notes. 2 bars of each. First times as singles then repeated as doubles. Tempo, 70 b p m. Play the kit using wire brushes in the following styles - swing jazz pulse, bossa-nova and pop ballad. Be able to apply the ratamaque to the drum kit ( a la Steve Gadd) Perform confidently at tempos up to 160b.p.m. 4. STYLE/REPERTOIRE Play with confidence and in an authentic manner in a range of styles including Latin American (Bossa Nova) Brazilian (samba), Cuban (Cha Cha and Mambo) and swing. Understand the role of hand percussion within these genres and be able to demonstrate simple appropriate rhythms on hand percussion to suit each style. Identify a drummer who s playing has been influential to your own style. Choose a song by this artist and critique their performance. Play along to a backing track (without notation) and choose an appropriate style of rhythm to accompany. Perform from a choice of Grade 4 Rockschool and grade 5 Trinity College pieces. Reflect on and evaluate your own performance.
Drums Advancing Level 2 1. READING NOTATION Be able to read and interpret professional level drum charts. Read odd time signature pieces. Perform a sight reading test. Transcribe a song and write a drum chart. 2. TECHNIQUE - Snare Drum Be able to play a military style snare drum cadence employing a variety of rudiments. Play eighth, eighth note triplets and sixteenth notes. 2 bars of each. First time as singles then doubles on the repeat. 80 b p m. Play double bass drum patterns in a rock style and as part of a drum fill. Play a simple polyrhythmic pattern (3 over2 in an Afro-Cuban style pattern) Be able to use areas of the kit such as rims and shell of floor tom and incorporate them into Latin patterns so as to sound more authentic. Have complete control over dynamic range of the instrument and be able to demonstrate this appropriately during performance. 4. STYLE/REPERTOIRE Demonstrate abilities across a number of styles. Have excellent control over sound and make stylistic changes to suit the music. Be able to perform certain styles within styles (sub genres) eg Rock Shuffle, Texas Shuffle and Rockabilly Shuffle. Perform a piece which involves an 8 bar solo played over a musical backing. Perform with others in a group and contribute to collective decisions. Respond to the other musicians in ensemble sections and make stylistic choices as appropriate, both during ensemble sections and also whilst backing a soloist. Play an improvised solo in any given style e.g. jazz, latin, or rock.perform from a choice of Grade 5 Rockschool and Grade 6 trinity College pieces. Choose a song or piece of music that the artist you identified in Advancing level 1 performed on. Perform the drum part to the chosen song in a convincing manner. Reflect on and evaluate your own performance.