The course outlines below are designed as a guide to what dedicated students can expect to learn in private lessons. Each level (1-6) could be evaluated as a semester’s worth of material. This program is designed to prepare the student for entry into a college or university level music course.
Intermediate to Advanced students will have the option to pick and choose the topics they wish to focus on, and the program can be easily customized towards their individual goals.
Level 1: Basic
Level 2: Basic
Level 3: Intermediate
Level 4: Intermediate
Level 5: Advanced
Level 6: Advanced
Level 1: Basic
Concepts
-good posture/playing position
-making your kit easy to play (tuning/positioning)
-basic stretching exercises
-discuss use of a metronome
-development of daily practice routine
Technique
-holding the sticks with matched grip
-Basic Rudiments: single, double, buzz stroke rolls
-playing with dynamics (soft-loud-soft)
-playing at various tempos (slow-fast-slow)
-co-ordination exercises for 3 limbs
Reading
-Basic Musical Notation (note values)
-8ths, quarters, 16th notes and rests
-how to count in 4/4 time signature
-play basic combinations of rhythms in 4/4
Grooves
-Basic Rock Grooves (quarter and 8th note based)
-counting out 2 bar and 4 bar phrases
-play 2 bar/4 bar phrases with a rock groove and fills
Level 2: Basic
Concepts
-stretching exercises
-Accents and rebounds
-grooving with a metronome
-introduction to 4 limb co-ordination
Technique
-Rudiments: paradiddles, flams, 3 rolls (reviewed)
-applying these rudiments to the kit
-applying accents/rebounds to rudiments
-exercises to allow the sticks to bounce
Reading
-Time signatures 12/8 vs 4/4
-basic notation (note values) and counting in 12/8
-playing basic rhythms in 12/8
-Basic grooves and fills in 12/8
Grooves
-paradiddle groove in 4/4
-more 8th note grooves
-using the hi hat pedal and ride cymbal
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Level 3: Intermediate
Concepts
-how to get a good drum sound (drum heads, tuning techniques, muffling etc)
-discussion of playing drums musically
ie. playing whats right for the song
-the drummer’s role in a band
Technique
-Rudiments: paradiddle combinations, flam combos, short rolls (5,6, 7 stroke)
-Moeller/ Jim Chapin accent/rebound exercises
-how to hit properly for power ie. L.H. whip stroke
-bass drum pedal technique
Reading
-play a basic snare piece in 4/4
-play a basic snare piece in 12/8
-discussion of dynamics/counting, road map for reading music
Grooves
-Intermediate Rock Grooves/Fills
-16th note grooves/fills
-16th note building blocks for grooves/fills
-learn to play a basic song of choice on drums
Level 4: Intermediate
Concepts
-Rock Drumming History
-listen to and discuss 3 great rock drummers ie. John Bonham, Keith Moon, Neil Peart
-learn to identify the elements of their playing ie. Ride cymbal, bass drum patterns, fills
Technique
-Applying flams, paradiddles, short rolls to the drum kit
-hand / foot combinations
-4 way warm up exercises
Reading
-play an intermediate snare piece in 4/4 and 12/8 with and without a metronome
-advanced rhythmic notation
ie. Syncopation, triplets in 4/4, odd meters (5/4, 7/4, 7/8)
Grooves
-Introduction to “ghost notes” and 16th note funk grooves
-shuffle grooves (two-handed, Texas, 2-step)
-Introduction to the jazz ride pattern
-Bossa-nova groove
-play an intermediate song of your choice
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Level 5: Advanced
Concepts
-Jazz Drumming History
-listen to and discuss 3 great jazz drummers ie. Jimmy Cobb, Buddy Rich, Art Blakey
-discussion of swing playing / ride cymbal technique
-12 bar blues and 32 bar song forms
-introduction to soloing on the drums
Technique
-Advanced rudiments –drag combos, accented rolls
-review of buzz roll with dynamics
-applying the 6 stroke roll
-combining rudiments creatively
Reading
-Play an advanced snare piece
-syncopated exercises with various foot patterns
-basic jazz charts
Grooves
-Jazz groove at different tempos
-Linear grooves
-hip-hop/soul/funk grooves
-Trade 4 and 8 bar solos in rock, funk and jazz styles
Level 6: Advanced
Concepts
-Intro to Afro/Cuban drumming
-Discuss large vs. small ensemble drumming
-listen to and discuss 3 great modern drummers
ie. Steve Gadd, Dennis Chambers, Horacio Hernandes
Technique
-Advanced 4-way co-ordination
-Traditional vs. Matched grip
-intro to brushes
-Advanced soloing techniques
Reading
-Play jazz groove with “Syncopation” pages
-learn to write basic drum charts
-play through reading exercises in a funk or latin style
Grooves
-3:2 / 2:3 Son clave grooves with cascara
-Songo pattern
-6/8 Afro-Cuban groove
-1/2 time shuffle patterns
-jazz brush patterns in 4/4 and ¾
Riley O'Connor Music 