Video Library Lessons:
Free Drumset Lesson #1
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Learn MoreFresh Approach Accompaniment Track Downloads
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Learn MoreTeaching the Beginning Mallet Player – Part 1
Before you place the blame on some mysterious “brain vacuum” that exists in the back of your band hall, it’s important to realize that there are so many inherent problems when learning to sightread on keyboard percussion instruments that many young players get discouraged and simply quit trying! WE have set them up to fail from the beginning because we have not taken the steps to identify and address these problems.
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Learn MoreTeaching the Beginning Mallet Player – Part 2
Some of the problems I discussed in Part 1 have easy solutions, and some cannot be overcome except with diligent practice on the part of the student (isn’t that always the case?). The purpose here is to eliminate as many of the problems as possible so that the students can have the best chance at success.
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Learn MoreWhat are the ‘Rudiments’ Anyway?
Should a list of “rudiments” be defined based on the true dictionary term (a “basic principle or element” or “a fundamental skill”)? Or are we solid in our current way of thinking that a list should be representative of the “VOCABULARY” of current rudimental drumming?
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Learn MoreRudiments: The Basic Strokes
For me, Rudiments should be defined as “the essential strokes that are the foundation to drumming”. To reach any type of universal acceptance, the Rudiments should be easy to understand and define – and should apply across ALL genres of drumming – not just rudimental drumming. In this article, I’ll spell out the basic strokes I feel should be “Standard” or “Essential” (again, I’m not pretending to be the “source of all knowledge” – but just wanting to open up the discussion).
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Learn MoreRudiments: The ‘Essential’ Essential Rudiments
My guess is that there will always be widely differing opinions on any subject regarding drumming technique – especially if your background is marching, orchestral or drumset. But that doesn’t mean we can’t discuss it… After all, this isn’t a Tea Party meeting – there can be more than one successful viewpoint! In this article, I’d like to delve into what is “Essential Rudimental Vocabulary” – and what order do you teach the rudiments to young students?
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Learn MoreThinking about Self Publishing?
I get asked often for pointers and recommendations for how to get started, so I thought I’d write it down. I’m going to focus on print – but most of the same info can be applied to a DVD.
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Learn MoreTeaching Musicality to the Keyboard Percussionist
“How exciting. An article on teaching musicality,” you’re probably already thinking. “It’s our job to teach musicality to our students.” Putting our best intentions aside, I don’t think young students learning to play the keyboard with musical phrasing happens nearly as much as we would like to believe. Think about your own 1st or 2nd year percussion students for a moment. How many have developed a seriousness toward studying the keyboard percussion instruments? More than the number who like to play snare drum or drumset? Why is that?
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Learn MoreRhythmic Reading Studies
The lessons excerpted in this feature specifically target fundamental rhythmic training in quarter and 8th note time signatures. These logically paced studies are perfect for percussionists AND non-percussionists – and can be frequently used in any music classroom for a fun rhythm training activity!
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