Fine Arts Center
Percussion I
2007-2008 Course Syllabus
School Name: The Greenville Fine Arts Center
Course Name: Percussion I
Instructor: Gary A. Robinson, D.M.A.
Office Room Number: Suite #126
Phone number and extension: 355-2568
Email Address: grobinso@greenville.k12.sc.us
Class Time/Room Number: 9:15-10:10 m-f
Course Description
Percussion I is an introductory course in which students develop a strong foundational technique on snare drum and drum set, and an insightful, intellectually based ability to read musical notation. Snare drum studies encompass both concert and rudimental styles, but focus uniquely on snare drum rudiments and their application to drum set. Drum set studies cover body alignment, four-way coordination, tone production, phrasing, and improvisation principally in rock and jazz styles.
Students enrolled in Percussion I are given small group and individual instruction as needed. Students also work with one another as teammates to master skills being studied. Each class period encompasses both instruction and team practice time. Our general objectives include:
General Musicianship
• ability to read and to control the performance of written notation, especially rhythmic
• be able to apply understanding and control of rhythmic concepts and notation in all applicable performance areas
Snare drum
• ability to perform, at a beginning competition level, all 40 standard snare drum rudiments
• ability to read standard snare drum notation through and including intermediate level
• ability to perform intermediate level concert snare drum etude
• ability to perform intermediate level rudimental snare drum etude
Drum set
• ability to perform rock feel at moderate tempo demonstrating four-way independence
• ability to perform jazz feels at moderate tempo demonstrating four-way independence
• ability to perform basic samba and clave feels demonstrating four-way independence (time permitting)
• ability to perform a rudimentary drum solos in each style
All Percussion I students should come to class with the following required textbooks:
• Pickering, John: The Drummer’s Cookbook, by Mel Bay Publications
• Reed, Ted: Progressive Steps for Syncopation, distributed by Alfred
• Whaley, Garwood: Fundamental Studies for the Snare Drum, Meredith Music Series. Hal Leonard Music Publishing
• Wilcoxon, Charlie: The All American Drummer 150 Rudimental Solos, Ludwig Music Publishing Company
• Drum Stuff, the resource book I compiled for my class
The four method books required for Percussion I are texts that will be useful to my students for as long as they play or study drums. With the possible exception of the Whaley book, they can all be approached from a variety of levels. The Reed book can be used in so many ways as to make it literally inexhaustible. (Your students can always use the Whaley book when he/she has an opportunity to teach another student.) Palmetto Music, Pecknel Music, and other music stores in the area routinely carry these books, which are also readily available online. Taken individually and as a whole, the nominal, initial cost of owning these books represents a tremendous value.
Fee
The Fine Arts Center asks for a $25 fee from each participating student. This fee will come back to students in the form of materials (additional method books, special sticks, etcetera) that we will purchase through the school during the year.
Materials And Equipment Required For Students In Percussion I
• texts listed above
• access to a drum set
• a Remo or “Real Feel” practice pad and stand. The stand is mandatory, as all of our manual development is undertaken standing.
• a metronome (preferably a Matrix M600) and a set of earphones
• hearing protection (foam inserts of muffs)
• one pair of Cooperman Nick Petrella drum sticks. These are to be used on practice pad and snare drum ONLY. (Do NOT use these on the drum set!) The Coopermans are being carried specifically for Fine Arts Center students by Palmetto Music, located at 3 Wade Hampton Blvd., near the intersection of Stone Avenue. Palmetto Music owner Freddie Wooten has taken on a franchise with Cooperman especially so we will have local access to these sticks! It is important for each student to audition several pairs before purchase, as each has a slightly different gram weight and feel.
• one pair of lightweight drum set sticks, such as Vic Firth SD4 Combo, almost any 5a or 7a or the equivalent stick with a wooden bead.
Progress and development as a musician always includes individual practice time. There are no exceptions to this “law” because the physical and neurological development that is a part of playing an instrument requires a great deal individual problem solving and repetition. Understanding that students have to balance many responsibilities and commitments, it is still vitally important that they find some time each day to practice. An hour is a good benchmark. (When I have the “liberty” of practicing as much as I need to, I personally find that three hours of practice a day insures that I will improve noticeably.) Consistent and adequate practice may, in fact, require life style changes on the part of both the student and family. Please be prepared for this! I can assure you, however, that the skill, poise, discipline, and intellectual acuity that is an outgrowth of regular and correct practice is well worth the time and effort.
Tentative Course Outline
The following will give my students and families an idea of what we will cover in a given year and when we will cover it. In reality, however, we will incorporate additional goals and resources as my students are able. Put simply, we will learn AS MUCH as we can AS FAST as we can without sacrificing proper concepts and technical foundations.
Term I: August 20 through October 24
• Fundamentals of snare drum playing: proper grip, posture, practice pad use, practice techniques, using a metronome, practicing with recordings
• Single stroke roll exercises, double stroke and long roll exercises, short rolls 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17; begin paradiddle rudiments
• Garwood Whaley: Fundamental Studies for Snare Drum, about 20 out of 80 exercises
• Four-way coordination, style, sound, and reading in rock drum set playing, using exercises from Ted Reed’s Syncopation for the Modern Drummer
• Improvisation in rock style
• Completion of optional creative/individual project
• Lecture-Demonstration No. 1 (informal recital); Thursday, October 25, 2007; FAC Recital Hall, 7:30 PM
Term II: October 25 through January 15
• Paradiddle rudiments and exercises; flam rudiments and exercises
• Garwood Whaley: Fundamental Studies for Snare Drum, about 20 more out of 80 exercises
• Preparation of snare drum work(s) for recital
• Continued four-way coordination rock drum set playing, using exercises from Ted Reed’s Syncopation for the Modern Drummer
• Improvisation in rock style
• Basic jazz coordination and time keeping using Ted Reed’s Syncopation for the Modern Drummer
• Preparation of drum set demonstrations for recital
• Winds & Percussion Recital No. 1; Wednesday, January 16, 2008; FAC Recital Hall, 7:30 PM
Term III: January 16 through March 20
• Flam rudiments and exercises; drag rudiments and exercises
• Garwood Whaley: Fundamental Studies for Snare Drum, about 20 more out of 80 exercises
• Rudimental snare drum solos from Charlie Wilcoxon’s All-American Drummer (as many as we can handle)
• four-way coordination rock drum set playing using exercises from John Pickering’s The Drummer’s Cookbook.
• Continued: improvisation in rock style
• Continued: basic jazz coordination and time keeping using Ted Reed’s Syncopation for the Modern Drummer
• Improvisation in jazz style
• Lecture-Demonstration No. 2 (informal recital); Thursday, March 20, 2008; FAC Recital Hall, 7:30 PM
Term IV: March 21 through May 23 (last day for underclassmen at Fine Arts Center)
• Review of all rudiments using materials from Drum Stuff
• Garwood Whaley: Fundamental Studies for Snare Drum, finish the book
• Rudimental snare drum solos from Charlie Wilcoxon’s All-American Drummer (as many as we can handle)
• Continued: our-way coordination rock drum set playing using exercises from John Pickering’s The Drummer’s Cookbook.
• Continued: improvisation in rock style
• Continued: basic jazz coordination and time keeping using Ted Reed’s Syncopation for the Modern Drummer
• Improvisation in jazz style
• Time permitting: introduction of Afro-Cuban clave and Brazilian samba rhythms using Drum Stuff
• Preparation of snare drum work(s) for recital
• Preparation of drum set demonstrations for recital
• Winds & Percussion Recital No. 2; Wednesday, May 7, 2008; FAC Recital Hall, 7:30 PM
Other
Attendance and Tardy Policy: refer to Fine Arts Center handbook
Classroom Rules and Expectations:
• Report on time to each class. Please let me know in advance if you must miss the class for any reason.
• each class, bring all appropriate sticks and mallets, your class anthology, other current class materials, and a pencil.
• if you are asked to work on your own or in a small group, use your time wisely and constructively.
• Food and beverages, except for bottle water, are prohibited at the Fine Arts Center.
• Strive always to do and to be your best
Assessment Information and Grading Scale, Percussion I:
Students receive grades based upon their mastery of performance skills on the various instruments. “Playing checks” (quizzes) are usually given once each week, and a term playing examination is given at the end of each nine weeks. Students receive test grades for participation in recitals, showcases, and other class-related performances.
Major Assignments and Projects required:
• Each week, students receive a quiz grade on some aspect of current class work.
• At the end of the first and third quarters, each student will be responsible to perform, for his/her peers, a program consisting of materials as representative of the preceding nine weeks. This “jury” will be counted as a term exam.
• At the end of the second and fourth quarters, each student will be responsible to perform, for his/her peers, a program consisting of materials as representative of the preceding semester. This “jury” will be counted as a semester exam.
• Each term students will perform in either a Lecture Demonstration or a formal Recital. Successful participation will contribute an additional 100-point test grade to the term average.
• Students who have MASTERED current assignments may design and perform, in consultation with the teacher, an OPTIONAL project that demonstrates their creative application. Successful completion will contribute an additional 100-point test grade to the term average.
Plan for Routine Communication With Parents:
• Occasional e-letter sent to my students and families with assignments, schedules, and notices of events
• Posting of the above and additional information on my blog: http://www.facorchestra.blogspot.com/
• Quarterly Fine Arts Center Newsletter is mailed to all parents of Fine Arts Center students.
• Parents are contacted promptly in the event of academic or disciplinary problems.
• A log of parent phone calls is maintained in teacher's office.