Fine Arts Center
Percussion II
2007-2008 Course Syllabus

 

 

School Name: The Greenville Fine Arts Center
Course Name: Percussion II
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: 2:10-3:05 m-f

Course Description

Percussion II is a continuation of the Fine Arts Center’s Percussion I, and presumes a solid foundation in snare drum reading, demonstrable command of the 40 snare drum rudiments, and the ability to perform snare drum solos in both concert and rudimental styles.  On the drum set, students should have relaxed and flexible four-way coordination in rock and jazz, be able to read studies and be comfortable improvising in both styles.  Students should have aural references points (know some of the music) in jazz.  Students should have a thorough familiarity with Ted Reed’s Progressive Steps to Syncopation, Garwood Whaley’s Fundamental Studies for the Snare Drum, Charlie Wilcoxon’s The All American Drummer, John Pickering’s The Drummer’s Cookbook, or their equivalent. Percussion II builds on this foundation, expanding reading, musical, and technical ability on the snare drum as well as breadth and depth on the drum set. Samba, some Latin and Afro-Cuban styles are introduced, and jazz studies are taken to an intermediate level.  In addition, Percussion II students begin their studies on the marimba and timpani, and are given their first experience rehearsing and performing in a percussion ensemble. Classes include group, instruction, individual instruction, and studio practice time.

Required Textbooks

The method books required for Percussion II are texts that will be useful to my students for as long as they play or study drums. (Books marked with an * an already in your student’s library from Percussion I). Palmetto Music, Pecknel Music, and other music stores in the area routinely carry these books, which are also readily available online. Each book can all be approached from a variety of levels. Taken individually and as a whole, the nominal, initial cost of owning these books represents a tremendous value. 

Semester I

  •  *Drum Stuff, the resource book I compiled for my class (both semesters)
  • *Ted Reed: Progressive Steps for Syncopation, Alfred Publications
  • *Charlie Wilcoxen: The All American Drummer (both semesters), Ludwig Music Publishing Company
  • Garwood Whaley: Musical Studies for the Intermediate Snare Drummer, Meredith Music Series, Hal Leonard Music       Publishing 
  • John Riley: The Art of Bop Drumming, Published by Manhattan Music and distributed by Warner Brothers Publications
  • *Sunny Jain: The total Jazz Drummer, Hal Leonard Music Publishing

Semester II

  • George Hamilton Greene: New Elementary Studies for Xylophone and Marimba, Meredith Music Series, Hal Leonard Music Publishing
  • Anthony Cirone: Portraits in Rhythm, Alfred Publications
  • Garwood Whaley, Primary Handbook for Timpani, Hal Leonard Music Publishing

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.  I would suggest, in fact, that parents hold off buying some of the books needed for Semester II so that some can be purchased with the fee money.

Materials And Equipment Required For Students In Percussion II

  • 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.
  • one pair of brushes
  • marimba mallets (Semester II only; one set of four matched, medium-hard marimba mallets)
  • tympani mallets (Semester II only; one pair of medium marimba mallets)

Don’t purchase marimba and timpani mallets right away.  I will help you look for vendors than can offer the best product for the most competitive price.

All Students Are Expected To Practice At Home


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.  Two hours daily – combining studio time at the Fine Arts Center and home practice – 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

  • Continuing technical foundation work in Drum Stuff
  • Rudimental solos in Wilcoxon’s The All American Drummer
  • Garwood Whaley: Musical Studies for the Intermediate Snare Drummer, about eight studies
  • Samba style and coordination, using exercises from Ted Reed’s Syncopation for the Modern Drummer
  • Jazz style and coordination using John Riley’s The Arts of Bop Drumming through page 29
  • Learn two jazz standards, such as Satin Doll and Autumn Leaves
  • Preparation of demonstrations for Lecture-Demonstration No. 1
  • Lecture-Demonstration No. 1 (informal recital); Thursday, October 25, 2007; FAC Recital Hall, 7:30 PM

Term II: October 25 through January 15

  • Continuing technical foundation work in Drum Stuff
  • Rudimental solos in Wilcoxon’s The All American Drummer
  • Garwood Whaley: Musical Studies for the Intermediate Snare Drummer, about more eight studies
  • Bossa Nova and some Afro-Cuban as covered in Drum Stuff, The Art of Bop Drumming and The Total Jazz Drummer
  • Jazz style and coordination using John Riley’s The Arts of Bop Drumming through page 29
  • Learn two jazz standards utilizing Latin style such as Song for My Father and Maiden Voyage
  • Preparation of 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

  • Rudimental solos in Wilcoxon’s The All American Drummer
  • Snare drum etudes by Anthony Cirone: Portraits in Rhythm, about four studies
  • Marimba: technical foundations, major scales, reading from New Elementary Studies through about page 23
  • Tympani: technical French grip, technical foundations, studies from Primary Handbook for Timpani
  • Preparation of demonstrations for Lecture-Demonstration No. 2
  • 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)

  • Marimba: continue major scales, reading from New Elementary Studies as far as possible
  • Tympani: continue all technical foundations and studies from Primary Handbook for Timpani
  • Rehearsal of at least one percussion ensemble work
  • Preparation of demonstrations for recital
  • Winds & Percussion Recital No. 2; Wednesday, May 7th, 2008; FAC Recital Hall, 7:30 PM

Major Assignments and Projects

  • 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.

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

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.