This course is designed for students with no previous drumming experience. Students will receive guidance and direction in solving problems related to playing the drums at a beginning level and will learn many of the different styles, skills and techniques required to become a successful drummer. Areas of concentration include: correct posture, note reading, rhythmic patterns, improvisation and performing experiences. A brief history of the drums along with a study of its respective musical styles will also be covered in this course. This course will explore the fundamentals of percussion performance. Exploration into the performance techniques and literature for all instruments of the percussion family will be the focus of the course, including snare drum, timpani, mallet percussion, drum set, and African and Latin percussion instruments. Drums will be provided for the students enrolled in this course. There is no requirement to purchase your own drums or drumsticks.

Textbooks

• The Packet - Frank Chapple

• The Regiment - Shaun Tilberg

• A Percussionist’s Guide to Check Patterns – Thom Hannum

• The Drummer’s Daily Guide – Dennis DeLucia

• Percussion Methods – Nancy Smith

• The Complete Percussionist – Robert Breithaupt

• Portraits in Rhythm – Anthony J. Cirone

• Stick Control for the Snare Drummer – George Lawrence Stone

• The New Breed: Systems for the Development of Your Own Creativity – Gary Chester

• Progressive steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer – Ted Reed

• Modern Method for Tympani – Saul Goodman

3 Things You Must Have Every Class

Sheet Music (Provided by Teacher)

Paper for Note Taking

Pencil

Laptop

Grading

Graded Assignments

Formative Assessments are graded and then given a weight of x1, x2, or x3 (Teacher Discretion)

When working towards the long term goals a project will require in Percussion Ensemble, the Course Instructor will occasionally assign smaller assignments that will help supplement the understanding of the intricacies required to make music for a project.

Quizzes & Playing Tests

Summative Assessments are graded and then given a weight of x10

Quizzes will either be performance-based quizzes, or written quizzes, and will take place during the class period. Students will be given prior notice to prepare before any quiz.

Habits of Work

Cell phones are not permitted during any class period unless given direct permission from that teacher. Breaking the cell phone policy during class time will result in detention with a teacher and the phone held in the office for the remainder of the day.