TEACHING ETHOS
Time - Sound - Feel
Developing the correct time, feel and sound for any given musical situation is absolutely essential for any drummer.
Ergonomics
In order to feel at home the performer must feel at home on the instrument. Students study the relationship between the performer and the instrument. This includes posture, movement and motion as well as coordination or limb independence. Pure technique also plays a vital role in the effortless execution of performance material and as such it is important to look specifically at foot or pedal technique as well as traditional snare drum hand or sticking patterns.
Concepts and Styles
It is important to study styles, grooves and the various feels that can be applied to the grooves. Drummers also need to have plenty of musical vocabulary at their disposal when improvising. Whether it be with regard to musical phrasing during a tune or literally creating drum parts from the ground up. Students are also encouraged to consider their mental approach to learning, practising and performing. Remember a drummer should play "the right thing at the right time in time all the time". David Garibaldi-Tower of Power
Reading
This is an essential skill for drummers who are serious about progress on their instrument.In one sense being able to understand what is on the page means that the student has the tools required to learn from any written source. Whereas further development of these reading skills will result in an enhanced ability to sight read, this then opens the door to more performance situations for the student. Over many years of teaching I have developed techniques that enable students to read simply and quickly.
Grade Syllabus
I use the new 'Rockschool' syllabus exclusively as I believe it to be the most relevant to the modern musical landscape. It is very important however that the grade syllabus is not the sole product of a students work from one exam to the next. As such students will work from various exercise books in order to facilitate the types of skills mentioned in the first four paragraphs.
Enjoy drumming.
Lee Dash
