Wee Mad Tim
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Apr 17 2006
Posts: 117
Loc: Australia
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Hi guys. I've been away for quite a while. Hope you're all well.
The reason for this post is this: As part of my Masters in Music, I'm undertaking a spot of research into how drum kit is taught and the whys and wherefores behind that process.
My main goal at the end of it is to develop a curriculum or method that will enable a student to master the skills that they need to be able to gain work as a drummer. We all know that (for example) you need decent technique, but at what level? We know that it's more about nailing the groove than
blowing chops all night, but how do we nail the groove? What is a right or wrong groove? How can we teach this to our students? These are but a small sample of the questions that plague my every waking moment and keep me awake till the wee hours of the morn.
Also, I find myself no matter what method book or system I use, writing additional exercises to make up for that method's shortcomings. So to develop an 'ideal' method
targeted at a specific end goal would be a good thing, almost like a 'how to' manual for becoming a working drummer.
The first step in this process is to determine what these skills are, and how important they are in relation to each other. That's where you come in. I'm interested in talking to as many working drummers as possible from all points of the spectrum. This can be anyone who either gigs once or
twice a month, up to anyone on the forum who earns a regular income from gigs and sessions and the like. Also, I'm keen to talk to drum teachers about your philosophy and approach to drum teaching. Anyone who is interested can apply.
I'll be doing up a proper questionnaire for this in the next week or two, so please don't give me all your answers now. Just either post here or PM me if you're interested in
taking part in the process and I'll keep you in the loop. Your input will be highly valued and will remain confidential if you desire it to be so.
Thanks in advance for your time. You're a bunch of legends.
Cheers
TIM
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The working drummer survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=OerG2BFo34vVa3mazH_2f16g_3d_3d
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roger strange
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Dec 09 2003
Posts: 1137
Loc: Nova Scotia Canada
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Well...I could go on for hours over that one as far as technique and listening and developing skills on the drums. However if you are working out a curriculum on becoming a professional you need also to include a section on the business of Music and marketing oneself as a player in that area.You can be the best technician/player in the World but if you don't know the business you are getting into as a professional then you might as well go sell shoes or something.
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Alistair
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: May 17 2006
Posts: 419
Loc: New Zealand
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I'll help out as much as I can - I don't know how valuable my input will be, but I guess every little helps!
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Pywacket
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Nov 21 2005
Posts: 593
Loc: WALES, UK.
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In the tradition of this forum......
At your service my friend!
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"Never Turn Your Back On A Friend"
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funkygeeek
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 108
Loc: Indiana
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Sounds great! As a professional researcher (web usability, ergonomics, media consumption, media of/in health and wellness, eye tracking) and uber drum geek I am very interested in helping out as much as I can. I have some experience teaching drums and percussion; however, I think some input regarding what I would want in an instructor may be even more beneficial. Let me know how I can help- sounds fascinating and I definitely respect the approach you are taking to developing the curriculum. Also, I must agree with Roger's point on teaching the business aspect. The technical side of executing grooves and licks, even in good time, are quite seperate from the business. Also, special emphasis should be placed on the real world application of concepts. For example, a student may be interested in learning drumset adaptations of traditional West African rhthyms (I've been having a lot of fun w/ Royal Hartigan's book on this topic). That kind of exploration is great and should be encouraged; however, the real fun and challenge comes about when one begins to learn to identify appropriate uses within a real world musical context. So, a section on something like that would be very cool, useful, and probably fairly unique. I would invision it teaching critical listening and identification of appropriate opportunities for application of the concept. The next step would be the actual execution of that concept in the "real world" musical context (combo, band, etc.).
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funkygeeek
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 108
Loc: Indiana
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Also, greaat question on "what is nailing a groove"- wow, the simple "text book" answer is "have them practice with the metronome/click"; however, I think we can all agree that that method only APPROACHES the goal. If a student learns to play right on the beat w/ the metronome, that feel won't be right for many songs (those that need to be slightly behind or ahead of the beat). It's easy enough to talk about three very basic types of feel (behind, on, ahead of the beat); however, the real challenge (as I mentioned above) is teaching the students to identify and execute the appropriate feel for the context. Also, and I'm just brainstorming so I apologize for the long replies, a piece on controlling ego would be a huge benefit as well. It takes a bit of experience and maturity to realize your role as a drummer- I don't necessarily subscribe to the "less is ALWAYS more" mentality, but I certainly know that less is often more. Again, it comes down to the ability to identify something's appropriateness for a given context- a straight four on the floor bass drum, 2 and 4 snare back beat, and 8th ride just wouldn't sound right in many Mahavishnu or Rush pieces- at the same time, sometimes a minimilist approach is the absolute hippest thing you can play, very interesting. A quote that I love and that helps me keep those sorts of things in perspective comes from the great Roy Haynes. Mr. Haynes said, essentially "I may not be the best, but their ain't nobody hipper"- I believe that the "hippness" he refers to is that ability to identify that right thing to play to make something really cook/groove/swing- it may be super fast/complex or super simple but executed just right. I'll keep thinking!
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Dave_Heim
Tiger Talk Trainee
Reged: Jul 18 2008
Posts: 29
Loc: Chicago
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I'll help!
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A B
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Jul 29 2002
Posts: 119
Loc: NY
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Sure, be glad to help, sounds like fun.
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Esse Quam Videri
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Wee Mad Tim
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Apr 17 2006
Posts: 117
Loc: Australia
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Here's the link to a short survey. Thanks all for your time.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=OerG2BFo34vVa3mazH_2f16g_3d_3d
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The working drummer survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=OerG2BFo34vVa3mazH_2f16g_3d_3d
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