The New Drummer
In this introductory hands-on course for the absolute beginner, students learn basic drum set technique. Class covers the function of each of the various drums and cymbals and their applications in jazz, Latin, rock and other contemporary styles of music. Basic sticking techniques and patterns including the single and double stroke rolls, the paradiddle, and the drum fill are also covered. Prerequisites: none. Students must own a pair of drumsticks! Class text: Learn to Play the Drumset, Pete Magadini (available at Jazzschool Books and Records).

Mondays 6:30 – 8 pm
JOE BAGALE (10 weeks) $365

Rock & Funk Drumming

This class serves as an introduction to basic rock and funk grooves. Class plays along with CDs and students are encouraged to bring in their favorite recordings.

Prerequisite: Drum Set Technique for Beginners or equivalent. Class text: Funky Primer by Charles Dowd and Syncopation by Ned Reed (available in the Jazzschool Books & Records store).

Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
JOE BAGALE (10 weeks) $365

New Class!
The Versatile Drummer

The contemporary drummer is called upon to play many styles of music on any given gig, session, or recording. This class familiarizes drummers with a solid mix of essential drum set grooves including: samba, bossa, baião, “2” feel, bebop, swing, mambo, cha-cha, bembe, funk, hip-hop, and numerous variations, with an emphasis on sound and feel.

Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
ALAN HALL (10 weeks) $365

New Class! 
The Musical Drummer

This class focuses on developing the drummer’s sense of musicality — the essential (and often lacking) element of playing which can take your drumming beyond patterns and exercises and bring it to life. Students explore a wide variety of concepts, including time feel, meaningful interaction, melodic soloing, dynamic balance, and finding one’s individual sound. Through listening, transcribing, playing and discussion, the class brings awareness to that most fundamental component of music: the joy of creation!

Saturdays 11:45 am – 1:15 pm
JON ARKIN (10 weeks) $365

NEW CLASS!
Foundational Conga Drumming
The foundational conga drumming course is for students with little to no hand-
drumming experience who would like to develop the ability to produce great tones, learn about timing, and have fun with
syncopation and groove. Students are methodically introduced to essential hand-drumming techniques, and explore the roles of the different conga drums in the context of traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms. Prerequisites: No experience necessary!
Open to all!

Thursdays 4:45 – 6:15 pm
clifford brooks (10 weeks) $365

Clifford Brooks is the author of Rumba Afro-Cuban Conga Drum Improvisation Vol. 1 and 2, published by Mel Bay. Learn more at www.afrocubanchops.com

Afro-Venezuelan Percussion

This hands-on class is designed to introduce intermediate and advanced level percussion students to several Afro-Venezuelan styles of music with an emphasis on playing and singing simultaneously. Students are exposed to authentic Venezuelan drums such as cumaco and campana as well as a variety of hand percussion instruments such as the maracas, guira and charrasca. Various techniques of improvisation are addressed to emphasize the high level of syncopation characteristic to this style of music. Rhythmic styles specific to Venezuelan music such as “Quitiplas” (bamboo ensemble), Fulia drums (ceremonial drums) and Golpe de Tambor (dancing drums) are covered and traditional Venezuelan percussion instruments are used in class.

Prerequisite: for intermediate to advanced-level percussionists: Consultation with instructor required.

Tuesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
JACKELINE RAGO (10 weeks) $225

Balkan and Romani (“Gypsy”) Rhythms

Learn to groove in the irresistible odd-meters of the Balkans. From lilting Macedonian 7/8s to sultry Turkish 9/8s, to driving Bulgarian “Wedding-Style” 11/16s and 15/16s, these rhythms are gaining global popularity as performed by artists including Bulgaria’s Ivo Papasov, Serbia’s Boban Markovic and Goran Bregovic, and Turkey’s Burhan Ocal.

Prerequisite: none.

Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
RUMEN SALI SHOPOV (10 weeks) $365

Rumen “Sali” Shopov is a master Turkish-Romani drummer, singer, and string-player from Goce Delchev, Bulgaria, a crossroads town in the Pirin Mountain region that hosts a rich intersection of Bulgarian, Macedonian, Greek, and Turkish musical influences. Rumen has toured internationally with the Nevrokopski Folk Ensemble, Edessa, Ziyia, Kitka, and Yuri Yunakov and his Romani Wedding Band. A charismatic and patient teacher, Rumen has taught at the Eastern European Folklife Center’s Balkan Music and Dance Camp, Kosmos World Music and Dance Camp, World Camp, Stockton Camp, Balkanalia, and at universities and cultural centers throughout the US and Canada.

New Class!
Samba Pagode Ensemble

Pagode is Samba of the backyard barbecue variety. When you visit Rio de Janeiro you’ll hear this music on the radio and in the streets and in clubs and bars. Samba Pagode can be played in small venues with just a few people, a cavaquinho, tan-tan, pandeiro, guitar and voice is all you need. We’ll learn the conventions of the style, techniques on the instruments, and be able to perform 5 or 6 of these infectious songs in a traditional way. Prerequisites: All students in the class are expected to sing some of the choruses and/or sing the lead. Trained voices are not required. Guitarists must have some experience playing Samba, and reading chord symbols. Cavaquinho players must be able to read chord symbols. Pandeiro players must be able to play the basic Samba pattern.
Required materials: Your instrument. Some percussion instruments will be available at classes if needed.

Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
BRIAN RICE (10 weeks) $365

Pandeiro and MORE!

The pandeiro (Brazilian tambourine) is an increasingly popular instrument across the globe because of its sophistication and versatility. The pandeiro is a mainstay of many traditional types of Brazilian music, and thanks to innovators like Marcos Suzano the instrument has crossed into other genres as well. Focus is placed on developing good technique on the instrument and getting a good feel for many traditional Brazilian rhythms. Class also addresses funk and odd-time signatures.

Prerequisites: Familiarity with some Brazilian rhythms. Students must bring a pandeiro to class.

Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm
BRIAN RICE (10 weeks) $365

Related Workshops

Soukous Rhythm And Phrasing for Drum Set

This workshop focuses on the rhythmic structure and phrasing of Congolese rumba, known as Soukous. These are some of the most infectious grooves on the planet! Learn soukous clave, the basics for drum set, and the structures of the lines that go on top of the beat. This rhythmic repertoire can translate to funk, jazz, pop, dance music or anywhere you want to take it.

Sunday April 11
11:45 am – 1:45 pm
DALE FANNING
$30 Jazzschool students/$45 others


Instructor Dale Fanning is a founding member of the Living Daylights, and has worked extensively with the Robert Walter Trio and many others.

Cuban Music Workshop: The Tres and Minor Percussion
Come meet the Cuban Tres and get a taste of the minor percussion instruments associated with Afro-Cuban rhythms.
The Cuban Tres is a guitar-like instrument with three double strings (six in all). It plays a key role in the Cuban ”son,” the heartbeat of salsa. The minor percussion instruments include the maracas, guiro (gourd scraper) and clave sticks. Learn how these instruments weave together to create the rich polyrhythms of Afro-Cuban music. There will be an explanation and hands-on demonstration of the Cuban Tres, as well as a demonstration of the techniques used in playing clave rhythms, maracas and guiro. Time permitting: a descarga or jam session, with all of the instruments. This workshop is open to all musicians.


Sunday April 11
2 – 4 pm
tito rodriquez
$30 Jazzschool students/$45 others

Odd Meter Workshop for Drum Set Players
Topics covered include: subdividing basic odd meters (5, 7, 9) into their simplest components, retaining a groove feel within odd meter contexts, listening to and analyzing examples of jazz tunes that have odd meter arrangements, and exercises to build limb independence techniques in odd meters. Open to all levels!

Sunday April 11
11:45 am – 1:45 pm
sameer gupta
$30 Jazzschool Students/$45 others

Sameer Gupta is a member of the acclaimed New York-based Marc Cary Trio, and is also a founding member of the Supplicants.