Faculty

Drum Set Technique for Beginners

In this introductory hands-on course for the absolute beginner, students learn basic drum set technique. The function of each of the various drums and cymbals and their application in jazz, Latin, rock and other contemporary styles of music is covered. Basic sticking techniques and patterns including the single and double stroke rolls, the paradiddle, and the drum "fill" are covered

Prerequisite: none. Students must own a pair of drumsticks! Class text: Learn to Play the Drumset, Hal Leonard Publishing (available in The Bassment)

Mondays 6:30 - 8 pm JOE BAGALE (10 weeks) $360

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 Bassment).

Mondays 8:15 - 9:45 pm JOE BAGALE (10 weeks) $360

This class explores the fundamentals of jazz drumming and the various aspects that relate to this style including coordination, improvisation and musicality. Instructor focuses on jazz time and feel. Class time is spent listening to a number of the great drummers and analyzing various approaches to jazz drumming technique and style

Prerequisite: Drum Set Technique for Beginners or equivalent.

Wednesdays 8:15 - 9:45 pm JEFF MARRS (10 weeks) $360

An essential prerequisite for any style of music, this hands-on class explores drumstick control based on the 26 rudiments including rolls and diddle rudiments and their application in contemporary drumming styles. Instructor shares technical secrets that give the best drummers of our time great facility, rhythmic ideas and musical flow, vital to a great performance. Students learn to combine sticking patterns, combination hands and other relevant technical information into a more personal, progressive and hip musical package. Students learn a piece based on the traditional performance practices of a drum line!

Prerequisite: intermediate facility on snare drum.

Wednesdays 6:30 - 8 pm CURT MOORE (10 weeks) $360

This class provides drum set players the opportunity to explore and develop skill in the Afro-Cuban style. Instructor covers many different styles and grooves related to this music including Afro 6/8, Bolero, Cha-Cha and Mambo. Students learn how to apply four-way coordination of the many rhythms related to Afro-Cuban drumming. Instructor covers the role of the drummer in the Latin rhythm section and includes material from his DVD Afro-Cuban Drumset: Grooves You Can Use .

Prerequisite: intermediate ability on drum set.

Wednesdays 4:45 - 6:15 pm CURT MOORE (10 weeks) $360

An in-depth look at linear drumming and its application to grooves and solos as exemplified by Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, David Garibaldi and others. All styles are examined. This class is designed for the intermediate to advanced drummer who is ready to be challenged!

Thursdays 8:45 - 10:15 pm ALAN HALL (10 weeks) $360

Drum fills generate excitement and anticipation and serve as musical exclamation points. This class covers techniques for playing musical fills without interrupting the time flow. 16th, straight 8th, and triplet subdivisions are covered.

First class meets April 20

Sundays 1 - 2:30 pm ALAN HALL (9 weeks) $325

Creative Coordination for the Performing Drummer (INT/ADV)

A progressive system of study in all phases of drum set performance. Class covers 4-way coordination exercises in a variety of styles from swing, to bossa, to funk and more.

Required Text: Creative Coordination for the Performing Drummer by Keith Copeland.

Saturdays 1:30 - 3 pm JOE BAGALE (10 weeks) $360

A hands-on workshop for beginning and intermediate students focusing on the study and performance of Afro-Cuban percussion. This class covers folkloric rhythms including Bantu and Rumba as well as rhythms for the Latin ensemble.

Prerequisite: none. Open to all!

Thursdays 6:30 - 8 pm DAVID FRAZIER (10 weeks) $360

This hands-on class is designed to introduce 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.

Consultation with instructor required.

Tuesdays 8:15 - 9:45 pm JACKELINE RAGO (10 weeks) $220

Regrettably, this class has been cancelled

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 like Bulgaria's Ivo Papasov, Serbia's Boban Markovic, and Goran Bregovic, and Turkey's Burhan Ocal. Rumen "Sali" Shopov is a master Turkish-Romani drummer, singer, and string-player from Goce Delche v, Bulgaria, a crossroads town in the Pirin Mountain region that hosts a rich intersection of Bulgarian, Macecdonian, 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, he 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

Prerequisite: none

Mondays 8:15 - 9:45 pm RUMEN SALI SHOPOV (10 weeks) $360

Drum Set Master Class with Rodney Holmes

For intermediate to advanced drum set players, students receive coaching from master groove drummer Rodney Holmes. Enrollment limited to 8 students!

Sunday May 11, 11:45 am - 1:45 pm RODNEY HOLMES $75