Hi everyone,
With the transition to ZOOM video lessons, I am no longer able to write down notes and musical material in the students’ books/binders. Instead, I have created PDF documents for each of you and dropped them into a Google Drive folder. The link to your documents is listed in the What to practice heading under your name below. You should be able to access the documents simply by clicking on the link. Here are your practice assignments for this week:
Will
Recommended minutes to practice: 20-30 minutes per day
What to practice: Practice everything that we have worked on so far from the song “Beggin’” and review the funk and R&B variations: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17pjkCZ1jfMdjwRqFBMaPIG_hKMb3gQGz?usp=sharing
How to practice it most effectively: When working on Beggin’, focus on keeping a steady speed throughout the whole song. Make sure that you can play the fast 16th notes on the hi-hat comfortably at whatever speed you choose. For the funk and R&B variations, strive for consistency before speed. Also, remember that when notes are tied together in the second R&B variation, you only play the first one.
Elliot
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 minutes per day
What to practice: Review the two-measure beats from “Lesson 5” and work on the application section: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10YGpSqgr9Z2SExyhXz7k1evG3C0t2VEc?usp=sharing
How to practice it most effectively: With the two-measure beats, work through them the same way as we have with the one-measure beats: count the bass and snare rhythm, then play this rhythm without the hi-hat, then add in the hi-hat pulse. You can also practice these beats one measure at a time at first. The most important thing is to understand how each note of the bass/snare rhythm relates to the hi-hat pulse. For the application section, work on each beat and fill individually before trying to put the whole thing together.
Damian
Recommended minutes to practice: 5-10 minutes per day
What to practice: Practice the two shuffle beats from the new page (regular and “half-time” shuffle): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jaROP8emrq7yGkV13Mt_Js4NVtEz-sCl?usp=sharing
How to practice it most effectively: Remember that the shuffle beats both have the same rhythm on the cymbal. Just like with the 12/8 beats, you have to count “1 2 3 1 2 3 …” as you play, but instead of playing on every number, you only play on the “1” and the “3” (the “2” should be silent). This shuffle rhythm is played on the cymbal while the bass drum and snare drum each play on “1” but at different times. Use the page I provided as a reference.
Nate
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20 minutes per day
What to practice: Practice the main beat and the chorus beat from “Swing Lynn” by Twin Cabins: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lsS6FvGAobS96Y5mFUDE_7L1HGfAK0_s?usp=sharing
How to practice it most effectively: This beat is fast, so it is important that you work on maintaining a fast speed comfortably. Remember what we worked on with the wrist and fingers: using the wrist to control the initial “down” stroke and then using the fingers to control the bounce (or the “up” stroke) and pull the stick back down to the drum. This way you get two hits on the drum from every one arm motion.
Noah
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 minutes per day
What to practice: Practice “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy with the song form that I have provided: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Dga1ZBRWaN_Ka4O1G009w-74c4VaZCj7?usp=sharing
How to practice it most effectively: Remember that one time through the main beat involves playing all four measures, so three times through the main beat is a full 12 measures. Also, listen closely to the recording of the song to make sure you know exactly when the beat drops out in different spots and for how long. Practice playing all the way through the song with the recording.
Koel
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 minutes per day
What to practice: Practice playing all the way through the Intro, Verse 1, Chorus, and Verse 2 of “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SCS8WVjfR1OZVlYmt8a1r2LTxo2NJOpN?usp=sharing
How to practice it most effectively: First practice playing through all three pages at your own speed. If there are spots that you have trouble with, focus on these places by slowing down and practicing them one bar or two bars at a time. Once you have done this, then try running through all three pages together with the recording. If you find that there are still trouble spots, slow down again and practice those spots on their own.
Sylvie
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20 minutes per day
What to practice: Practice the 16-bar exercise from “Lesson One” one line at a time: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KGeo9VGh3JOWzwpGhEe1DbXMRuQiG7lL?usp=sharing
How to practice it most effectively: Focus first and foremost on keeping the ride cymbal rhythm steady and consistent. As you read the rhythms and play them with your left hand, don’t let it affect what your right hand is doing. Practice the 16-bar exercise one line at a time. If you get stuck on one measure, practice that measure by itself. If you feel comfortable playing each line individually, then try putting them together.