Hi students and parents!

Although everyone is doing well, no one read the homework posts last week. So this week I would really like to ensure that this gets around to all students, so if you’re a parent reading this, please print out the relevant parts (or the whole thing) and give it to your child, or leave it on their snare drum so they see it when they sit down to practice!

Jacinto: This week, I need you to continue to practice playing an 8th note groove with your hands, and placing the bass drum in the 8 different spots on the 8th note grid (1, 2, 3, 4, + of 1, + of 2, + of 3, + of 4). Randomize the pattern. I will bring in some patterns for you to read next week, so if you can, brush up on your rhythm reading. I also need you to bring in a few songs that you would like to work on learning.

Asher: Next week, I want you to bring in a song that you’d like to learn on the drums. I believe we discussed Back in Black as a possibility. I would also like you to play your basic rock groove while holding the hihat tighter with your left foot, and striking the snare drum right in the centre with your left hand. That will create a “fuller” sound

Ezra: I would like you to take a listen to Amen Brother by The Winstons (https://youtu.be/GxZuq57_bYM) and The Funky Drummer by James Brown (https://youtu.be/dNP8tbDMZNE). You should also keep an eye on your hands to make sure your fulcrum is working (index finger and thumb – remember, the stick rolls around in the fulcrum, you don’t squeeze!), and your other fingers are not flying off the stick.

Chloe: We are singing vegetable names for different note values: “YAM, MUSHROOM, CELERY, CAULIFLOWER”, right? Please randomize the vegetable names and sing them while playing what you sing on your snare drum or practice pad.

Brad: Experiment with how the different parts of the stick (butt, shoulder, shaft, tip) sound on different areas of the cymbals and drums (bell, face, edge, centre, rim, etc.). We’ll start playing some beats next week!

ALL STUDENTS: Please acquire a copy of Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by Ted Reed. No big rush, but we will be working with this book! You can find it on my teacher page: https://music-lessons.ca/teachers/david-zada/