B.Ed. Music (York U)
B.A. (University of Guelph)
Rob is a drummer and composer, specializing in jazz, free music, R&B, funk and folk music. He has composed for and recorded with the likes of Bolete, Emily & the Mainlanders, Vulpis Vulpis, Sam Keshen and the Vybe Tribe. He is currently completing York University’s Bachelor of Education program, after which he will be a certified high school music teacher.
Rob’s approach to teaching uses the interests of his students as media for learning musical concepts and techniques. Together, he and his students extract lessons from a list of songs and genres that the student puts together. Rob develops his students’ “ear” for aural learning as well as their ability learn from written notation. Composition and improvisation are ongoing focuses of his teaching.
Get to know a TEACHER…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: exercising, reading
Musical influences: ?Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, River Tiber, Miles Davis, John Mayer, D’Angelo
Favourite food: ?Chinese
Least favourite food: ?Sardines!
Favourite music: ?R&B
Favourite song: ?Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
Favourite movie: ? Zoolander
Favourite movie music: The Garden State soundtrack is top notch.
Favourite musical theatre/opera: I have yet to find one I like!
Best quote from your teacher: “Thinking is for practicing, not performing.”
Favourite quote: ?”Only the Sith deal in absolutes.” – Obi Wan
Favourite book: ?The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn
Latest Homework from Robert
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MAY 8-14 HOMEWORK
Hey friends,
Don’t forget to bring your practise logs to every lesson. This week, I want you all to include time for “free play” in your practising. This is time to just have pure fun on the drums. Do what ever you’d like! Some things I like to do for free play when I’m practising are create new drum beats or play along to songs I like. Please include free play in your practise logs if it is something you did that day.
Rob
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Kaden
Same homework as last week.
Mateo
Same homework as last week except instead of playing along to the Spongebob song, play along to a metronome (which can be slower than the Spongebob song). Put the metronome to 70 bpm (beats per minute). Count the clicks with “1 and 2 and”. Each click is a note – 1 (click), and (click), 2 (click), and (click). When you can play the patterns at that speed, put the metronome to 75 bpm and do it again. When you can do that, play the patterns at 80 bpm. Keep getting faster until you get to 100.
Ella
Same homework as last week except try to play as fast as you can with the metronome. I want to know the exact bpm number that is your fastest.
Sylvie
Same homework as last week except play the “1 and 2 and” pattern along to a metronome starting at 70 bpm. Count the clicks with “1 and 2 and”. Each click is a note – 1 (click), and (click), 2 (click), and (click). When you can play the patterns at that speed, put the metronome to 75 bpm and do it again. When you can do that, play the patterns at 80 bpm. Keep getting faster until you get to 100.
MAY 2-7 HOMEWORK
Hey everyone,
Don’t forget to fill out your homework log. Happy practising.
Rob
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Kaden
In our lesson, we talked about prioritizing playing in time with the recording/band, even if it’s flawed. The worst thing you can do is be out of sync with whoever or whatever you’re playing with. There is one good way to play in time consistently: listen. Listen really hard. In a group setting, your playing is not as important to listening because your best playing can only come from listening. If you can’t listen because you can’t hear what other people (or the recording) are playing, you need to play quieter. Playing quiet is harder than playing loud – I know, so let’s start working on it now.
Basic Beats 5 – 7 (Play along to All Time Low by Jon Bellion)
- At first, play along to “Gravity” by John Mayer; the hi-hat in the recording is playing triplets.
- As you get better, play along to a faster tune: “Texas Flood” by Stevie Rae Vaughan.
- This will help you to get started with playing jazz. Triplets are essential to jazz.
- The blue text is what you should count as you play.
- Play the bass drum on every quarter note, even though it’s not written on the page.
- Play the hi-hat with your foot on beats “2” and “4”.
- You can play which ever drum (or drums) you want with your hands.
- Pattern 1: These are called 8th-note triplets. Alternate your sticking (R-L-R-L, etc.).
- Pattern 2: Right hand only, but tap the rests on your thigh with your left hand.
- Pattern 3: Sounds the same as Pattern 2, but written as quarter-note triplets (two 8th notes = 1 quarter note, so two 8th-note triplets = 1 quarter note triplet).
- Pattern 4: Right hand only.
- Pattern 5: The green letters below the notes indicate the sticking (left hand/right hand)
Mateo
If your mom has any questions about renting a drum kit, she should call the school. They would be happy to help and answer any questions. You must have a drum kit to practise on. A lot of the progress we make in lessons is lost if you don’t practise for a whole week.
“1, 2” Pattern
- Play along to this:
- Count “1, 2” out loud. You should be counting at the same speed that they sing “Sponge-bob-square-pants!” (count “1” on “sponge” and “square,” and “2” on “bob” and “pants”. Be sure not to only count during that section of the song; you should be counting throughout.
“1 + 2 +” (1 and 2 and) Pattern
- When you see a plus sign (+), it just means “and”.
- Count “1 + 2 +” out loud.
- Play the hi-hat on everything (1, and, 2, and).
- When you’re ready, add the bass drum on beat 1.
- When you’re ready, add the snare drum on beat 2.
Ella
Activity 1:
Play all Basic Beats along to Hotel California.
Activity 2:
This exercise will give you the hand speed you need to play Hotel California comfortably and confidently. Using the finger technique, play one bar (four beats) of 16th notes on the hi-hat with your right hand followed by one bar of quarter notes. Once you have mastered this, play two bars of 16th notes followed by two bars of quarter notes. Then do four bars each.
Play along to a metronome at 55 bpm (beats per minute). If you don’t have a metronome, you can use this online one. Remember: the metronome is clicking the quarter notes and there are four 16th notes in a quarter note, so you must play four 16th notes every click. Once you’re comfortable playing at 55 bpm, move up to 60. Once you’re comfortable at 60, move up to 65. Then 70. Then 75. Don’t go higher than that.
Activity 3:
Play along to the recording of Hotel California. You don’t need to play it exactly like they do. You don’t have to do drum fills or hit the crash cymbal if you don’t want to, but at least play the main beat.
Sylvie
Great job on keeping the hi-hat closed with your left foot!
Remember to only move your wrists when you hit the drums. When playing the bass drum, always keep your foot on the pedal and bend your ankle when you want to hit it. Only move your ankle – not your whole leg
Activity 1: “1 + 2 +” (1 and 2 and) Pattern
- When you see a plus sign (+), it just means “and”.
- Count “1 + 2 +” out loud.
- Play the hi-hat on everything (1, and, 2, and).
- When you’re ready, add the bass drum on beat 1.
- When you’re ready, add the snare drum on beat 2.
Activity 2: Single and Double Stroke Rolls
- Practice your single stroke and double stroke rolls. Play along to a metronome. See how fast you can get them!
April 24 Lesson
Hey friends,
Unfortunately we didn’t get anything together to perform at this session’s recital, but come on by this Sunday from noon to 3:00 at 225 Geary Avenue to see some of the other students play. Attendance for all students is mandatory. I’ll be there! More information can be found at https://music-lessons.ca/2018-spring-recital-summer-fall-registration-and-more/. Happy practicing.
-Rob
Kaden
Your homework is the same as last week’s.
Mateo
Your homework is the same as last week’s.
Ella
Practice time: 30 min/day
- Basic Beats 5-7
- Play 16th notes on the hi-hat with your right hand along to a metronome at 55 bpm (beats per minute). Remember: the metronome is clicking the quarter notes and there are four 16th notes in a quarter note, so you must play four 16th notes every click. Once you’re comfortable playing at 55 bpm, move up to 60. Once you’re comfortable at 60, move up to 65. Then 70. Then 75. Don’t go higher than that. This exercise will give you the hand speed you need to play Hotel California comfortably and confidently.
- Play along to the recording of Hotel California. You don’t need to play it exactly like they do. You don’t have to do drum fills or hit the crash cymbal if you don’t want to, but at least play the main beat.
Sylvie
Your homework is the same as last week’s except I also want you to practice double strokes.
Practice them along to a metronome – just like the single strokes except you’ll need to hit the drum 2 times when you hear a click. Start with the metronome at 60 and then increase the speed (like last week).
April 17 Lesson
Hey everyone,
David will be teaching lessons again this Tuesday, but I’ll be back the week after. Miss you!
Rob
Kaden
Practice time: 45 min/day
Basic Beats 5 – 7 (Play along to All Time Low by Jon Bellion)
- This will help you with Seven Nation Army.
- The blue text is what you should count as you play.
- Play the bass drum on every quarter note, even though it’s not written on the page.
- Pattern 1: These are called 8th-note triplets. Alternate your sticking (R-L-R-L, etc.).
- Pattern 2: Right hand only, but tap the rests on your thigh with your left hand.
- Pattern 3: Sounds the same as Pattern 2, but written as quarter-note triplets (two 8th notes = 1 quarter note, so two 8th-note triplets = 1 quarter note triplet).
- Pattern 4: Right hand only.
- Pattern 5: The green letters below the notes indicate the sticking.
Mateo
Practice time: 20 min/day
The following exercises should be played along to:
Count “1, 2” out loud. You should be counting at the same speed that they sing “Sponge-bob-square-pants!” (count “1” on “sponge” and “square,” and “2” on “bob” and “pants”. Be sure not to only count during that section of the song; you should be counting throughout.
Exercises
- Play the hi-hats with your left hand each time you say a number.
- Then, only play the hi-hats and bass drum as you say “1”.
- Then, only play the hi-hats and snare drum as you say “2”.
- Then, play the hi-hats and bass drum on “1,” AND the hi-hats and snare drum on “2”.
Ella
Practice time: 30 min/day
While playing along to Hotel California, practice:
- Basic Beats 5-7
- 3 bars of the main beat, followed by a fill of your choosing in the 4th bar. Repeat without stopping. Try different fills.
- With your right hand on the hi-hat, play 4 bars of 16th notes (1 e + a, 2 e + a, 3 e + a, 4 e + a) followed by 4 bars of quarter notes. Repeat.
Sylvie
Practice: 20 min/day
Single-Stroke Roll
- Practice the single-stroke roll with a metronome. Each time you hear a click, you should hit the drum. If you don’t have a metronome, you can use this online one.
- The number tells you how fast the clicks are. I want you to start at 90 and once you feel comfortable playing the roll at that speed, go to 95. Keep going up by 5 until you can’t play any faster.
“1, 2” beat
- Count “1, 2” out loud.
- Play the hi-hat with your right hand each time you say a number.
- When you’re comfortable with only playing the hi-hat, add in the bass drum as you say “1”.
- When you feel comfortable playing the hi-hat and bass drum, also add in the snare drum as you say “2”.
April 10 Lesson
Hey everyone!
For those of you new to my homework posts, you should know that I include every student’s homework in each post. Unfortunately, our posting system does not allow for only individual homework to be sent. Each student’s homework has its own section in the post and will be labelled by name.
Xyler
Practice time: 30 min/day
Practice Overview:
- Memorize names of drums
- Exercise 1: R L
- Exercise 2: L R
- Exercise 3: Feet
Memorize the names of the drums – 5 minutes
Warm-up – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun!
Exercise 1 – 5 minutes
- Count “1, 2, 3, 4” out loud. Continue to count throughout the rest of the exercises.
- On the snare drum, play R (right hand), L (left hand), R, L, R, L, etc. Play each note at the same time you say a number.
- Then, do the same thing but on the closed hi-hats (push the pedal down with your left foot).
- Then, do the same thing on each tom-tom and the floor tom.
Exercise 2 – 5 minutes
- Repeat Exercise 1, but starting with the left hand (L, R, L, R, etc.).
Break – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun.
Exercise 3 – 5 minutes
- Count “1, 2, 3, 4” out loud.
- Play the bass drum on each number.
- Then, play the hi-hats (with your foot) on each number.
- Then, play the bass drum on numbers “1” and “3” and the hi-hats (with your foot) on “2” and “4”.
Kaden
Practice time: 45 min/day
Practice Overview:
- Exercise 1: Basic Beats (slow)
- Exercise 2: Basic Beats (medium or fast)
- Exercise 3: Accented triplets
- Exercise 4: Seven Nation Army
Warm-up – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun!
Exercise 1 – 10 minutes
- While playing along to SLOW music you like, go through the “Basic Beats” sheet I gave you.
- Don’t move from one pattern to another without having mastered the first. By “mastering” a pattern, I mean being able to play it 4 times in a row without (1) making a mistake and (2) looking at the sheet.
Exercise 2 – 10 minutes
- Repeat Exercise 1 but while playing along to MEDIUM-tempo or FAST music you like.
Break – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun.
Exercise 3 – 5 minutes
- On your snare drum, play the triplet rhythm I wrote on the back of the “Basic Beats” sheet.
- Remember: the circled notes are accented (play them louder than the others).
- Alternate your sticking (RLR LRL RLR LRL, etc.) instead of playing all the notes with just one hand.
Exercise 4 – 10 min
- Play along to Seven Nation Army. Listen to yourself very carefully to see if you “flip” the beat (play the snare drum on “1” and “3” instead of “2” and “4”). If this happens, you can correct yourself by only playing the hi-hats and then coming back in with the rest of the drums when you have figured out the correct counting.
Mateo
Practice time: 30 min/day
Practice Overview:
- Exercise 1: RL hi-hats
- Exercise 2: Hi-hats + bass drum
- Exercise 3: “1, 2” beat
Warm-up – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun!
Exercise 1 – 5 minutes
- Count “1, 2” out loud. Keep it going.
- On the closed hi-hats (you close them by keeping your left foot pushed down on the pedal), play R (right hand), L (left hand), R, L, R, L, etc. Keep it going.
- Do it again, but start with your left hand (L, R, L, R, etc.). Keep it going.
Exercise 2 – 5 minutes
- Count “1, 2” out loud.
- On the closed hi-hats, play R, L, R, L, etc.
- At the same time, play the bass drum every time you play the hi-hats.
- Try it again, but this time, don’t use your right hand. Play L, L, L, L, etc. on the hi-hats
Break – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun.
Exercise 3 – 10 minutes
- Count “1, 2” out loud.
- Play the hi-hats with your left hand each time you say a number.
- Then, only play the hi-hats and bass drum as you say “1”.
- Then, only play the hi-hats and snare drum as you say “2”.
- Then, play the hi-hats and bass drum on “1,” AND the hi-hats and snare drum on “2”.
Ella
Practice time: 30 min/day
Practice Overview
- Exercise 1: Basic Beats
- Exercise 2: Hotel California
Warm-up – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun!
Exercise 1 – 10 minutes
- While playing along to music you like, go through the “Basic Beats” sheet I gave you.
- Don’t move from one pattern to another without having mastered the first. By “mastering” a pattern, I mean being able to play it 4 times in a row without (1) making a mistake and (2) looking at the sheet.
Break – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun.
Exercise 2 – 10 minutes
- Practice the main beat to Hotel California while playing along to the recording.
- You don’t have to do fills if you don’t want to.
Sylvie
Practice time: 30 min/day
Practice Overview:
- Memorize names of drums
- Exercise 1: R L
- Exercise 2: L R
- Exercise 3: Feet
Memorize the names of the drums – 5 minutes
Warm-up – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun!
Exercise 1 – 5 minutes
- Count “1, 2, 3, 4” out loud. Continue to count throughout the rest of the exercises.
- On the snare drum, play R (right hand), L (left hand), R, L, R, L, etc. Play each note at the same time you say a number.
- Then, do the same thing but on the closed hi-hats (push the pedal down with your left foot).
- Then, do the same thing on each tom-tom and the floor tom.
Exercise 2 – 5 minutes
- Repeat Exercise 1, but starting with the left hand (L, R, L, R, etc.).
Break – 5 minutes
- Do what you want on the drums. Have fun.
Exercise 3 – 5 minutes
- Count “1, 2, 3, 4” out loud.
- Play the bass drum on each number.
- Then, play the hi-hats (with your foot) on each number.
- Then, play the bass drum on numbers “1” and “3” and the hi-hats (with your foot) on “2” and “4”.
April 3 Lessons
Hey everyone,
- This will be the last week that I make homework posts using Sam’s account. If you haven’t already subscribed to my posts, please do so here.
- Don’t forget to buy ear protection.
See you at our next lesson :).
Rob
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Mateo
- Practice time: 30 minutes/day
- Exercises: The “1, 2” beat AND the “1 & 2 &” beat
Warm-up (5 minutes): Have fun / just play around on the drums
Exercise 1 (10 minutes): The “1, 2” beat
Note: The following steps are cumulative. As you move on to new steps, do not stop what you were doing before.
- Start by counting “1, 2” over and over again.
- Play the hi-hats on every number. Make sure that the hi-hats are closed (touching each other) by holding down the left foot pedal.
- Play the bass drum every time you say “1”.
- Play the snare drum on every time you say “2”.
Break (5 minutes): Have fun / just play around on the drums
Exercise 2 (10 minutes): The “1 & 2 &” beat
Note: The steps are still cumulative.
- Start by counting “1 & 2 &” over and over again.
- Play the hi-hats on every number and every “&”. Make sure that the hi-hats are closed.
- Play the bass drum every time you say “1”.
- Play the snare drum every time you say “2”
April 5 Lessons
Hey everyone,
This will be the last week that I make homework posts using Sam’s account. If you haven’t already subscribed to my posts, please do so here.
See you at our next lesson :).
Rob
_________________________________
Ezra
Practice time: 30 min/day
Exercises
- Basic Beats – slow
- Basic Beats – medium
Warm up (5 min): Do what ever you want on the drums. Have fun!
Exercise 1 (10 min): Basic Beats – slow
- Starting with Beat 1 and moving to Beat 9, play each Beat slowly
- Don’t move on to the next Beat until you have played the current Beat several times in a row perfectly
Break (5 mins): Do what ever you want on the drums. Have fun.
Exercise 2 (10 min): Basic Beats – medium
- Starting with Beat 1 and moving to Beat 9, play each Beat at a medium speed
- Don’t move on to the next Beat until you have played the current Beat several times in a row perfectly
Elora
Practice time: 30 min/day
Exercises:
- Basic Beats 1-4
- Basic Beats 5-9
Warm up (5 min): Do what ever you want on the drums. Have fun!
Exercise 1 (10 min): Basic Beats 1-4
- Starting with Beat 1 and moving to Beat 4, play each Beat slowly.
- If you are unable to play a Beat perfectly right away, here are steps to “building” a Beat. Note: The steps are cumulative; as you move on to new steps, do not stop what you were doing before.
- Start by counting “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &” over and over again.
- Play the hi-hats on every number and “&”. Make sure that the hi-hats are closed (touching each other) by holding down the left foot pedal.
- Play the bass drum every time you say “1”.
- Play the bass drum every time you say “3”
- Play the snare drum every time you say “2”.
- Play the snare drum every time you say “4”.
- Play the written Beat.
Break (5 mins): Do what ever you want on the drums. Have fun.
Exercise 2 (10 min): Basic Beats 5-9
- Starting with Beat 5 and moving to Beat 9, play each Beat slowly.
- If you are unable to play a Beat perfectly right away, use the “building a Beat” method.
Isobel and Ewan
Practice time: 30 min/day
Exercises:
- Basic Beats 1-4
- Basic Beats 5-9
Warm up (5 min): Do what ever you want on the drums. Have fun!
Exercise 1 (10 min): Basic Beats 1-4
- Starting with Beat 1 and moving to Beat 4, play each Beat slowly.
- If you are unable to play a Beat perfectly right away, here are steps to “building” a Beat. Note: The steps are cumulative; as you move on to new steps, do not stop what you were doing before.
- Start by counting “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &” over and over again.
- Play the hi-hats on every number and “&”. Make sure that the hi-hats are closed (touching each other) by holding down the left foot pedal.
- Play the bass drum every time you say “1”.
- Play the bass drum every time you say “3”
- Play the snare drum every time you say “2”.
- Play the snare drum every time you say “4”.
- Play the written Beat.
Break (5 mins): Do what ever you want on the drums. Have fun.
Exercise 2 (10 min): Basic Beats 5-9
- Starting with Beat 5 and moving to Beat 9, play each Beat slowly.
- If you are unable to play a Beat perfectly right away, use the “building a Beat” method.
March 29 Lessons
Hi everyone! It was lovely to meet you all on Thursday.
I forgot to mention that if you regularly play an acoustic drum kit, you should be wearing ear protection when you play. Regular exposure to harsh noises from drums or other loud music can damage your hearing (https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/have-you-heard/musicians-face-higher-risk-of-hearing-loss).
Lots of our practicing will be playing along to recordings or to a metronome. There are a few ways of doing this while still protecting your ears:
*If you practice on an acoustic drum kit at home*: If you have electronic headphones that cover your whole ear and fit snuggly on your head, plug them into your device and you’re good to go. If you don’t have protective headphones and don’t want to buy expensive electronic ones, I would like you to buy “isolation headphones” and earbuds. After putting in your earbuds, put the isolation headphones over them. This double-layering creates the same effect as electronic headphones. Note: Rubber-/silicone-tipped earbuds fit better in headphones. Isolation headphones can be bought at most instrument stores.
*If you practice on an electric drum kit at home*: Plug your device into your kit using an auxiliary audio cable and your headphones should play back the drum sounds and the music. The auxiliary cable can be bought at Walmart, Best Buy, music stores, electronics stores and elsewhere.
___________________________
Elora
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Practice “horse” rhythm. Sticking: R R-L, R R-L, etc… Try it on your snare drum, hi-hats (closed) and toms. Here is a link to a recording of it: https://www.dropbox.com/s/llzyu0qf0di57r2/Horse%20rhythm.m4a?dl=0.
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Practice the open hi-hat technique you were working on with Sam.
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Practice the 16th-note drum beat you were working on with Sam.
30 min/day
Isobel
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Keep practicing the double kick drum “heel-toe” foot technique. Remember to keep the bass drum beater pressed against the bass drum head on the toe hit (not the heel hit).
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Practice the “simple drum beat” (count 1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and).
30 min/day
Ewan
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Practice the single-stroke roll starting with right hand, and then your left hand (2 minutes each). Try to look away from your hands or close your eyes as you play.
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Have fun! Just play around. Get comfortable playing the different drums and knowing which drums make which sounds.
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Learn the names of the drums (refer to the attached diagram)
20 min/day
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