The Associate of Arts in Performance (Percussion) program includes a combination of general and instrument-specific courses designed to produce skilled, knowledgeable, stylistically and technologically versatile contemporary drummers. Courses are described below (see course catalog for specific course descriptions and other information). Combined with regular seminars, clinics, and small open counseling sessions with internationally-known drummers, the AA-Percussion program provides the world's premier contemporary drumming educational experience.
PERCUSSION CORE
Playing Techniques I
Covers the development of hand technique and essential rudiments for proper drum set performance.
Playing Techniques II
Concentrates on effective timekeeping, development of speed and dexterity, economy of motion, body balance and eliminating bad habits, the application of drum set rudiments, interpretation and performance of snare drum solos.
Playing Techniques III
Class focuses on more advanced rudiments and their application to the drum set in a variety of musical styles as well as 4-way coordination, odd meter studies, advanced snare drum solos and drum set solo transcriptions.
Rhythm Section Workshop I
An introduction to ensemble performance. Concentration is placed on listening, dynamics, awareness of song form, and basic chart reading as well as practical performing techniques such as giving and following cues, instrument setup, sound, and stage presence. Students develop fundamental technical approaches to a variety of popular styles through weekly live performance.
Rhythm Section Workshop II
Ensemble performance emphasizing stylistic rhythm section textures and applied techniques. Emphasis is also placed on handling variations in typical song form, improving chart reading skills, and taking a leadership role within the group.
Ensemble Techniques
Course deals with common techniques used by drummers in small and large group performance. The focus is on reading and execution of written rhythmic phrases in jazz, rock and Latin styles including section and ensemble figures, chart terminology and form, phrasing and stylistic interpretation, soloing concepts and solo fills.
Music Minus One Performance
Drummers play to sequenced tracks of popular songs minus drums. The emphasis is on "locking in" with the track; some chart reading is involved.
Digital Drumming
This comprehensive course is designed to equip drummers to utilize contemporary technology by providing a working knowledge of MIDI sequencing, digital audio recording software, drum loop creation and application, custom sample creation, acoustic drum triggering and designing-creating-wiring an electronic rig for live use. Students also learn to perform with loops and backing tracks, how to complement tracks with their playing and how to adjust their time feel in order to “lock in”.
Advanced Drumming I: Jazz
This class explores and demonstrates the historical, stylistic and technical evolution of jazz from Dixieland to Bebop and beyond. Techniques include ride patterns and left hand comping, basic independence and coordination, brush technique, and ensemble interaction. In the second half, the focus shifts to group interaction, jazz soloing on various song forms, up-tempo swing concepts, cymbal turnarounds, 3/4 time, advanced independence and 4-way jazz coordination.
Advanced Drumming II: Latin
Class develops authentic stylistic hand and foot techniques through listening, demonstration and classroom practice. The first half focuses on popular Brazilian styles including Bossa Nova and Samba. In part two, the emphasis is on Afro-Cuban styles including Cha Cha, Mambo, Mozambique and others.
Developing Your Groove
The goal of this course is to help drummers dramatically improve their time, feel, independence and sound. Coordination drills that apply to all styles of music are introduced and utilized in class.
Contemporary Drum Concepts
Learn the attitude and technique of rock drumming through listening examples and transcriptions that expose students to drummers who have made important contributions to the style. Techniques include warm-ups, motion exercises and single and double bass drum studies. The second half focuses on the continued development of performance skills including groove development, soloing concepts, more advanced single and double bass drum application and sound production.
Odd Meter
Students develop facility with odd-meter rhythmic phrases applied to the drum set and hand drums. Rhythmic phrasing drills utilizing composite meters and a five-step approach consisting of technique, time, time feel, phrasing, and song form prepare students for applications in all styles of contemporary drumming.
Studio Drumming
This “real world” approach to recording covers all facets of the recording performance experience for drummers whether they work in original bands or as independent studio musicians. Students perform in a variety of musical situations in a 24-track Pro Tools studio, developing drum parts, sightreading charts, performing with backing tracks and live musicians, overdubbing and punching in, and learning to lock in with loops and tracks. Studio etiquette, sound development and tuning tips are also covered. Each student compiles a CD of their final performances.
Reading I
Fundamentals of single line and drum set reading. Students learn basic rhythmic theory, develop sight reading skills and interpretation of essential rhythmic figures.
Reading II
The emphasis is on time signature reading studies, counting and subdivision exercises and applications as well as note value relationships. Also included is interpretation of rhythms in different styles, independence studies and chart reading. Reading IIB moves into compound time signatures, changing meters, value indicators and abnormal groupings.
Reading III
Class covers interpretation of sixteenth note figures, snare drum reading and etudes in changing meters, orchestral snare drum etudes, reading drum set charts with style and meter changes, and multi-tom reading in preparation for studio recording.
PERFORMANCE
Private Lessons
Weekly instrument lesson with an instructor who guides the student in developing technique, musicianship and style in support of core curricular goals. The instructor and student jointly determine a specific course of study depending on student needs, strengths and experience.
Live Playing Workshops
Students perform regularly throughout the program in their choice of styles and settings. Regularly scheduled* LPWs include:
Blues
Classic Rock
Country Rock
Modern Rock
Hard Rock
Metal
Classic R&B
Contemporary R&B
Freestyle Hip Hop
Funk
Fusion
Latin
Reggae
Traditional Jazz Ensemble
Student Choice (styles vary)
*LPW offerings vary by quarter; check current course schedule for availability
MUSICIANSHIP
Keyboard Lab
An introduction to the keyboard especially geared for the drummer. Covers note recognition, scales, intervals and chord construction at the keyboard as a visual and aural aid to required theory and ear training classes.
Harmony and Theory I
An introduction to Harmony and Theory as it applies to popular music. Includes the development of fundamental music notation skills, rhythms, major and minor scales, intervals, chords and diatonic harmony.
Ear Training I
An introduction to Ear Training as it applies to popular music. Covers the ability to recognize by ear major and minor scales, intervals, chord qualities, diatonic progressions, and rhythms in the context of examples drawn from contemporary popular music.
ELECTIVES
Each quarter, AA (Percussion) students may choose from an enormous variety of elective courses covering all major contemporary styles, techniques, and musical interests as well as general courses in songwriting, technology, music business and more (see course catalog for current offerings).
Current percussion-specific electives are listed below; topics and scheduling are subject to change and some require prerequisites. Check the current course offering for up-to-date information about courses offered during a specific quarter:
Early Masters of Studio Drumming: 1950s-80s
Latin Percussion – Brazilian
Timekeeping
How to Practice
Basic Caribbean Drumset
Fill Fest
Double Bass Drum Workout
Inside Studio Drumming
Drum Transcription and Rhythmic Eartraining
Chop Busters I
Chop Busters II
The Drummers of James Brown
Funk Drums - Classic
Funk Drums - Modern
Analysis of Great Grooves
Duets
Latin Percussion - Afro-Cuban
Drum Solo Analysis, Concepts and Performance
Latin/Funk Connection
Advanced Drum Concepts I
Advanced Drum Concepts II
Carter Beauford: Style and Analysis
Bebop and Beyond