Associate of Arts
The Associate of Arts in Performance (Drums) program includes a combination of general and instrument-specific courses designed to produce skilled, knowledgeable, stylistically and technologically versatile 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-Drum program provides the world's premier contemporary drumming educational experience.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Degree requirements vary by instrument and include some or all of the following courses. See each emphasis for details on specific requirements.
*Check out the catalog for descriptions which include course number, title, number of credit units per quarter (multiply by number of required quarters for total credit amount), and prerequisites (where applicable), description of content, and contact hours per week.
MAJOR AREA (All Instruments)
Private Lesson
Weekly instrument lesson with an instructor who guides you in developing technique, musicianship and style in support of core curricular goals. You and the instructor will custom-design a lesson plan specific to your needs, strengths and experience. One private lesson hour per week per quarter.
Live Performance Workshops 1-6
You perform regularly throughout the program in a variety of styles and settings. Minimum requirement of ten performances per quarter. One ensemble hour per week per quarter.
Blues
Classic Rock
Country Rock
Modern Rock
Hard Rock
Metal
Classic R&B
Punk
Contemporary R&B
Hip-Hop
Fusion
Funk
Reggae
Latin
Billboard Hot 100
*LPW offerings vary by quarter; check current course schedule for availability
MUSICIANSHIP (Requirements vary by instrument)
Keyboard Lab 1
An introduction to the keyboard especially designed for the drummer. Covers note recognition, scales, intervals and chord construction at the keyboard as a visual and aural aid for required Theory and Ear Training classes. One hour per week for one quarter.
Keyboard Lab 2
Chords, chord progressions and basic keyboard performance. One hour per week for two quarters.
Harmony and Theory 1
An introduction to harmony and theory as it applies to popular music. Includes the development of fundamental music notation skills for pitch and rhythm, major scales and key signatures, intervals and triads, and major scale harmonies. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Harmony and Theory 2
A continuation of the study of musical notation and diatonic structures including rhythmic values, time signatures, natural minor scales and key signatures, harmonized minor scales diatonic seventh chords and key centers. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Ear training 1
An introduction to Ear Training as it applies to popular music. Areas of focus include matching pitch, major scale melodies and melodic intervals in the context of examples drawn from contemporary popular music. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Ear Training 2
Topics include meter and rhythm, eighth-note phrases, sight-singing, transcribing melody and rhythm on the staff, harmonic intervals, triad qualities and diatonic major chord progressions. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Ear Training 3
Concentrates on the recognition and transcription of diatonic minor-key melodies and chord progressions as applied to contemporary, popular music. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Ear Training 4
Concentrates on the recognition and transcription of diatonic major and minor melody and harmony, and rhythmic figures including sixteenth notes. Includes specific examples drawn from contemporary popular music. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Ear Training 5
Recognition and transcription of non-diatonic melody and harmony, rhythmic figures based on triplets, and compound time signatures. Concepts are related directly to their application in contemporary popular music. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Ear Training 6
Applied transcription skills, including chart notation, rhythm charts, and lead sheets. Concepts are related directly to their application in contemporary popular music. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
MAJOR AREA
Private Lesson
Twelve credit units required (two per quarter). See “General Requirements” for course descriptions.
Live Performance Workshops 1-6
Six credit units required (one per quarter). See “General Requirements” for course descriptions.
Playing Techniques 1
Introduction to hand technique and essential rudiments. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Playing Techniques 2
Continuation of Playing Techniques 1 with an emphasis on developing dynamic control. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Playing Techniques 3
Concentrates on effective timekeeping, development of speed and dexterity, economy of motion, body balance and eliminating bad habits as well as the application of drum set rudiments. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Playing Techniques 4
Emphasizes interpretation and performance of snare drum solos and development of four-way independence. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Playing Techniques 5
Class focuses on more advanced rudiments and their application to the drum set in a variety of musical styles as well as advanced snare drum solos and drum set solo transcriptions. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Playing Techniques 6
Concepts and techniques learned in Playing Techniques 1-5 culminate in your performances of original snare etudes and drum set etudes. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Rhythm Section Workshop 1
You develop fundamental technical approaches to a variety of popular styles through weekly live performance. Concentration is placed on listening, dynamics, awareness of song form, basic chart reading, instrument setup and sound. Two lecture-ensemble hours per week for one quarter.
Rhythm Section Workshop 2
Continuation of ensemble performing experience including intermediate-level chart reading as well as further development of practical performing techniques such as giving and following cues, instrument setup, sound and stage presence. Two lecture-ensemble hours per week for one quarter.
Rhythm Section Workshop 3
Ensemble performance emphasizing stylistic rhythm section textures and applied techniques. Emphasis is placed on handling variations in typical song form, improving chart-reading skills and taking a leadership role within the group. Two lecture/ensemble hours per week for one quarter.
Rhythm Section Workshop 4
Ensemble performance emphasizing applied techniques and advanced concepts such as odd meters and metric modulation. Emphasis is also placed on handling variations in typical song form, improving chart reading skills and developing time feel. Two lecture/ensemble hours per week for one quarter.
Ensemble Techniques 1
Course deals with common techniques used by drummers in small and large-group performance. The focus is on reading and executing written rhythmic phrases in jazz and rock styles, including section and ensemble figures. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Ensemble Techniques 2
Continued development of performance techniques with emphasis on execution of written rhythmic phrases in jazz, rock, funk, Latin and odd-meter styles, including section and ensemble figures, chart terminology and form, phrasing and stylistic interpretation, soloing concepts and solo fills. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Music Minus One Performance 1
Drummers play to sequenced tracks of popular songs minus drums. The emphasis is on “locking in” with the track; includes beginning level chart reading. One ensemble hour per week for one quarter.
Music Minus One Performance 2
Stylistic performance expands from pop and jazz to include Latin and reggae styles as well as soloing. Includes intermediate-level chart reading. One ensemble hour per week for one quarter.
Digital Drumming 1
This comprehensive course is designed to equip you to utilize contemporary technology by providing a working knowledge of MIDI sequencing, digital audio recording software, drum loop creation and application, and custom sample creation. You also learn to perform with loops and backing tracks. Two lecture hours and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Digital Drumming 2
Further training in MIDI sequencing, digital audio recording, sample creation and drum triggering as well as designing, creating and wiring an electronic rig for live use. You perform with loops and backing tracks while learning how to complement tracks with your playing and adjust your time feel to “lock in.” Two lecture hours and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Advanced Drumming 1: Jazz
This class explores and demonstrates the basic elements of jazz drumming. Techniques include ride patterns and left-hand comping, basic independence and coordination, and ensemble interaction. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Advanced Drumming 2: Jazz
Explores the historical, stylistic and technical evolution of jazz from Dixieland to Bebop and beyond with focus on group interaction, jazz soloing on various song forms, up-tempo swing concepts, cymbal turnarounds, 3/4 time, advanced independence and four-way jazz coordination. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Advanced Drumming 3: Latin
Class develops authentic stylistic hand and foot techniques through listening, demonstration and classroom practice with emphasis on popular Brazilian styles including Bossa Nova and Samba. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Advanced Drumming 4: Latin
Continuation of Latin drumming techniques with emphasis on Afro-Cuban styles including Cha Cha, Mambo, Mozambique and others. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Developing Your Groove 1
The goal of this course is to help you apply fundamental rhythms to the drum set to improve time, feel, independence and sound. Coordination drills in rock and jazz styles are introduced and performed in class. One lecture ensemble hour per week for one quarter.
Developing Your Groove 2
Further groove development with increasing difficulty of rhythms and four-way independence. Coordination drills applying to all styles of music including rock, funk, jazz and Latin dramatically improve time, feel, independence and sound. One lecture ensemble hour per week for one quarter.
Contemporary Drum Concepts 1
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. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Contemporary Drum Concepts 2
Focuses on the continued development of performance skills including groove development, soloing concepts, more advanced single and double bass drum application and sound production. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Odd Meter 1
You develop facility with odd-meter rhythmic phrases applied to both the drum set and hand drums. Rhythmic phrasing drills develop composite meter performance and technique. One lecture hour plus one lab per week for one quarter.
Odd Meter 2
Advanced odd-meter rhythmic phrasing, including techniques for analyzing and applying rhythms in any rhythmic subdivision or meter. Topics also include technique, time/feel, song form and phrasing. One lecture hour plus one lab per week for one quarter.
Studio Drumming 1
This “real world” approach to recording covers all facets of the recording experience whether you work in original bands or as independent studio musicians. In a 24-track Avid Pro Tools© HD studio, you perform in a variety of musical situations including developing drum parts, sight-reading charts, performing with backing tracks, overdubbing and punching in and learning to lock in with loops and tracks. Studio etiquette and sound development are also covered. You receive an HD video of your final performances. Two lecture hours per week for one quarter.
Studio Drumming 2
A continuation of studio drumming techniques and experiences including advanced styles such as odd-meter performance and soloing. You receive an HD video of your final performance. Two lecture hours per week for one quarter.
Reading 1
Fundamentals of single-line and drum set reading. You learn basic rhythmic theory, develop sight-reading skills and interpret essential rhythmic figures. Two lecture hours per week for one quarter.
Reading 2
Introduction of time signature studies, note-value relationships, counting and subdivision exercises. Also includes interpreting rhythms in different styles at the drum set, independence studies and chart reading. Two lecture hours per week for one quarter.
Reading 3
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. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Reading 4
Reading compound time signatures, changing meters, value indicators and abnormal groupings. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Reading 5
Interpretation of sixteenth-note figures, snare drum reading and etudes in changing meters in preparation for studio recording. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
Reading 6
Advanced reading skills include orchestral snare drum etudes, reading drum set charts with style and meter changes, and multi-tom reading in preparation for studio recording. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for one quarter.
MUSICIANSHIP
Keyboard Lab 1
An introduction to the keyboard especially designed for the drummer. Covers note recognition, scales, intervals and chord construction at the keyboard as a visual and aural aid for required Theory and Ear Training classes. One hour per week for one quarter.
Keyboard Lab 2
Chords, chord progressions and basic keyboard performance. One hour per week for two quarters.
Harmony and Theory 1–2
Three credit units required (one and one-half per quarter). See General Requirements for course descriptions.
Ear Training 1–2
Three credit units required (one and one-half per quarter). See General Requirements for course descriptions.
ELECTIVES
Basic Caribbean Drum set
Latin Percussion - Afro-Cuban
Latin Percussion – Brazilian
Double Bass Drum Workout
Fill Fest
How to Practice
Timekeeping
Funk Drums – Classic
Funk Drums – Modern
Latin/Funk Connection
Bebop and Beyond
Analysis of Great Grooves
Drum Solo Analysis, Concepts and Performance
Bridging the Gaps
Duets
Chop Busters 1
Chop Busters 2
New Orleans Drumming
Advanced Drum Concepts 1
Advanced Drum Concepts 2
Sean Winchester Drum Clinic at MI
Matt Halpern Drum Clinic at Musicians Institute
Drum Clinic with Giancarlo de Trizio at Musicians Institute
Ray Luzier at Musicians Institute
Clem Waldmann - Drum Alumni at Musicians Institute
Abel Vallejo speaks about Musicians Institute
Rivkah Ross (Drums)
Bennie Rodgers II speaks about his experiences at Musicians Institute
Bennie Rodgers II - Drummer for Mariah Carey
Daniel Berg (Drums)
David Borne Jr. (Drums)
Mark Allee speaks about his experiences at Musicians Institute
Jonathan Logan (Drums: Beau Black)
Patrick Jarrett - Drums
