Ensemble Drumming: Drum Set Techniques & Methods

It is said that the drum set is the heart and soul of any ensemble, and that a drum set player can make or break a band. This course will break down the nuts and bolts of what makes a good ensemble drummer. Whether you’re a trained percussionist looking to expand your drum set playing, a school ensemble director, or a composer or arranger, a thorough understanding of ensemble drum set playing can greatly enhance your creative or educational efficacy.

This course looks to fill the holes found in other areas of percussion/drumset education. Percussion methods classes rarely address drumset playing. Most drum set methods provide myriad examples of beats, grooves and soloing while never really addressing the fundamental role of the drum set player. Think of this course as a drum set methods class. We will discuss and learn the building blocks of the drum grooves needed for the various styles one will encounter most often. We will look at the various forms of written drum set music, from fully written sheet music to basic pop lead sheets. We will also study the masters of ensemble drum set playing since the kit was introduced to modern music.

If you have always had an appreciation of drum set technique but wish to develop that into a deeper technical and musical comprehension, this course is for you.

Outcomes:

Knowledge and ability to perform the basic grooves found in jazz, rock, pop, Latin & soul music
Improved understanding of the stylistic differences in ensemble drumming
Ability to write for the drum set and notate drum parts, lead sheets and rhythm section charts
Technical ability to perform basic drum fills in each style
Ability to impart ensemble drumset knowledge to band members and students
Awareness of the “sounds” of the drum set in ensembles of different eras and genres