Summer Strategies

The vast majority of students will find their primary musical activities taking place at home this summer. If you are having trouble feeling inspired and/or motivated, here is a quick list of suggestions for summer projects. This list is definitely drums and percussion oriented although many of the general concepts here can certainly be applied to other instruments.

We will explore these concepts much further in my class on Thursday, June 25th at 4pm EST. The class will be posted on YouTube.

1) Brush up on fundamentals - Rudiments and Scales!!!


2) Learn new drum set styles

 Use this Vic Firth/Tommy Igoe Groove Essentials Poster to get started. Expand outward into "Groove Essentials" by Tommy Igoe.
https://vicfirth.zildjian.com/education/groove-essentials.html


 3) Continue your work in Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone or work out of any book in the Simon Boyar Drum School suggested library:

Accents and Rebounds by George Lawrence Stone
Syncopation by Ted Reed
Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin
Essential Styles For The Drummer and Bassist by Steve Houghton and Tom Warrington
Future Sounds by David Garibaldi
The Art of Bop Drumming by John Riley
Alfred Drum Book Complete by Dave Black and Sandy Feldstein
Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone
Modern School For Snare Drum by Morris Goldenberg
Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg
Modern Method For Timpani by Saul Goodman


4) Learn how to use an audio interface and learn a DAW - suggested site www.macprovideo.com


4) Work on your own arrangements - learn how to do this!


5) Get a Yamaha EAD10 and make your own drum covers (or do it your own way)


6) Learn new repertoire

7) Learn new charts and accompanying chords and scales


8) Listen to music - PLEASE DO THIS!!!
These are just a few suggestions but there are many MANY more. Summer is almost always an opportunity. Take advantage. Happy practicing everyone!!!

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