Two-Measure Exercises

SECTION 3B

Two-Measure Exercises

Two-Measure Exercises

Two-Measure Exercises

Musical ConsiderationsONE CANNOT WRITE ABOUT ROCK DRUMMING WITHOUT

MENTIONING WHAT IS POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTOF ROCK MUSIC ... MUSICIANSHIP . ROCK DRUMMING REQUIRES ASENSE OF MUSICIANSHIP EQUAL IN SENSITIVITY TO THE CONCERTVIOLINIST; A SENSE OF MUSICIANSHIP SO ACUTE THAT THE ROCKDRUMMER IS NOT SEPARATED FROM ANY OTHERPROFESSIONALLY SCHOOLED MUSICIAN, BE HE A JAZZ GUITARISTOR AN OPERA SINGER.

MUSICIANSHIP DEFINED FOR THE DRUMMER OF ROCK ISBASICALLY THE ABILITY TO PLAY ARTFUL DRUMS THAT FIT,MOLD, ENHANCE, AND GENERALLY ADD TO THE MUSIC BEINGPERFORMED. THE EAR MUST BE MUSICALLY RESPONSIVE TO THEMUSIC AND THE OTHER MUSICIANS AND MUST AID INIMPLEMENTING CREATIVE PLAYING. THE NEED FOR A MUSICALAWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY AMONG ROCK DRUMMERS CANNOTBE TOO GREATLY EMPHASIZED AS THERE ARE MANY DRUMMERSWHO RUIN GREAT ROCK MUSIC (OR SIMPLY ADD NOTHING TO IT).

MUSICIANSHIP MEANS AN AWARENESS OF DYNAMICS ...PLAYING LOUDER WHEN THE OTHER MUSICIANS ARE “THINKING”LOUDER ... PLAYING SOFTER WHEN THE MUSIC CALLS FOR JUST A“WHISPER” OF A SOUND FROM THE DRUMS. IT ALSO MEANS USINGSIMPLE LICKS WHEN THE MUSIC DOES NOT CALL FOR YOURFUNKIEST SHOW. GREAT ROCK DRUMMERS OF TODAY ARE GREATBECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DON’T PLAY AS WELL AS WHAT THEY DOPLAY.

MUSICIANSHIP IMPLIES A SENSE OF PROFESSIONALISM DURINGREHEARSALS AND DURING PERFORMANCES ON AND OFF THESTAGE. THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE TUNING OF THE DRUMS TOTHE MUSIC AND TO THE ACOUSTICS OF THE PERFORMANCE HALLOR CLUB IS ALSO A CRITERION OF GOOD MUSICIANSHIP.

STAGE PRESENCE IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT. A PERFORMERMUST BE PREPARED TO LOOK AND PLAY HIS BEST WHENATTEMPTING TO WIN AN AUDIENCE. THE ARTICULATE MUSICIANALWAYS HAS A FEEL FOR THE AUDIENCE AS WELL AS FOR THESURROUNDING MUSICIANS AND CAN ADJUST HIS PLAYING SO ASTO MOLD THE AUDIENCE TO HIS LIKING. THE PROFESSIONAL

DRUMMER ALSO IS PREPARED FOR ANYTHING ... THIS MEANS HEKEEPS ON HAND ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO THE PERFORMANCE LIKEEXTRA STICKS, SNARES, DRUM HEADS AND BASS PEDAL STRAPS ...AND DOES NOT ALLOW HIS DRUMS TO SCOOT AWAY FROM HIMAND FALL OFF THE EDGE OF THE STAGE.

GOOD MUSICIANSHIP IN GENERAL IS THE ABILITY OF THEDRUMMER TO PLAY MUSICALLY. A COGNIZANCE OF STYLE ISALWAYS IMPORTANT IN REALIZING AN ART AND THE PURPOSE OFTHIS BOOK IS IN PART TO PREPARE ANY DRUMMER TO PLAY ROCKMUSIC SIMPLY AND EASILY -- GIVING IT “PUNCH” WHEN THEMUSIC CALLS FOR IT. IT IS HOPED THAT THE DRUMMERS WILLUTILIZE THE RHYTHMS PRESENTED SPARINGLY AND TASTEFULLYSO AS TO PRODUCE ARTFUL AND ENJOYABLE MUSIC FOR OTHERDRUMMERS AND THE AUDIENCE ALIKE.