It is helpful to consider the question of why practice everyday, and why work so hard on technique and hand speed and dexterity? The answer is pretty simple. When the performance arrives, as a drumset artist you do not want to spend energy or time or concentration on how your hands and feet are going to work together. All those practice hours train your hands what to do.
All that training gives the performer freedom to simply be creative on the drumset and have a more effective communication with the audience. Any time spent thinking about how your hands work during a show is robbing the audience of something potential magical, which is the connection between performer and audience.
In case you missed it, you can play along here:
There are instrument competitions for every type of musical instrument imaginable. These competitions provide a framework for students and performers to hone their skills, and grow as performers. The 2021 grooveKSQ Virtual Percussion Competition is designed to provide that environment for high school aged drum set, rudimental and mallet percussion performers throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.
For those of you playing along at home….here you go! This challenge included 7 stroke rolls and also there were a couple of “odd” groupings of single 5s and single 7s in there to keep you on your toes.
Next time, we break rhythms up around the drum set. First the video, then the score:
Back again with another Transcription Challenge. Watch the video, write down what you see and hear. We are in 4/4. It is 6 measures long. Note the sticking in particular!! I’ll post the answer key this weekend.
