Update from Alex

Hey y’all,

Just a quick update here. Last week we got through all 14 duple check variations (good work!!!). Let’s keep this positive momentum going and continue working on these at home. A few key focuses when practicing at home so that these get better at rehearsal.

1. Memorize which pattern is which and be able to recall them right away. They are arranged pretty logically so it shouldn’t be very tough.
2. Play with as much space as possible, going for a very “open” interpretation. In general we tend to be in front of the beat causing us to rush and tear as an ensemble. Aim for landing more towards the back side of the beat and thus “opening up” the sound.
3. Exaaaaagggggeeeeerrrrraaaaatttteeee the motions. This tends to be improving but still needs work. When doing these exercises (Full down tap up, and the check patterns), the motions have to be very obvious, exaggerated, and almost robotic. We tend to be a bit reserved still and need to really “GO FOR IT”.
4. Velocity is what we are going for on every stroke and we need to put more of it into the strokes. This is the time to build muscle and muscle memory so practice using as much velocity as possible.
   1. Snares tend to still be a bit slow and the left hands especially are lacking in velocity to balance out their right-hand counter part. Make sure to turn the left wrist to generate that whipping motion in the final portion of the stroke.
   2. Quad(s) tend to be very slow on the strokes and lacking any clear tonal projection and overall power. Just think, there is 1 of you and 4-6 snares and 4-6 basses at any time, we need to hear you!. My advice: go all out and really start hitting the drum.
   3. Bass drums also tend to still be very reserved in the approach and are quick to forget technique. The full strokes need to be true full strokes to match the approach in the snare section, this means hands at your relative full extension. Also the sound is muddy and weak. We need to start REALLY HITTING THE DRUMS, due to the tonal nature of the bass drum the sound needs to be “pulled out” much like tympani.
   4. Keyboards… carry on (a.k.a ask Anthony)
5. PLAY WITH THE METRONOME ALL THE TIME. Please purchase a metronome and if you can’t at the moment just google “free metronome” and there are a million online pages with free metronome apps. This is crucial to our success and unless we start turning on the metronome ALL THE TIME, we will never progress. The metronome helps keep our time accurate and if we can’t play in time… then what contribution could we expect to make to the full ensemble?

So a quick summary of things I want to see this week

1. Energy in your bodies, hands, faces, and general approach and demeanor. (check your bags at the door and show up ready to drum). BE FEARLESS AND HAVE FUN
2. Velocity Velocity Velocity. Move the stick as fast as possible and generate a strong sound while still incorporating the rebound. Use as much velocity as you can from now on. GO FOR IT!
3. Balance your hands from left to right (basically hit harder with your weaker hand)
4. Memorization of each check pattern to the point of instant recall. (We will point to any member at any time to perform (alone) any one of the 14 check patterns, be ready for it).
5. Tempo management stemming from practice with a metronome. I will ask those who practiced with a metronome (on the honor system), to raise their hands. Those who choose not to practice with a metronome should re-evaluate their motivations for coming to the class. (Why come to a class on drumming if you don’t care about tempo? Tempo is WHAT WE DO!).

Anyway, my apologies for being a bit verbose but the info here should help us get where we would like to be. Let’s get excited about drumming and show up ready to rock. Put in the work at home now and you can guarantee yourselves a great season. We are aiming to put ourselves in a position to really play some challenging but very exciting notes next season but we have got to lay some good foundations now. In other words, practice this now exactly as we tell you, and later we’ll be throwing down serious beats like rockstars.

Keep on it!
-Alex