So for the past couple of years I have been teaching an online music history course that I designed for The College of Southern Idaho and I am excited to share that I am now in the middle of designing an online percussion course and it has been an absolute blast:).
Wanna hear all about it?
In this 15 week course, students will learn their major scales on a mallet instrument, take a deep dive into the 26 standard drum rudiments, learn practice techniques, and explore individual interests. This is a perfect course for anybody who is planning on pursuing percussion at the university level, and wants to start accumulating college credit in preparation. It is also a great option if you are a music teacher and need some continuing education hours along with an opportunity to strengthen your percussion knowledge base. Or maybe you know somebody who is working on audition material and needs some coaching? …send 'em my way!
Yes, you now have two options to earn college credit with me while studying music. My ‘Survey of Jazz and Popular Music’ course has been up and running for a while now, and now my percussion course is another great option to knock out some college credit while hanging out and learning with me! Yay!
I thought I would share a quick excerpt from the course! In this sampling we are talking about employing the ‘open to close’ technique into your practice routine.
"Open to close" is a practice method for playing drum rudiments that involves starting slowly and gradually increasing the speed until you reach your maximum speed, then slowing back down to the starting speed. This method is often used to help drummers develop their speed and control.
To play a rudiment "open to close," start by playing the rudiment slowly and deliberately. As you get more comfortable with the rudiment, you can start to increase the speed gradually. Once you reach your maximum speed, hold it for a few beats before slowing back down to the starting speed.
Here are some of the benefits of practicing rudiments "open to close":
- It can help you develop your speed and control.
- It can help you build up stamina.
- It can help you improve your accuracy.
- It can help you develop a consistent sound.
- It can help you learn new rudiments more quickly.
If you are a drummer who wants to improve your speed, control, and accuracy, I highly recommend practicing rudiments "open to close." It is a simple and effective method that can help you take your drumming to the next level.
Here are some additional tips for practicing rudiments "open to close":
- Record yourself playing the rudiment and listen back to it to identify any areas that need improvement.
- Be patient and persistent. It takes time and practice to master this method.
With regular practice, you will eventually be able to play rudiments at a fast and consistent tempo. This will be a valuable skill that will help you improve your drumming in many ways.