Case Studies

Case Study________________________________
Guildhall School of Music and Drama:
Exercises and Pieces for Snare Drum
Grades 3 and 4

Jack Richards & David Arnold
                                                                                  ­­__
Overview

This book contains a series of exercises and pieces for snare drum. The book states that "the exercises and duets in the book are for private study, at whatever tempo or dynamic the teacher or student consider appropriate.". At the end of each Grade section of the book are two pieces that are required to learn for the graded examination.

Format

Each grade has a series of four exercises, each containing a series of four bar pieces, very similar in terms of timing, getting slightly more difficult as the pieces progress. The exercises are followed by three duets, containing parts from the previous exercises strung together into a longer piece. The parts in the duet are played in both canon and unison, and each is one page long, or approximately sixteen bars.

After the duets come the two pieces that are to be played in the graded examination. Each is one or two full pages in length, and contains parts similar or identical to parts from the exercises and duets. The graded pieces also contain instructions regarding dynamics and tempo.

Analysis

The way new time signatures are introduced gradually is good as it allows the player to improve slowly. The format of exercises followed by full pieces is a nice way to give the exercises application to a complete song. The duets add an interesting, interactive element. The way that learned skills accumulate in a final piece can be applied to my book.

 

Case Study________________________________
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Drum Kit
Grades 1-4

Jack Richards
                                                                                 
Overview

This book contains four sets of exercises for use as grading material in the Guidhall School of Music and Drama exam for Drum Kit, grades 1-4. Each grade contains either four shorter set pieces, or two extended set pieces, both of which should be learned for the exam, as well as some Rudiments at the start of each grade. As the book progresses the pieces become more complex and new musical and technical elements are introduced.

Format

Grades 1 and 2 have three rudiments (short sticking exercises) at the beginning, followed by four short pieces in varying musical styles. These pieces range from two to five lines; the shortest being just eight bars, the most twenty bars.

Grades 3 and 4 share the format of rudiments followed by exercises, but grade 3 introduces a further six, and grade four six more (twenty in total) which each need to be learned for the grade. These grades only have two set pieces, but they are extended pieces, using an entire page in the book each; the shortest being 34 bars long and the longest being 47 bars.

Every piece in the book contains information regarding dynamics, tempo, and other musical expressions, which become more complex as the grades progress.

Analysis

Drum notation is unclear as all cymbals are listed as "above the stave", it would be preferred if it was made more specific as to which cymbal should be played (i.e. ride, hi-hat, or crash) by using other staves (as other books do); eliminating the need to clutter musical scores with "R. CYM" or "BELL OF CYMBAL" notes. Also, unlike other books, there are no exercises to build up to the level required by the pieces; the learning curve between grades, however, is fair and achievable. It could be suggested that a drum teacher would need to be present when using this book.

 

Case Study________________________________
Rock School
Drums
Grade 8

Jeremy Ward, Simon Pitt & Simon Troup
                                                                                 
Overview

The Rock School grade 8 book contains six pieces, each spanning over two pages in length, and contains an accompanying audio CD. The pieces are all play-along songs, with accompaniment music contained on the CD.
For the graded exam students have a choice of taking a "Grade Exam", which focuses on developing performance and technical skills, where three of the pieces are played as well as the technical exercises and quick study pieces, general musicianship, etc.; a "Performance Exam", with focus on performing in a range of styles, where the student plays five of the six pieces; or a "Band Exam" where five of the pieces are played with a bassist and guitarist, for students who want to take the grade as a band.

Each song is very complex and contains many unusual time signatures, varied tempos and dynamics, as well as many other musical expressions relevant to drumming.

Format

The book consists of six drum scores, each in a different style of music. The audio CD contains the play-along tracks for each song. Each song has three tracks assigned to it; the first is a full mix of the song (with drums), after a full mix of each song is each song again but this time with the drums removed. After these is each track again, drumless, but with a click track added. After the songs the book and CD both go onto a few technical exercises, quick study pieces and ear tests.

Analysis

The accompanying CD is great as it allows the student to hear exactly how the song should sound, and providing each track three times is a very useful learning aid. The songs show an interesting variety of styles to develop the player.