Main Subject Drums Jazz & Pop 3

Module code
M-JP-DRM3
Curricular domain
Practical Classes
Credits
17
Group size
1
Number of course weeks
30
Class duration
One 50-minute lesson per week
Total contact hours
25 hours
Study load
451 hours

Form / content / level

Prerequisites
Admitted to the ArtEZ Jazz & Pop Drums main subject year 3.
Competencies
See Competencies Matrix.
Aims
Further developing the technical aspects of the students' musicianship in the broadest sense of the word, as well as stimulating their musical awareness and personal taste in music. Students will be able to play the pieces described under Content or similar material (self-chosen pieces, other genres) with a band and to improvise over the pieces, demonstrating their ability to incorporate more complex structures with respect to harmony, melody, rhythm and musical form. For more detailed descriptions and examples, see Content.
Relation to other modules
The contents of the main subject class correspond to the contents of the chosen band and theory lessons such as analysis.
Content
TECHNIQUE:
Further development of snare drum technique with the help of existing études (Moeller, Wilcoxon, Basler) as well as études to be written by the students themselves.
Further development of hand-foot coordination while playing jazz, rock and Latin music.
Brush technique instruction will remain focused on the command of basic techniques, in addition to the use of rudiments.
Developing a personal sound.
READING SKILLS:
Reading drum études, lead sheets and big band arrangements, as well as pop and rock charts.
IMPROVISATION:
Improvising on given basic phrases, goal notes, rhythmic motifs or rigid patterns.
Analysing well-known drummers from the jazz, Latin and rock tradition; emulating stylistic properties.
Transcribing and learning to play intermediate to advanced solos in latin, jazz or rock styles.
Improvising over goal notes.
ACCOMPANIMENT:
Further developing skills pertaining to accompaniment in common styles, grooves and tempi.
Further developing tempo control; improvising over a metronome pulse.
Tandem playing between drums and bass.
Introduction to complex time signatures.
Executing tempo or time signatures changes.
Playing various uncommon forms (with intros, interludes, codas, and elaborate form structure, unusual numbers of bars, etc.).
REPERTOIRE:
A mix of standard repertoire and self-chosen repertoire.
Mode(s) of instruction
Individual lessons and four 3-hour group lessons with third year students.
Material & Tools
Real Books, Gary Chaffey: Pattern series parts 1 through 4, recordings of the pieces to be played.
Student activity
Organizing a performance (band, repertoire, rehearsals) as part of the annual Jazz & Pop ensemble week; independently organizing a performance (five pieces) as part of the transition exam audition.

Examination and assessment

Mode(s) of assessment
Assessment by the main subject instructor at the end of each semester. A technical exam is part of the assessment procedure.
Criteria
The student should have mastered the elements described under Aims. Specific criteria are: creativity, expression, improvisation, technique, sound, intonation, timing, reading skills, repertoire knowledge, progress, self-reflection, session participation, attitude and lesson preparation.
Pass requirements
The student has completed this module if being awarded a minimum grade of 5.5 at the end of the second semester.
Examination procedure
At the end of both semesters the instructor fills out an assessment form designed specifically for this module. Assessment is comprised of a verbal evaluation and a concluding grade. The instructor reviews this assessment with the student during the first subsequent lesson. Assessment at the end of the autumn semester is formative and expressed in terms of satisfactory/unsatisfactory. It indicates a student's progress in this module. No ECs are awarded and there is no resit. Modules can only be absolved, and ECs awarded, after the end of the spring semester.
Resit options
See the Education and Assessment Plan.

Module summary

This module is intended to prepare students through weekly lessons, plus four group lessons, for the audition exam at the end of the third year. Attention is paid in particular to the development of the technical skills required to function as an instrumentalist and soloist in various styles of popular/jazz music.