The classes are divided from grade 1 right up to grade 8 and those who want to pursue it as a career or master their drumming techniques can be prepared to do a diploma under a reputable institution of which they will receive a cert.
Students can also sit for professional exams under Rock school UK, ABSRM Australia or Trinity School of London from grades 1 to 8 and diploma.
The course structure will consist of students working through a book at each stage along with manuscript to write down new techniques. The lessons will be conducted using notes which will be a useful tool for them to buy their own books later to work out a challenge.
The class will consist of basic warm ups, rudiments, warm up to a song. Syllabus study, learning new techniques such as double strokes, double bass drum etc. Students will also work on contemporary songs using notes and the teacher will take them through the song, note by note and they are required to work on the song at home besides their drum exam books and syllabus.
Online classes using what’s app video are also conducted for students staying far away or overseas. Classes can also be conducted at students home if they have a drum set and basic sound system.
The Andrew William Drum School has professional drum set as well as a student model kit with well-equipped sound system and amplifiers and mics if students wish to play as a band.
The classes are conducted for students from various ages and background. Some are children and some adults. A good age to start is 7 years old as their brain has fully developed. Exceptions are made for younger children from 5 years old but classes are about 15 minutes for them only, as their attention span is short.
Basic sitting position, holding the stick, rudiments, basic rock rhythm, eight notes, 16 notes, dotted notes (funk rhythm) disco beat, ¾ rhythm, flam and cross stick.
History of drumming, rock and roll, Bo Diddley beat, Triplets, Blues, R&B, complex disco beats and double bass drumming.
Soloing rudiment techniques, introduction to Latin beats such as Songo, Mozambique, Cha Cha, Bossa Nova, Samba, Local rhythms, Twist, Half Time Shuffle and Jazz.
Intermediate level focusing on 32nd notes, 5 stroke, 7 stroke and 9 stroke rolls, paradiddle grooves. Intermediate rudiments such as ratamacue, Pataflafla etc. intermediate Latin techniques, linear rhythm. Intermediate double bass soloing and grooves and odd time measures.
Advanced singles practice. Nonuplets, septuplets, quintuplets etc. soloing. Polyrhythms and mastering jazz techniques. Up-tempo jazz and slow jazz as well as odd time jazz.
Using Berkeley Syllabus, students will be exposed and trained to do advanced rudimental exercises for speed, rudimental soloing, advanced Latin beats, 6/8 counter rhythms, samba grooves, mambo, guaguanco and advanced soloing.
Students will be working on intermediate to professional pieces played by professional drummers. Understanding groupings, playing over the bar, phrasing and learning from a professional drummer’s books on advanced technique.
Using book by the top drummer in the world, Vinnie Colaiuta, students will work on advanced rudiment practices, working on songs by the professionals, understanding how it’s done and dissecting it.
2 levels, entry and higher level. Students will be trained to the syllabus of the exam either if they want to do teaching diploma or performance diploma.
Sitting for exams for children are highly recommended because they will be discipled to practice and focus on getting good grades. Each cert carries UCAS points which can be accumulated as a part for entry into universities for whatever course they are taking.
