DRUMMER CAFE - Community Forum

Hi everyone,

I've decided to put together a drum recital for all of my students. The majority of my students are at the beginning and intermediate levels.  I have 2 advanced students. 

If I could get the musicians, I'd like for my students (the ones that can hold a groove) to play along with the musicians.  Otherwise, if I can't, I was thinking they could perform to a minus-drum song.  I'd like for them to play along to songs that are recognizable but I haven't been able to find minus-drum music with vocals.  It's probably okay for them to play along without the vocals but I thought it would be better if the vocals were there.  The next best thing at having a band sound.   

In addition, I was planning for some of my students to perform a 2 to 5 minute drum solo after they completed playing their song.

I have 10 students so far that are capable of performing at the drum recital.  I'd like my other beginning students to play but I'm not sure what to prepare for them to play at the recital.  Although, with 10 students, that's a long recital. 

1.  Any suggestions on a format for the recital? 

2.  Is the minus-drum song play along kinda cheesy?  I'm not sure if I can find any volunteer musicians.  I can't afford to pay anyone.

3.  Any suggestions on how I can get my beginning students involved?  Maybe all of them can play something together?

cc

Maybe play Harr's "3 Camps" and have a few kids in 3 corners of the room for a number.

I really don't know what you kids are working on but some the recital should include their current lessons... right?

Maybe Fred Dinkin's book "It's about Time". There are some easy charts with/out drums.  I'm sure there are other books as well that do this.  Cue up the cd, get the kid in some headphones, have a small pa and mixer- jam it out.  That's probably what I would do.

Outstanding....I haven't heard "3 Camps" done in years. Great idea for the students to do.  ;)

yeah, it's a great sounding solo also- not too tough either.  God, I have not played a real snare drum solo in years.  Oh well.  I can really appreciate a great snare drum player though.

Typically the recital is a time for students to display what they've been working on.

In the past, I've done the following with student recitals:

1. Rudiments: slow-fast-slow. (just one or two rudiments for beginners)
2. Etude or exercise they've been working on.
3. Solo

You can use one or more of the above suggestions, depending on the time allowed for the recital and ability of each student. The important thing, in my opinion, is that each student plays something ... and it's a positive experience for each student.

Another thing I've done is have the students play together. This could be a duet, trio, etc. It might be all on Snare drums or the like ... or could be a full ensemble piece. There's a lot of ensemble material out there beginners. You'll want to select a piece that calls for the instruments that you have available. You can also substitute instruments when necessary.

I've also had the students play a piece written for Snare, but have them play it on a hand drum. Anything to make it fun, while also learning techniques for other instruments. I can guarantee you that your students will LOVE playing on something other than what they normally play on. Get the playing on a Conga or Djembe, playing the same piece or exercise they normally play on Snare ... they'll love it! Obviously if they are playing rudiments in the piece they'll have a tough time pulling that off with their hands (eg. double strokes). It can be done, but a beginner won't be able to play 5-Stroke Rolls with their hands ... at least not very fast. So keep that in mind as well.

Just changing things up will encourage and excite students ... increasing their creative awareness.

A good friend of mine with close to 30 students used to have a recital every year.  He would have each of his students play -- either individually or with an ensemble.  Yes, it was long (two hours or so), but it was important to him to begin developing "stage presence" (or exposing the kids to "butterflies in the stomach") as early as possible. Even the kids who could only play simple snare exercises played in front of the audience of parents and friends.

He also would have some cool ensembles with the more advanced students, and occasionally would invite guest musicians to play along -- or solo.

One ensemble I remember distinctly (because it was so cool and came off so well) was set up like a restaurant, and the kids would come in one at a time to their table, be seated by their waiter, and begin to tap on plates and glasses as they waited.  It developed into a percussive tour-de-force that had everyone smiling and amazed at the potential that can be found in students that apply themselves.

you can do anything you want... it's your recital!  ;D

There has been real great advice given here......thanks so much everyone. 

I'm thinking about doing a STOMP kind of thing to possibly end the recital but I'll see.  My wife says it may be too much for my first recital.  I really like the idea of all my students playing together. 

I'm not sure I'll be able to get musicians to play along with my students which is kind of a bummer.  And the minus-drum songs I have don't have any vocals on it as well.  But the songs are recognizable.  To name a few:

Hurt So Good
Message in a Bottle
Separate Ways (whoa that 1 Steve Smith fill in there is kinda tricky)
Peg
Run to the Hills
War Pigs
Barracuda
Come Together

I'll just have to make sure my students can hear the songs in the headphones while they are playing along.

cc

Sure you can, check with other instructors in the area and make a deal with them.  You can return the favor for their recitals.  After all, good drummers are hard to find, especially for recitals with a bunch of guitar students.   ;D

Just an update on the progress of the recital......

1.  Well, I haven't received any committments yet from the other teachers to play at the recital yet. 

2.  Most of my students want to play along to the minus drum packages.  Unfortunately, they don't have vocals.  I was thinking of hiring a singer to sing vocals on these performances to make it sound like they're playing with a full band.  Should I do this?

3.  Some of my students are having a hard time locking in with their selected song.  With only a month of practice before the recital, I had to suggest easier tunes for them to work on.  BTW.....there will be a 2 week school break next month so some of my students only really have about 2 weeks of practice.  They seem fine with the change but I'm hoping it doesn't effect their confidence.

4.  I just got the sheet music for some of the snare drum duet pieces so I'll be working with some of the students that will be playing a duet piece in addition to a drumset piece.  I'm looking forward to this part of the recital.

5.  These recitals really do take a lot of work and time on my part.  I mentioned it to a fellow drum teacher of mine and he indicated it wasn't worth it to him because; 1. it would take a lot of his time; 2. he doesn't make any money from it and 3. the parents would expect a recital from him all the time.  It was kind of a bummer to hear this attitude from him because he's been teaching for so long.  I have to agree with him about the financial part.........but it has been a learning process for me too.  And that outweighs any of the negative things he indicated. 

cc