nafmeadmin.
nafmeadminHi all,
I have a small jazz combo of good students – this is will be my 3rd year with them and I am always kicking up the theory required. However, what can I do with my drummer? He’s a team player, but his instrumental knowledge is beginner level. I’m going to let him sign out a classroom piano to work on the basics of theory at home, but what is your scope and sequence for drummers?
He already swings very well, and last year we explored compound time and latin beats a bit. This year I’m thinking I can put it on him to learn:
Brushes
Ballads
A bossa nova beat
Funk & jazz-fusion
What is your differentiated/individualized scope and sequence for the drummers in your jazz band?
nafmeadminIf I’m reading your question correctly here are my thoughts. In regards to what I ask my drummers to understand in terms of theory (i.e. chord structure, keys, scales, etc. and keep in mind this for MS and HS kids) I admit I have them learn only the bottom basics unless they have prior exp on the piano, guitar, etc. I have all my non-drummer students learn all their Major and minor scales with jazz tonguing and 1-3-5-8 arpeggios. In addition, I have them learn all their Maj7, 7, and -7 arpgeggios, as well. From there we go onto the dorian and mixolydian modes.
As for the drummers, I want them to have a basic understanding of tertian harmony, but I’m more concerned with them focusing on independence exercises, basic grooves, etc. Ex. for our daily warmups I have the horns run down several of the scales/arpeggios while the drummer works on independence exercises – usually something from the John Riley book or Tommy Igoe’s Groove Essentials.
Past the independence exercises I have them listen to specific listening examples in an effort to help them to better their understanding of not only the role of the drummer in a band, but what that might sound like. It’s not that I don’t think they need to learn the theory, but I want my drummers to focus on drumming first and foremost. If they have the capacity and time to learn additional theory, then great!
Christopher M. Johnson, Professor of Music Education and Music Therapy, is currently the Chair of the Music Education and Music Therapy Department and Director of the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. Johnson earned his Ph.D. from the Florida State University.
Since his arrival at The University of Kansas, Johnson has taught courses in Instrumental Conducting, Teaching Instrumental Music, Managing Behaviors in the Music Environment, Psychology and Acoustics of Music, and Research Methods in Music Education and Music Therapy. Johnson served two terms as the editor of the International Journal of Music Education: Research, the research publication of the International Society for Music Education. He is currently serving his second term on the National Association for Music Educations Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. He also served on the editorial board of the Journal of Research in Music Education, and one earlier term as the Chair for the MENC Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. Johnson also served as the Chair for the Research Commission of the International Society for Music Education.
Johnson’s research interests include applied research in music education, and basic research in all aspects of the psychology of music. He has published articles in many journals including the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education, the Journal of Music Therapy, Journal of Band Research, Contributions to Music Education, and the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, among others. Johnson has also been an active member and contributor to the Research Seminar of the International Society for Music Education and World Alliance for Arts Education.
Johnson received a university teaching award – the Ned N. Fleming Award for Excellence in Teaching and received the recognition for Graduate Teaching Achievement from the Center for Teaching Excellence. Johnson was also awarded a lecturing & research award as a J. William Fulbright Scholar and recently received the Ella Scoble Opperman Citation for Distinguished Achievement from the Florida State University College of Music.
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