What Exam Grade Are Most Drummers On In The Music Business?
Discussion
agent006 said:
They are still playing as adults, therefore they obviously haven't had their enthusiasm destroyed as a teenager by taking grade exams.
Exams don't have to be a bad thingI did a few when I was learning (trombone) and I play professionally now.
Most of my pupils also do exams. Some don't, if I don't think it's appropriate for them, but I try to get all of them to do at least one. If they hate it, I won't make them do another, but most get a sense of achievement at having a certificate from an internationally recognised exam board telling them how good they are.
It's bad teaching, and unsupportive parents that destroy enthusiasm.
Edited by Blue160 on Wednesday 3rd December 21:18
Twit said:
b
ks to exams! Its all about feel and groove!
I reckon I'd fail grade 1, but I know I can hold a rhythm and put the odd fill here and there. Exams simply destroy any passion for music.
I reckon most pro's have never taken an exam at all!
I think it depends on the type of drummerks to exams! Its all about feel and groove!I reckon I'd fail grade 1, but I know I can hold a rhythm and put the odd fill here and there. Exams simply destroy any passion for music.
I reckon most pro's have never taken an exam at all!
Drummers who work with the same pop or rock group all the time just need to be able to play. Feel and groove, and knowing the songs is all they need.
These guys have maybe not taken any exams. In some cases they may not have had any formal teaching, but a lot of them are fantastic musicians.
Guys who do session work, or play with lots of different groups need to be able to read, and in most situations sight read.
Most of the jazz gigs I do (not on drums) involve just a half hour sound check, then the the gig. If there's stuff you don't know you have to sight read it in the show
To do this well you need to have been well taught, which probarbly means going through exams, and sometimes music college.
I can see that.
I suppose I am kind of lucky in that I play drums now and am pretty much self taught, although I did have some lessons to get the rudiments etc. But as a kid I played Cello, so I can read music and have a reasonable feel for sound, that sounds naff but I guess people will know what I mean.
For rock music that I play, feel and timing is more important that perfect technique; plus we only play our own songs so we know how they are meant to sound (e.g even if we cock them up we are right!
). I would love to play the cello again, that would be cool!
I suppose I am kind of lucky in that I play drums now and am pretty much self taught, although I did have some lessons to get the rudiments etc. But as a kid I played Cello, so I can read music and have a reasonable feel for sound, that sounds naff but I guess people will know what I mean.
For rock music that I play, feel and timing is more important that perfect technique; plus we only play our own songs so we know how they are meant to sound (e.g even if we cock them up we are right!
). I would love to play the cello again, that would be cool!
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