Syllabus

Level 1 Certificate Pipe Band Drumming

Intended to allow beginners to assure themselves that they are learning correctly.   Candidates will probably have been having weekly lessons for approximately six months.

1. Maintenance

Introduction to the care and maintenance of Snare, Bass and Tenor drums.

2. Snare Drum Practical

Candidates must demonstrate a basic competence in the following, using sticks and practice pads:

a. Correct hand and stick position
b. Single stroke beating
c. Counting in simple and compound times
d. Counting in irregular groups in simple and compound time
e. Counting in three kinds of time
f. Single stroke work
g. Long roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
h. Five stroke roll both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
i. Seven stroke roll both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
j. Nine stroke roll both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
k. Paradiddle
l. Basic monotones in simple time

3. Bass and Tenor Drum Practical

Candidates must demonstrate a basic competence in the following, using beaters (sticks):

a. Correct hand and beater position
b. Beater control
c. Counting in simple and compound times
d. Counting in irregular groups in simple and compound time
e. Counting in three kinds of time
f. Single stroke work
g. Paradiddle
h. Basic monotones in simple time

4. Theory

Candidates must be able to:

a. Name all notes and note values
b. Demonstrate the correct placement of notes on the stave
c. Demonstrate an understanding of what dotted and cut notes have on the note duration
d. Correctly write a treble clef on the stave
e. Understand the purpose of the bar line
f. Write out 4 bars from a tune with 2/4 time signature by copying onto manuscript paper from set music provided.