AY Honors/Drumming & Percussion/Answer Key
1. Write a one page paper demonstrating your knowledge of how a drum corps can be used to minister within your: a. local church b. community
2. What are the four families of rudiments?
- Rolls
- Diddles
- Flams
- Drags
3. Be able to name five rudiments from each of the four families of rudiments.
Rolls
Single Stroke Roll Rudiments
1. | Single Stroke Roll | |
2. | Single Stroke Four | |
3. | Single Stroke Seven |
Multiple Bounce Roll Rudiments
4. | Multiple Bounce Roll | |
5. | Triple Stroke Roll |
Double Stroke Rudiments
Diddle Rudiments
16. | Single Paradiddle | |
17. | Double Paradiddle | |
18. | Triple Paradiddle | |
19. | Paradiddle-Diddle |
Flam Rudiments
20. | Flam | |
21. | Flam Accent | |
22. | Flam Tap | |
23. | Flamacue | |
24. | Flam Paradiddle | |
25. | Single Flammed Mill | |
26. | Flam Paradiddle-Diddle | |
27. | PataFlaFla | |
28. | Swiss Army Triplet | |
29. | Inverted Flam Tap | |
30. | Flam Drag |
Drag Rudiments
31. | Drag | |
32. | Single Drag Tap | |
33. | Double Drag Tap | |
34. | Lesson 25 | |
35. | Single Dragadiggle | |
36. | Drag Paradiddle #1 | |
37. | Drag Paradiddle #2 | |
38. | Single Ratamacue | |
39. | Double Ratamacue | |
40. | Triple Ratamacue |
4. Demonstrate ability to keep in step with the drum corps by taking part in at least one outreach program. (ex. Pathfinder Day, Conference or Local church sponsored event)
Songs that are marches are written in either 2/4, or more commonly, 4/4 time. When marching to such a song, the left foot leads and always hits the ground on an odd beat, while the right foot hits the ground on an even beat. Count the beats in your head as you march, "1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4" etc. The left foot touches the ground on each 1 and 3. The right foot touches on each 2 and 4. If you find you are out of step, a quick hop (where the feet do not cross one another) can quickly get you back into step. But staying in step is a lot easier than getting back in step once you're out, so pay attention!
The outreach program will be something like a parade in which your drum corps marches. This will call for a class A uniform, so make sure it is clean and pressed!
5. What is the difference between drum carriers and drum straps? Demonstrate with drum equipment in a formation.
6. What are the seven essential rudiments? Why are they essential?
- 1. Single Stroke Roll
- 2. Multiple Bounce Roll
- 3. Double Stroke Open Roll
- 4. Five Stroke Roll
- 5. Single Paradiddle
- 6. Flam
- 7. Drag
7. What is the difference between playing open vs. closed?
8. Using the open/closed method, demonstrate your knowledge of the seven essential rudiments. Execute: Open to Closed to Open
9. What is the difference between traditional style and matched style stick holding? Demonstrate each style by playing a sequence consisting of no less than three rudiments.
10. What is the difference between drumsticks used for a drum corps and those used for a percussion drum set?
11. What are the sections that make up a drum corps?
There are four primary sections that make up a drum corp/drumline. They are as follows: Cymbal Section, Snare Line, Tenor Line(including Tri/Quads/Quints), and the Bass Line.
Note: Some drum corps/drumlines may opt to use a multi-tenor setup instead of having a single tenor, but they would still fall under the tenor line catergory.
12. Based on the previous question, what purpose does each section serve?
Snare Drums
Snare parts are typically unison and provide the center rhythm of the drumline. The snare drum line is the center of tempo in the ensemble, and the "center snare", a position typically held by the most experienced snare drummer, is responsible for maintaining the tempo. When rehearsing or performing, the center snare may "tap off" the ensemble, setting the tempo with a solo rhythm.
Tenor Drums
Contemporary tenor drums (also called toms, tri-toms, quads, quints, squints, or sextets) are single-headed tonal drums. There are usually four to six drums in a set, but there can be as few as one or as many as seven. Tenor players add pitch variety to the drumline with drums of different sizes and tuning.
Cymbals
Marching cymbals are typically pairs of crash cymbals played in a variety of ways. Cymbals are bronze with leather carrying straps. Players in cymbal lines may all carry the same size and type of cymbal, or a variety of instruments may be used. Cymbals are played being held before the body, in unison or split parts. In addition to being played by the cymbalists, snare drummers may play on the cymbals as ride cymbals or like hi-hats, thus there is typically a minimum of one cymbalist for every two snare drummers. Cymbals are also used for visual effects due to their reflectiveness while twirling or spinning them. Many contemporary field ensembles do not utilize a cymbal line, as cymbals are played in the front ensemble.
Bass Drums
Marching bass drums are most frequently used as tonal drums split between several percussionists. Each drummer plays a unique part, though the entire bass drum part is conceived as a whole. Marching bass drums, which produce the deepest sound in the battery, are larger drums carried on harnesses with the heads facing the front and back sidelines. The musicians carrying the bass drums typically line up in size order. Bass drummers use mallets with rounded or cylindrical heads often made of hard felt. Small bass drum lines typically consist of four or five members to ensure enough for a melody, and large lines can have eight or more drummers. Sometimes, in smaller bands, one may see only 2 or 3 bass drummers perform, when this happens, sometimes a bass drummer is required to play 2 or 3 bass drum parts to ensure full sound. In very small bands, one may only see one bass drum witch takes the place of 3 to 4 bass drums.
13. Show the various types of protective devices used to secure drum corps equipment.
14. What are the various types and sizes of drumsticks used for a drum corps?
15. Know what tools and equipment used for drum practice sessions.
References:
- Drums for Dummies by Jeff Strong (Paperback - Sep 29, 2001)
- Drum Corps International (www.dci.org)