There is a system I use to help fix kinks in a students drumming that I refer to as back to front which is basically reverse engineering. I by no means invented this method of teaching and problem solving but it is something that I use with every student not only because its proven to fix mistakes but also because it gives the student tools to fix their own mistakes in the future.
The process is pretty straight forward. Identify a problem then break it down to its basics and work the problem from the bottom to the top. It takes a long time to be able to see a problem and know why the student is playing it incorrectly, however it can also be done with some basic drumming logic. Let’s break down how it works!
Lets say a student is working on a new piece and I hear something happening in a bar that doesn’t sound right. The first thing we will do is play just that bar over and over again so that we can identify what part they are playing incorrectly, consistently. Then I will look at three things 1) what rudiment or core skill is involved with the error? 2) are they playing that part with the correct technique? 3) what is the space in between the notes telling me? Are they rushing something or missing something?
Next we take that rudiment, technique or note misplacement and we create an excercise that will help focus on that and serve as a “check”. A check is a term used to break down a part to its basics. Usually just the rhythm and the sticking. Sometimes only focussing on the hand that is the problem. Once we have done that and fixed the problem then we start to layer all the parts back in, run the section multiple times then try it back in the piece. (Maybe I should be calling this the pyramid method).
There are usually a few steps involved that go something like this. Mistake in bar 4. Problem playing flam drags. The diddle is being crushed. Need to make a check for gracenote into diddle transition. Run a left handed check of the bar down tempo. Practice practice practice. Add the right hand in. Practice practice practice. Add in accents and phrasing. Practice practice practice. Play section now with fixed bar. Practice practice practice.
Give a student a fish, they drum for a day. Teach a student to fish they drum for a lifetime. Something like that.
Hilary