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Hey I was wondering if any of you have some suggestions for teaching younger students (between the ages of 6 and 17)? Most of them are first time drummers. I was spefically looking for some good books to start out with that aren't too difficult or boring. Also any routines or things that you have done in the past with students that worked out well would be appreaciated.
I've been teaching kids for the last few years, all starting from scratch. First thing I did was teach them a basic backbeat groove between snare bass and hats, see where their co-ordination's at. Get them reading the groove on paper and gradually add variations to the groove on the bass drum, switch hi-hat to ride etc. When they feel comfortable playing grooves, get them counting bars and teach them some simple fills. This is always good stuff for lesson 1. From then on I think it is important to find out where their interests lie musically, what bands they listen to, their favourite cds and design the lesson around it. If you can get them practicing along to cds at home after you've explained what the drummer is doing, then they will love to practice. Reading is very important to teach them from day 1 I think also, it makes work as a teacher so much easier when you are explaining a new groove/pattern/fill to them, but don't over stress the reading as some kids will find it very hard and it may put them off. I always found its good to break the lesson in to chunks, so they don't get bored. Let them play free to begin with, it helps them show you what they've been working on and it lets them warm up a bit (some kids hate doing this though, they are often too shy just to 'play'). Make sure the rest of the lessons is a nice digestable mix between whatever you're gonna be working on. I usually did a mix between grooves/technique/reading/stylistic playing and try and chat to them informally at every oppertunity.
As far as books are concerned, I would advise that you get them each to buy a manuscript book and work from your own written exercises only, just to begin with. This way you will begin to devise your own structured teaching 'method' after you've taught a few pupils. And you will start seeing what works and what doesn't. When you feel they are fairly confident and are starting to get it together, you can introduce some books, but try again to have a variety, kids seem to hate working out of the same stuff every week when they are starting out. Of course there are always some kids who are very academic and don't mind you pushing them a bit and they will practice whatever you say, they are usually kids who play other instruments already, or just have very ambitious parents [img]biggrin.gif[/img] .
Hope this helps, good luck with it all!
Teaching students under 8-9 is an entirely different venture than teaching 10 on up. Some of the teachers at our shop won't take kids too young. I usually give it a go for a month as a kind of audition, to see if the kid's mature enough to make it worth their parents money. If they are, I keep it real basic. Grip, reading quarter notes and rests, and the simplest of beats. If they get that, we keep going. Good luck!
I agree w/VDrummer. Just keep it basic with the younger kids & make sure they start to develop a daily practice schedule.
BTW, nice to meet you at the DrumPad yesterday, VDrummer! Great store!
Mike
It was great finally meeting you too, Mike - er Drumgod1. I wish we'd had more time to chat, but it was to put a face to the name. The store can be a little overwhelming....
Brad
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah you are right, I was thinking more about teenagers maybe ages 13-17. For young kids keep it much simpler.Quote:
Just keep it basic with the younger kids