Drum diploma for teaching
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alvinthedrummer
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I honestly think paper qualification is secondary in teaching an artform like music. I feel that actual performance experiences are more important. Only through real performances that you will be able to work out what truly works or sounds good in a live setting. And there are much more to it too like understanding the dynamics of sound, tuning, sensitivity to the acoustics of venues, the right setup, have solid knowledge on gear and music history etc. All these are a combination of many years of real life experiences and much reading and studying.
hey i agree with alvin. its really a people thing, besides knowing how to do it and how to explain it well you also need to know how to deliver that information in the right way to that particular student. no one student learns the same, as such you should adjust your teaching method accordingly. As much as it is being knowledgable about drumming you also need to be knowledgable about handling people. its really a 50% knowledge 50% friend/teacher/entertainment. a good way of developing yourself as a teacher is to be a student, learn from as many teachers as u can the good as well as the bad. then u can pick out wat u want and wat u need to be a good teacher.
cheerios
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lummer
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I believe there is such thing as qualifications to be a drum instructor... no? As a music school i suppose there must be some form of structure or standards set when they rope in instructors to teach. But of course that should not be the only criteria as experience in that certain musical instruments are critical too. On the other hand, the music schools can't get an instructor that is very competent in the practical part but do not understand music theory or read music... Like that also cannot right? Such experienced drummers could possibly conduct a great drum clinic but probably not being able to get a job in an educational school since they cannot read or understand musical theories.
But i suppose if the instructors graduates from a music school and have spent 3 to 5years of his life learning and mastering their crafts (This does not include their exposures in adolescence), they should possess some good amount of knowledge in that field, understanding of music as a whole and its history of varies genre of music. Some drummers here i believe can share more from their experience as they might have graduated from music schools overseas.
Although having a diploma or degree in music does not proof anything about ones ability or skills or performing experience but it should proof that the person possess the musical theories thus it became a benchmark. Paper qualifications basically proofs ones dedication in their studies but still need the practical part to compliment and be a competent well rounded instructor.
Well, having said, my personal opinion will be that i rather get a drum instructor that have the qualities that was mentioned by Alvin and blurred. The lessons will definitely be more educational and interesting...
But i suppose if the instructors graduates from a music school and have spent 3 to 5years of his life learning and mastering their crafts (This does not include their exposures in adolescence), they should possess some good amount of knowledge in that field, understanding of music as a whole and its history of varies genre of music. Some drummers here i believe can share more from their experience as they might have graduated from music schools overseas.
Although having a diploma or degree in music does not proof anything about ones ability or skills or performing experience but it should proof that the person possess the musical theories thus it became a benchmark. Paper qualifications basically proofs ones dedication in their studies but still need the practical part to compliment and be a competent well rounded instructor.
Well, having said, my personal opinion will be that i rather get a drum instructor that have the qualities that was mentioned by Alvin and blurred. The lessons will definitely be more educational and interesting...
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alvinthedrummer
New member
There are qualifications for a music instructor but not necessary the paper type. If I am to pick an instructor to teach, he or she needs to but not limited to:-
1) Be able to sight-read and have good/firm understanding of commonly used musical terms found in charts. (Don't need a uni to train you on these really. I was able to sight read pretty well by the time I was ready to get enlisted into the army....just need some proper guidance from a teacher who reads and practice a hell lot)
2) Be able to play his/her instrument well and have decent working/performance experiences. (no uni can give you these, you need to head out there and work it out yourself)
3) Must be well-versed in various styles of music and have a decent understanding of the roots of these styles (again, no need for a uni as there are really enough info out there on the web and printed publications)
4) Still a practicing musician. Even if retired from gigs, must still have a healthy practice schedule in order to keep in touch with the current world of music
Now this is just the start. Other things such as being able to converse well, deliver information well, motivate students to develop good learning and practice habits etc. will all help to decide how successful your teaching career will be.
Now as for the importance of uni.....in my opinion, if your mindset is simply to get a degree, then you might as well go get a business degree. Music is an artform and the reason why I attended uni was to be able to live in another's musical culture, study concepts from drummers that don't live here, learn other skills that are not directly related to drumming such as production, arrangement, composition etc. (these are skills that I wanted to learn to help me be able to work in those fields and not because I want to teach drums).
Also, I know of graduates from famous international music institutions that still have problems sight-reading properly and remembering musical terms. So, it doesn't really "proof" that they have good "theory" knowledge. I also know of graduates that still have problem understanding certain basic & advance musical concepts....the underlying problem is most of these "famous" institutions' audition process is way too lax and they accept almost anyone who can afford the fees and can play just well enough to pass their course. Know one thing, attaining the degree is really not very difficult. But getting a well-scored degree is another thing entirely. No school is gonna whip out their instructors' transcript to show you right? So, the degree really proves nothing much.
Bottom line, would you wanna learn from a fresh graduate who has no working credentials and decent performance experiences or from a master like Tony Zee who pretty much knows it all?
1) Be able to sight-read and have good/firm understanding of commonly used musical terms found in charts. (Don't need a uni to train you on these really. I was able to sight read pretty well by the time I was ready to get enlisted into the army....just need some proper guidance from a teacher who reads and practice a hell lot)
2) Be able to play his/her instrument well and have decent working/performance experiences. (no uni can give you these, you need to head out there and work it out yourself)
3) Must be well-versed in various styles of music and have a decent understanding of the roots of these styles (again, no need for a uni as there are really enough info out there on the web and printed publications)
4) Still a practicing musician. Even if retired from gigs, must still have a healthy practice schedule in order to keep in touch with the current world of music
Now this is just the start. Other things such as being able to converse well, deliver information well, motivate students to develop good learning and practice habits etc. will all help to decide how successful your teaching career will be.
Now as for the importance of uni.....in my opinion, if your mindset is simply to get a degree, then you might as well go get a business degree. Music is an artform and the reason why I attended uni was to be able to live in another's musical culture, study concepts from drummers that don't live here, learn other skills that are not directly related to drumming such as production, arrangement, composition etc. (these are skills that I wanted to learn to help me be able to work in those fields and not because I want to teach drums).
Also, I know of graduates from famous international music institutions that still have problems sight-reading properly and remembering musical terms. So, it doesn't really "proof" that they have good "theory" knowledge. I also know of graduates that still have problem understanding certain basic & advance musical concepts....the underlying problem is most of these "famous" institutions' audition process is way too lax and they accept almost anyone who can afford the fees and can play just well enough to pass their course. Know one thing, attaining the degree is really not very difficult. But getting a well-scored degree is another thing entirely. No school is gonna whip out their instructors' transcript to show you right? So, the degree really proves nothing much.
Bottom line, would you wanna learn from a fresh graduate who has no working credentials and decent performance experiences or from a master like Tony Zee who pretty much knows it all?
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lummer
New member
Totally agree with what Alvin is saying... Maybe my post was not entirely clear. I was writing the earlier post with thoughts along the line of committed musicians that graduate from Uni with the mindset of learning and exposing themselves to other music cultures that are not readily available locally. And yes i agree that there are many local graduates from renowned America's music academy that can't really read or play well after being there for couple of years...
It really boils down to the persons' attitude,motive, goals and aspirations as to why they want to study music.
Tony Zee is my hero sial!!! Been listening to him play since the Hardrock cafe days!!! Glad Alvin mentioned his name!!!! He is the MAN!!!!
It really boils down to the persons' attitude,motive, goals and aspirations as to why they want to study music.
Tony Zee is my hero sial!!! Been listening to him play since the Hardrock cafe days!!! Glad Alvin mentioned his name!!!! He is the MAN!!!!
plainsman
New member
if there's one positive thing out of signing up for grading exams that would be ... it forces you to PRACTICE !!! (cannot malu / fail !!!) ha
i think everyone's the same in that we'll all try to maximise our chances in life, if you got paper use it to open doors, if you have experience you put that in your resume instead etc.
most schools look for paper cos at least its an indication that this person has formally studied music (can't be anyhow right?)
at the end of the day i always believe the right man will get the job. if the gig's not yours it never will be.
if you think going for the paper will help you become more focused/disciplined go for it!
make sure you really learn in the process though.
the professionals i know come in all forms, shapes and sizes, literally. fat one, thin one, tall, short, long hair, no hair, black, white, yellow.
the one thing they have in common is... they all can DELIVER.
you gotta find yourself, your style and your voice.
also good attitude, work ethic and overall general character (honesty, patience, respect for others) travels faster than speed of light. ie. people know your reputation even before they know you !!
i think everyone's the same in that we'll all try to maximise our chances in life, if you got paper use it to open doors, if you have experience you put that in your resume instead etc.
most schools look for paper cos at least its an indication that this person has formally studied music (can't be anyhow right?)
at the end of the day i always believe the right man will get the job. if the gig's not yours it never will be.
if you think going for the paper will help you become more focused/disciplined go for it!
make sure you really learn in the process though.
the professionals i know come in all forms, shapes and sizes, literally. fat one, thin one, tall, short, long hair, no hair, black, white, yellow.
the one thing they have in common is... they all can DELIVER.
you gotta find yourself, your style and your voice.
also good attitude, work ethic and overall general character (honesty, patience, respect for others) travels faster than speed of light. ie. people know your reputation even before they know you !!
laughableinsanity
New member
ok so i have been drumming for almost 2 years with no teacher at all.
the only problem i have is tempo which my mates told me i kind of have a habit of slowing down when moving from chorus to 2nd verse of whichever song i'm playing.
is it time to look for a teacher, enroll into a school, get an official grade in drumming or should i rely on my own practical training?
the only problem i have is tempo which my mates told me i kind of have a habit of slowing down when moving from chorus to 2nd verse of whichever song i'm playing.
is it time to look for a teacher, enroll into a school, get an official grade in drumming or should i rely on my own practical training?
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vanhelSINGH
New member
Enrolling yourself into a school or getting an Official grading cert Does not Necessarily Eliminate the problem called time Keeping.
Different Students take on Different approaches to learning this art. If you have to Use Imagination to excel, Do it. Trust me, You're Not Crazy, Ur just becoming special. It's part of a Unique Musicians Package And that's Good. I once had an Autistic student and it took me 2 yrs to get his basic understanding for tempo rite, by finding out from his family what other skills he had and applying his "Sketching" interest to his Drum Set. (Yes, Sketching - Drawing Stuff. it was an interesting and rewarding experience because im kinda an Artist myself.)
Other than Guidance, the best way to learn is Also through Self Experience.
Get a Metronome, Train your discipline, Start at slow Tempos, Practice Consistency and the Feel will come grooving into you real soon.
Through that practice, Through that Frustrating era, you will Break it Down, Learn, Listen, Realize, Simplify, Understand, Apply, Modify, Experience it all again, and finally........ teach.
"Be Creative. Think outta the drums." - Jiv
Different Students take on Different approaches to learning this art. If you have to Use Imagination to excel, Do it. Trust me, You're Not Crazy, Ur just becoming special. It's part of a Unique Musicians Package And that's Good. I once had an Autistic student and it took me 2 yrs to get his basic understanding for tempo rite, by finding out from his family what other skills he had and applying his "Sketching" interest to his Drum Set. (Yes, Sketching - Drawing Stuff. it was an interesting and rewarding experience because im kinda an Artist myself.)
Other than Guidance, the best way to learn is Also through Self Experience.
Get a Metronome, Train your discipline, Start at slow Tempos, Practice Consistency and the Feel will come grooving into you real soon.
Through that practice, Through that Frustrating era, you will Break it Down, Learn, Listen, Realize, Simplify, Understand, Apply, Modify, Experience it all again, and finally........ teach.
"Be Creative. Think outta the drums." - Jiv
laughableinsanity
New member
thats cool, thanks jiv!
artofdrumming
New member
ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall and LCM (London College of Music) have grading for drumset proficiency as well as a teaching diploma in the instrument you chosen. You can google the various website for more information and the syllabus.
How long it takes depends on how proficient you get based on the various grades, I agree that certain drummers can get real good by performing via gigs, but for some, a well structured program helps you access your progress and level, afterall, a drum instructor is also a professional.
Do take note that the exams for certain board like trinity(rockschool) are only once a year and registration is this coming 20 july for november exams. you can check with kawai music school for more information. I think LCM exams is this august so I am not too sure if the registration are closed already or not.
Qualification for music school depends on the criteria set by the music school (though I think MOE has set some guidelines regarding this) as well as what level are the students they recruit. I mean is it really neccessary to have a pro teach and charge a pro price for a beginner? you decide.
If you really want to be a drum teacher, ask if you like teaching first as well as sharing and learning from your students, upgrade yourself often and practice to sharpen your playing skills. Most importantly, make drumming fun for yourself and your students!
Always be a student of your own trade, that way, you will respect your students and be respected as well.
Happy Drumming!
How long it takes depends on how proficient you get based on the various grades, I agree that certain drummers can get real good by performing via gigs, but for some, a well structured program helps you access your progress and level, afterall, a drum instructor is also a professional.
Do take note that the exams for certain board like trinity(rockschool) are only once a year and registration is this coming 20 july for november exams. you can check with kawai music school for more information. I think LCM exams is this august so I am not too sure if the registration are closed already or not.
Qualification for music school depends on the criteria set by the music school (though I think MOE has set some guidelines regarding this) as well as what level are the students they recruit. I mean is it really neccessary to have a pro teach and charge a pro price for a beginner? you decide.
If you really want to be a drum teacher, ask if you like teaching first as well as sharing and learning from your students, upgrade yourself often and practice to sharpen your playing skills. Most importantly, make drumming fun for yourself and your students!
Always be a student of your own trade, that way, you will respect your students and be respected as well.
Happy Drumming!
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