RSL Drums Technical 2012-OnlineEdition 01sep2017

Drums
Technical Handbook
Every Technical Exercise you need for Rockschool examinations printed in full
All accompanying and supporting audio can be downloaded from: www.rslawards.com/downloads
Input the following code when prompted: V44LY3KJQ8
For more information, turn to page 4
www.rslawards.com
Acknowledgements
Published by Rockschool Ltd. © 2012

Catalogue Number RSK111206
ISBN: 978-1-910975-83-1
This edition published July 2017 | Errata details can be found at www.rslawards.com
AUDIO
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Langlei Studios by Duncan Jordan
Producer: James Uings
MUSICIANS
Stuart Clayton, Fergus Gerrand, Noam Lederman, Kit Morgan, Stuart Ryan, Ross Stanley
PUBLISHING
Music engraving by Simon Troup and Jennie Troup of Digital Music Art
Proof and copy editing by Noam Lederman, Stephen Lawson, Simon Pitt and James Uings
Cover design and book layout by Philip Millard
Cover photography by Adam Gasson
SYLLABUS
Syllabus director: Jeremy Ward
Instrumental specialists: Stuart Clayton, Noam Lederman and James Uings
RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

SPONSORSHIP
Noam Lederman plays Mapex Drums, PAISTE cymbals and uses Vic Firth Sticks
Rockschool would like to thank the following companies for donating instruments used in the cover artwork
PRINTING
Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by Caligraving Ltd
DISTRIBUTION
Exclusive Distributors: Music Sales Ltd
CONTACTING ROCKSCHOOL
www.rslawards.com
Telephone: +44 (0)845 460 4747
Email: info@rslawards.com
Drums Technical Handbook
2
Table of Contents
Introductions & Information
2 Acknowledgements
3 Table of Contents
4 Welcome to Rockschool Drums Technical Handbook
5 Frequently Asked Questions
6 Drums Notation Explained
Technical Exercises
7 Debut
11 Grade 1
15 Grade 2
19 Grade 3
23 Grade 4
27 Grade 5
31 Grade 6
37 Grade 7
45 Grade 8
Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com
3
Welcome to Rockschool Drums Technical Handbook
In this book you will find printed in full all the rudiments and exercises needed to complete the Technical Exercises section
of Rockschool’s Drums grade exams.
This book should be read in conjunction with the relevant grade books (Debut–Grade 8) published by Rockschool and the
Syllabus Guide for Drums. The Syllabus Guide can be downloaded for free from our website: www.rslawards.com
In the Rockschool grade exam system, the Technical Exercises form the core of each grade. Mastering them gives players
a valuable insight not only into the types of rudiments and exercises needed for any improvisational work they may be
required to do, but also into the other types of ‘unseen’ tests they will encounter in the exam, such as the Sight Reading,
Improvisation & Interpretation and Ear Tests, and at Grade 6 or higher, the Quick Study Piece.
This book is divided and ordered by grade, starting with Debut and then progressing from Grade 1 to Grade 8. Its many
features include the following:
■■At the start of the book we have included some Frequently Asked Questions which we hope will cover the enquiry
topics most commonly sent in to the Rockschool office by teachers and learners.
■■A grade-by-grade ordering of technical material showing all the exercises needed to complete the exam.
■■Each section is introduced by a page which summarises the content found in each grade. These pages show what’s new
grade-by-grade as well as showing, at a glance, the technical work required for each grade.

■■At Grades 6–8 the Technical Exercises conclude with a Stylistic Study. Candidates may choose one of the three Studies
to perform in the exam. Please note that the choice of style in the Study will dictate the style of the Quick Study Piece.
Throughout you will find tips on what the examiners are looking for as well as explanations of common musical terms.
Any suggestions made in the book are not meant to be exhaustive, but will give guidance on some of the more pressing
sticking issues, particularly at the higher grades.
We hope you find this book useful and that it will inspire you to approach the Technical Exercises in our exams without fear.
To make best use of it, you will need your kit and either a physical or a virtual metronome which can be downloaded as a
phone app for very little cost.
Audio
In addition to this book, we have also provided audio examples where appropriate. The following symbol is used to
indicated which exercises have accompanying audio:
P
These audio examples can be downloaded from RSL directly at www.rslawards.com/downloads
You will need to input this code when prompted: V44LY3KJQ8
The audio files are supplied in MP3 format. Once downloaded you will be able to play them on any compatible device.
4
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the examiners looking for?

The examiners are looking for fluency, accuracy and promptness of response. The assessment requirements for the technical
exercises for each grade can be found in the Syllabus Guide for Drums, available at www.rslawards.com
Will I have to play all the exercises listed in the exam?

At most grades, no. The examiner will usually ask you to perform a selection of the listed exercises at each grade. However,
at Debut and Grade 1 there are fewer questions and, therefore, the examiner may ask you to play all of them.
Will I be asked to perform any exercise from a grade lower than the one I am attempting?
No. You will be only be asked to play the exercises printed in the grade book.
What does q = 80 mean?

This is the tempo (speed) that the exercise is to be played at. If the exercise does not have a backing track you can use a
metronome to indicate the tempo at which the exercise is to be played. A metronome is a device that provides a steady pulse
to help you ensure that you play at a consistent tempo. Teachers often recommend that students buy a metronome as they
are also useful in helping to build speed towards the final required tempo.
Do I have to use a metronome in the exam?

No. However, before you start the section you will be asked if you would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear
a single bar of click before you commence the test. The only exceptions are the Technical Exercises in Grades 4–8, which
must be played with the metronome in the exam.

Can I use brushes, mallets or hot rods in the exam?
Alternative sticks can only be used in the performance pieces, if appropriate for the style.
Can I use practice pads in the exam?

No.
I have a four-piece drum kit (bass drum, snare, high tom and floor tom – no middle tom). What should I do when the
middle tom is notated?
Simply adjust and play the medium tom notes on either the high tom or floor tom. It will be useful to mention this to the
examiner before the exam commences.
Do I have to use certain sticking in the pieces?

No. This is completely open to your interpretation. However, the Technical Exercises should be played with the indicated
sticking patterns. Left-handed drummers should reverse the sticking.
What should I do if I make a mistake?

Stay calm and do your best to recover and carry on. The examiner is there to award marks for what you can do, not penalise
you for what you can’t.
Can I take this book into the exam?

No. The only book a candidate is allowed to take into a Rockschool examination is the grade book appropriate for the
examination being taken.
Can I have my grade book open at the relevant page of Technical Exercises in the exam?
Yes.
5
Drums Notation Explained
BASS DRUM & TOMS SNARE
œ œ œ œ e h f D
ã œ ã
Bass drum Floor tom Medium tom High tom Snare Ghost snare Rim-shot Cross stick Buzz snare
Strike snare drum Place palm on snare
and surrounding drum head and
rim at same time strike rim with stick
HI-HAT OTHER CYMBALS
+ ~~~
y B A C y o y 0 y 1 y
ã y y ã
Closed Half open Open Closed † Closed ‡ Hi-hat foot Hi-hat foot Ride Ride (bell) Crash Crash* Crash roll
closed open
Allow all cymbals to ring on unless explicitly stopped, as indicated by
† Used on the first closed hi-hat that follows an open hi-hat the keyword ‘Choke’. Occasionally ties may be used (*) to emphasise that
‡ The hi-hat is closed without being struck. Note that the hi-hat closed (cross) symbol may appear above cymbals should be allowed to ring on. This can avoid confusion during
drum voices other than the hi-hat (as shown above). This simply means another drum voice is being played syncopations and pushes.
at the same moment that the hi-hat is being closed.
GENERAL MUSIC NOTATION
>

œ Accentuate note (play it louder). ’ ’ ’ ’
Slashes are used to demarcate bars
during solos, fills, developments
and other ad lib. sections.
D.%. al Coda
Go back to the sign (%) then
.. ..
fi
play until the bar marked Repeat the bars between the
fi
To Coda then skip to the repeat signs.
section marked Coda.
.. ..
1. 2. When a repeated section has
Go back to beginning of song and different endings, play the first
D.C. al Fine play until bar marked Fine (end). ending only the first time and
the second ending only the
second time.
2
‘ «
Repeat the previous bar. In higher Repeat the previous two bars. In
grades these may also be marked higher grades these may also be
sim. or cont. sim. marked sim. or cont. sim.
œ œ œ œ >œ
R L L R R L L R
! ! !
In rudiments, each stem slash
subdivides the note value by half.
MUSICAL TERMS WITH SPECIFIC EXAMINATION DEFINITIONS
Fill Play an individual, stylistic fill. Develop Extend the musical part in a stylistically
appropriate manner.
Debut Drums
Cont. sim. Continue in similar way but vary the Rit. (ritardando) Gradually slow the tempo.
pattern slightly.
6
Debut
D ebut requires you to play single
strokes, double strokes and a single
paradiddle in eighth notes. These will all
Technical Work
Tempo q = 70
Single strokes
Group A
e
be performed on the snare. At the end of
Double strokes
the Technical Exercises you will be asked Group B
e

to perform a three-bar groove on snare, Paradiddles
Group C
e
hi-hats and bass drum followed by one
Group D Fill (q = 80)
of four notated fills along with a backing
Group E y
track. The fill may require you to play the
Group F y
snare drum as well as the high, medium
or floor toms.
7
Debut Technical Exercises
In this section the examiner will ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the three groups shown below.
In addition there is a fill exercise which you will play using the designated backing track. You do not need to memorise the
exercises (and can use the book in the exam) but the examiner will be looking for the speed of your response.
The stickings shown (L & R) are there as a guide for right-handed drummers. Left-handed drummers should reverse the
sticking patterns. Before you start the section you will be asked whether you would like to play the exercises along with the
click or hear a single bar of click before you commence the test. Groups A–C should be played at q = 70.
Group A: Single Strokes

In eighth notes
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R L R L R L R L
Group B: Double Strokes

In eighth notes
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R R L L R R L L

Group C: Paradiddles
Single paradiddle in eighth notes
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R L R R L R L L
Group D: Fill
P
In the exam you will be asked to play the three-bar groove shown followed by one of the notated fills chosen by the
examiner. You will perform this exercise to the backing track. The tempo is q = 80.
q = 80 Rock
y y y y y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y
A
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
R L R L R L R L
œ œ œ œ œ œ
B
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
R L R L R L R L
R R L L R R L L
R R L L R R L L
8
9
10

Grade 1
A t Grade 1 you will be expected
to perform single and double
strokes in alternate bars within the
Technical Work
Tempo q = 70
Single & double strokes

Group A
e
same exercises. One exercise consists of
eighth-note single and double strokes; Group B
x

the other comprises 16th-note singles and Paradiddles
Group C
x
doubles. The paradiddle is again a single;
Fill (q = 80)
Group D
however, it now contains 16 notes not
th
y
Group E
eighths. In the fill exercise – which uses y
Group F
a combination of 16th and eighth notes –
you will use the same parts of the kit as
you did in Debut, with the addition of
open hi-hats.
11
Grade 1 Technical Exercises
In this section the examiner will ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the three groups shown below.
click or hear a single bar of click before you commence the test. Groups A–C should be played at q = 70.
Group A: Single and Double Strokes

Single and double strokes in eighth notes, alternate bars
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R L R L R L R L R R L L R R L L
Group B: Single and Double Strokes

Single and double strokes in 16th notes, alternate bars
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L

Single paradiddle in 16th notes
R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L
Group D: Fill
P
examiner. The fills consist of alternating eighth- and 16th-note single and double stroke fills. You will perform this exercise to
the backing track. The tempo is q = 80.
q = 80 Funk
y A C y y y y y y A C y y y y y y A C y y y y y R L R L œR œL œR œL R L R L
A
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœœ
B
œ œ œ œ œœœœœœœœ
R R L L R R L L R R L L
œœœœœœœœœ œ œ œ
R L R L R L R L R L R L
œœœœœœœœœ œ œ œ
R R L L R R L L R R L L
12
13
14

Grade 2
G rade 2 combines single and double
strokes in one exercise consisting of
eighth and 16th notes. You will perform
Technical Work
Tempo q = 70

Group A
qx
a single paradiddle in 16th notes with
Single paradiddle with accents
accents now included. Flams (in quarter Group B
x

notes) and triplets (in eighths with Flams
Group C
q
alternate stickings) are also introduced
Triplets
at this grade. All of these exercises are Group D
qqq
3
performed on the snare. The fill exercise Group E

Fill (q = 80)
consists of eighth- and 16th-note single y

Group F
and double strokes, and flams. The fill

itself is played on the snare as well as the
high, medium and floor toms.
15
In this section the examiner will ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the four groups shown below.
click or hear a single bar of click before you commence the test. Groups A–D should be played at q = 70.

Single and double strokes in eighth and 16th notes, alternate bars
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R L R L R L R L R L R L R R L L R R L L R R L L
Group B: Paradiddles
Single paradiddle in 16th notes with accents
> > > >

R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L

Group C: Flams
Flams in quarter notes
4 j
ã 4 .. œ œ œ œ œ ..
L R R L L R R L
j j j
œ œ œ
Group D: Triplets
Triplets in eighth notes with alternate stickings
4 .. >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ ..

R L R L R L R L R L R L R L L R L L R L L R L L
ã4
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
16
Group E: Fill
P
examiner. The fills consist of alternating eighth- and 16th-note single and double strokes, and flams. You will perform this
exercise to the backing track. The tempo is q = 80.
q = 70 Rock
A
4 y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y œ œL œR œL œR œL œR œL R L R L
R
ã4 œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œœœœ
J J J
B
œœœœœ œ œœœœœ œ
R L R L R
L R L R L R L
C
LR
œ œ
LR
œ
J
œ œœœœœœœœ
R L R L R L R L
J
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ
R L R L R L R L LR
17
18

Grade 3
G rade 3 introduces single strokes in
eighth notes, eighth-note triplets
and 16th notes. Double strokes are in
Technical Work
Tempo q = 75
Single strokes
Group A 3
qq qqq qqqq
eighth and 16th notes and are performed
Double strokes
on snare and toms. The paradiddle is a Group B
ex

single in 16th notes with accents on snare Single paradiddle,
Group C (accents on snare & toms)
and toms. Flams are again featured in x
quarter notes and are joined in this grade Flams & drags
Group D
q
by drags of the same note value. The
Triplets
triplets are in eighth notes with accents Group E

(accents on snare & toms)
q q3 q
on snare and toms. In the fill exercise

Fill (q = 80)
Group F
you should play the snare as a cross stick.
The fill itself might include eighth notes,
16th notes, triplets or flams with some
combination of high, medium and floor
toms, and snare.
19
In this section the examiner will ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the five groups shown below.
click or hear a single bar of click before you commence the test. Groups A–E should be played at q = 75.

Single strokes in eighth notes, eighth-note triplets and 16th notes
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
3 3 3 3
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
[4]
3 3 3 3

Group B: Double Strokes
Double strokes in eighth and 16th notes, using snare and toms
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L
œL œL œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
ãœ œ œ œ
R R R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L
[3]
Single paradiddle in 16th notes with accents on snare and toms
4 >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ > œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ .

R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L
.
ã4 . œ .
20
Group D: Flams and Drags

Flams and drags in quarter notes
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
LR RL LR RL LL R RR L LL R RR L
j j j j
œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ
Group E: Triplets
Triplets in eighth notes with accents on snare and toms
4 > œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ > œ œ .

R L R L R L R L R L R L R L L R L L R L L R L L
.
ã4 . œ œ .
3 3 3 3 3 3
3 3

Group F: Fill
examiner. The fills consist of alternating eighth notes, triplet eighth notes, 16th notes and flams. The snare is to be played as a
cross stick. You will perform this exercise to the backing track. The tempo is q = 80.
q = 80 Funk
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y f y y yf y
4
ã 4 œ f. f ‰ œ f œœœœœ œ œœœœœœœœ
œ f. ‰ œ œ f. ‰ œ
f f
R L R L R L R L RR L R L L
J J J
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ
R L R L R L R L R L R L LR
œ œ œ œ œœœœœœ
R L R L R L R L R L
3 3
>œR L L >R L L >R L L Lj R

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ
3 3
3
21
22

Grade 4
G rade 4’s single and double strokes
exercise should be played the first
time with singles and the second time
Technical Work
Tempo q = 75

Group A 3
qq qqq qqqq
with doubles. There is a single paradiddle
Paradiddles
and a triple, both of which are in 16th Group B (single & triple)
x

notes and use the whole kit. Hands and
Flams
feet patterns are introduced at this grade, Group C (flam tap & ruffs)
qqq
as are the flam tap and ruff. Fills are
Hands & feet patterns
taken from the hands and feet patterns Group D 3
qq qqq qqqq
and during this part of the exam you will Group E Fill (q = 80)
be required to play the snare with rim- Group F y

shots and ghost notes. From this grade
on all exercises must be performed to a
metronome click.
23
In this section the examiner will ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the four groups shown below.
sticking patterns. All exercises must be played to a metronome click. Groups A–D should be played at q = 75.

Single and double strokes in eighth notes, eighth-note triplets and 16th notes. To be played first time through with singles
and second time with doubles
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L
3 3 3 3
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L
[4]
3 3 3 3

Single paradiddle in 16th notes using the whole kit
>R L R R >L R L L >R L R R >L R L L >R L R R >L R L L >R L R R L

4 . y
œ
y y œ y œ œ y
œ
y y œ y œ œ y
œ y y œ y œ œ y œ y y > ..
ã4 . œ œ œ œ œ
Œ Œ Œ Œ
Triple paradiddle in 16th notes using the whole kit
> > > >

R L R L R L R R L R L R L R L L R L R L R L R R L R L R L
4 . y
œ
y œ y œ y y œ y œ y œ y œ œ y
œ y œ y œ y y œ y œ y > ..
ã4 . œ œ œ œ œ
Œ Œ Œ Œ
Group C: Flams and Ruffs

Flam tap and ruffs in quarter notes
4 j> j> j> j> > > > >œ

ã 4 .. œ œ ..
L R R R L L L R R R L R L L R L R R L R L L R L R R L
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
24
Group D: Hands and Feet Patterns (sticking shown is optional)

Pattern 1
Fill A
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œR œL œR œL œR œL .
œ œ .
R L R L R L R L R L R L R R L
L R L
œ œ
Pattern 2
Fill B
œL œR œL
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .
œ œ œ œ .
L R L L R L L R L L R L L R L R L R L
œ œ œ
œ œ
J J
Pattern 3
Fill C
œR œL
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .
œ œ œ .
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
œ œ œ

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Pattern 4
Fill D
œR œL
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .
œ œ œ œ .
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
œ œ
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Group E: Fill
P
In the exam you will be asked to play the three-bar groove shown followed by the second bar of one of the hands and feet
patterns (Fills A–D) shown in Group D above chosen by the examiner. The snare is to be played with rim-shots and ghost
notes. You will perform this exercise to the backing track with a repeat. The tempo is q = 80.
q = 80 Rock
4 y y y y y y y y y y y y e y y yh y y y y y e y y yh y Fill
.
ã 4 . œ h. e œ œ h ..
œ h. œ œ œ h. œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’
25
26

Grade 5
exercise is the same as Grade 4’s
but at a faster tempo. The single and
Technical Work
Tempo q = 75– 9 0

Group A 3
qq qqq qqqq
triple paradiddles are performed on the
Paradiddles
whole kit with the bass drum following Group B (single & triple)
x

the right hand. Triplets, flam accents
Flams
and single drag taps are added to the Group C (flam accent & single drag trap)
3
qq qqq
flams and ruffs group. The snare work is
Rolls
completed by a five-stroke roll phrase. Group D
(five-stroke roll phrase)
Fills are taken from the hands and feet Hands & feet patterns
Group E 3
qq qqq qqqq
patterns and during this part of the exam
Fill (q = 90)
Group F
you will be required to play the snare
with rim-shots and ghost notes.
27
In this section the examiner will ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the five groups shown below.
sticking patterns. All exercises must be played to a metronome click. Groups A–D should be played at the tempo shown for
each exercise.

Single and double strokes in eighth notes, eighth-note triplets and 16th notes played alternately as a continuous exercise. To
be played first time with singles and second with doubles. The tempo is q = 80.
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L
3 3 3 3
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L
[4]
3 3 3 3

Single paradiddle in 16th notes using the whole kit (bass drum follows the right hand). The tempo is q = 80.
> > > > > > >

R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L R L R R L
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y >
4 œ œ
ã 4 .. œ œ œ œ œ≈ œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ≈ œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ≈ œ . œ
œ
œ œ œŒ
..
J J J
Triple paradiddle in 16th notes using the whole kit (bass drum follows the right hand). The tempo is q = 80.
> > > >

R L R L R L R R L R L R L R L L R L R L R L R R L R L R L
4 . y
œ
y œ y œ y y œ y œ y œ y œ œ y
œ y œ y œ y y œ y œ y > ..
ã4 . œ œ œ œ ≈ œ ≈ œ ≈ œ. œ œ œ œ ≈ œ ≈ œ Œœ
R R J R R
Group C: Flams and Ruffs

Flam accent and single drag tap. The tempo is q = 80.
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
L R L R R L R L L R L R R L L L R R RR L L L L R R RR L L
j j j j
3 3 3
28
Group D: Rolls
Five-stroke roll phrase. The tempo is q = 75.
4 . œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ D >œ D >œ D >œ D >œ ..

R L R L R L R L R L R L R R L L R L L R R L R R L L R L L R R L
ã4 .
Group E: Hands and Feet Patterns (sticking shown is optional)

Pattern 1
q = 90 Fill A
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .
œ œ .
R L R L R L R L R L R L R R L
L R L R L R L R L
œ œ
Pattern 2
q = 90
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œL œR œL œL œR œL ..
Fill B
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
L R L L R L L R L L R L LR LR
œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ
J J

Pattern 3
q = 90 Fill C
œ œ œ œ œ
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ
œ œ œ œ
œ .
œ œ œ .
R L R L R L R L L R R
L R L R L
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Pattern 4
q = 90 Fill D
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ
œ œ
.
œ .
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
œ œ
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Group F: Fill
P
In the exam you will be asked to play the three-bar groove shown followed by the second bar of one of the hands and feet
patterns (A–D) shown in Group E above chosen by the examiner. The snare is to be played with rim-shots and ghost notes.
You will perform this exercise to the backing track with a repeat. The tempo is q = 90.
q = 90 Funk
4 .. y y yh . y e y e y yh . y e y A Ch . y e y e y yh . y e y A Ch . y e y e y yh y ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
ã4 œ œ
Fill
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
29
30

Grade 6
exercise introduces sextuplets.
This rhythmic division also appears in
Technical Work
Tempo q = 80

Group A 3 6
qqq qqqq qqqqqq
the paradiddle exercise in the form of
Paradiddles
a paradiddle-diddle, which follows a Group B (flam paradiddle, paradiddle-diddle)
6
qqqq qqqqqq

flam paradiddle in 16th notes. You will
Group C Ratamacue single
be asked to demonstrate a ratamacue
Rolls
for the first time, which at this grade is Group D
(five- & nine-stroke roll phrases)
a single. The five-stroke roll phrase now Stylistic Study

q = 70–125
has accents on the toms and there is an Group E Rock/Metal

Funk
additional, nine-stroke roll phrase. From Jazz/Latin/Blues
Group F y
Grade 6 you will be expected to prepare
a Stylistic Study from a choice of three
groups of styles.
31
In this section the examiner will ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the four groups shown below. In
Group E you will be asked to prepare one Stylistic Study from the three printed. The choice of Stylistic Study will determine
the style of the Quick Study Piece. You do not need to memorise the exercises (and can use the book in the exam) but the
examiner will be looking for the speed of your response.
sticking patterns. All exercises must be played to a metronome click. Groups A–D should be played at q = 80.

Single and double strokes in triplet eighth notes and 16th notes played alternately as a continuous exercise. To be played first
time with singles and second with doubles
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L
[4]
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Flam paradiddle in 16th notes and paradiddle-diddle in sextuplets
4 . >œ œ œ œ œj >œ œ œ œ œj >œ œ œ œ œj >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ

LR L R R RL R L L LR L R R RL R L L R L R R L L R L R R L L R L R R L L R L R R
ã4 . œ
j
..
6 6 6 3
Group C: Ratamacues
Single ratamacue
4 .. œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ ..

L L R L R L R R L R L R L L R L R L R R L R L R
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
ã4
3 3 3 3
Group D: Rolls
1. Five-stroke roll phrase with accents on toms
> >œL >œL >œ >œ

4 œ œ >œ > >
R L R L R R L R L R R R L L R L L R R L R R L L R L L R R L
ã4 .
. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ D œ D D œ D ..
32
2. Nine-stroke roll phrase
4 . œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ >œ œ >œ ..

R L R L R L R L R L R R L L R R L L R L L R R L L R R L
ã4 .
æ æ
q = 70 Rock
44= 70B Rock B Bœ B B B Bœ B B B Bœ B B B B Bœ

ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ
œ Studies
q
Group E: Stylistic
B B
of the Quick4 Study Piece. œ
B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
You will prepare a technical study from one group of styles from the list below. Your choice of style will determine the style
ã q4= 70œ Rock œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ
P
B B Bœ B B B Bœ B B B Bœ B B B B Bœ
1. Rock/Metal: half open hi-hat, busy 16th-note bass drum pattern
4
ã q4= 70œ Rock œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ
B B Bœ B B B Bœ B B B Bœ B B B B Bœ
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ
B B œB B B B Bœ B B B œ œ œœ Œ œ œ
‰

ãœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
B B œB B B B Bœ B B B œ œ œœ Œ œ œ
‰
[3]
[3]
B B Bœ B B B Bœ B B B
ãœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ Œ ‰ œ œ
B B œB B B B Bœ B B B
[3]
œ œ œœ Œ ‰ œ œ
[3]
C y yœ y y y y yœ y œ y yœ y y y y yœ œ
ãœ œ œ . œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ . œ œ œ œ ≈ œ
C y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y y y y y
œ . œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ . œ œ ≈ œ œ œ
[5]
ãœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
[5]
C y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
ãœ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ
C y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
[5]
ãœ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ
[5]
Œ
y y yœ y y y y yœ
6 3
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
6
ã œ œ œ . œ œ ≈ œ œœœœœœ œ œ œ
œ œ Ó. 6
y y Œ
œy . y y y y œy
6 3
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
ã œ œ œ ≈ œœœœœœ œ
[7]
œ œ œ œ œ Ó. œ œ 33
Œ
[7]
6 3
6
2. Funk: snare drum ghost notes, quick open/closed hi-hats

P
q
q = 90 Funk
q== 90 Funk
yy yyh yy yyh yy e e yyh yy yyh e
ãã 4444 e e
œ e e œ h e
œ e œ. œ h.
. ee
œ e e œœ h œœ ee œ h e œ
≈≈ jj +
y yy yy yhy yy yy yy AA ..
ãã œœ ee ee œœ hh
œœ
e
œœ .. œœ h .. ee
œœ
e ee œ
œ
hh œœ ee œœ hh œœ ee
[3]
[3]
[3]

yy yhyh ee yy yhhy . yy ee ee yhyh ee yy yhyh
ãã œœ ee ee œœ œœ œœ .. œœ .
ee
œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
[5]
[5]
[5]
++ ++
yy e e hhyy ee yy yyh yy e e hhyy .. yy œ œ œ œ ≈≈œ AA AA
ãã œœ e e œ œœ œœ .. œœ h .. ee œœ e e œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œœ
[7]
[7]
[7]
34
3. Jazz/Latin/Blues: polyrhythm, advanced co-ordination

P
q
q
q=
= 125
= 125
Jazz
Jazz >> >>
yy yy yy yy yy œœyy yy yy yy y yy œœyy
125 Jazz
ãã 444 ..
. ŒŒ y ŒŒ y ŒŒ yy ‰‰y œœ yy
JJ
>>
j j j j
3
3
yy œ ‰ yyj ‰ œyyj yy œœ ‰ yyj ‰ œyyj .

3 3 3 3
3 3 3
yy yy yy yy yy œyy
3 3 3
ãã ŒŒ ŒŒ ŒŒ œ œ Œ œ œ .
[3]
yy yy yyœ Œ yyœ
[3]
[3]

3
3 3
3
yy yy yy yy yy yy yy yy yy yy yy yy
3 3
ãã .. œœ œœ œœ œœ
. ŒŒ yy œœ y œ œœ yy œ y œœ
[5]
[5]
[5]
‰‰ JJ JJy ‰‰ JJœ ‰‰ JJœ JJy ‰‰ JJ
3
3 3
3
3 3
>>
1.
1. 2.
2.
1. 2.
3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
y yy y yy yy œ œ yy yy yy yy yy yy yy
3 3 3 3 3 3
ãã yœœ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ .. œœ œœ œœ œœ ŒŒ
yy ‰‰ JJœ Jy ‰ œœJJ œ y œ œœ yy . œ y œœ œœ
‰‰ ‰‰ JJœ JJy ‰‰ JJœ ‰‰ ‰‰ JJ ‰‰ ‰‰ JJœ JJy ‰‰ JJ
J
[7]
[7]
[7]
3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3 3 3
3 3 3 3
3
3 3 3
35
36

Grade 7
G rade 7’s single stroke exercise
includes quintuplet and sextuplet
16th notes as well as septuplet 16th and
Technical Work
Tempo q = 65–85
Single strokes
3 5
Group A q qq qqq qqqq qqqqq
32nd notes. The paradiddle exercise now 6 7
q q q q q q q q q q q q q qqqqqqqq
features accents on the toms, the flam is Paradiddles

(flam paradiddle, paradiddle-diddle)

Group B
a pataflafla, and there is a double and a qqqq qqqqqq
6
single ratamacue. You will be required to Group C Flams pataflafla
perform a seven-stroke roll phrase and Ratamacue

Group D
(double & single)
a nine-stroke phrase with accents on the
Rolls
toms. A Stylistic Study is included in this Group E
(seven- & nine-stroke roll phrase)
grade, which you must prepare from a Stylistic Study

q = 85–100
choice of three groups of styles. Group F Rock/Metal
Funk
Jazz/Latin/Blues
37
In this section the examiner will ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the five groups shown below. In
Group F you will be asked to prepare one Stylistic Study from the three printed. The choice of Stylistic Study will determine
sticking patterns. All exercises must be played to a metronome click. Groups A–D should be played at the tempo shown for
each exercise.

Single strokes in quarter notes, eighth notes, eighth-note triplets, 16th notes, quintuplet 16th notes, sextuplet 16th notes,
septuplet 16th notes and 32nd notes. The tempo is q = 65.
4 >œ >œ >œ >œ >œ œ >œ œ >œ œ >œ œ

ã4
> >œ >œ >œ

ãœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

[3]
3 3 3 3
> >œ >œ >œ

ãœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
[4]
> >œ >œ >œ

ãœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
[5]
5 5 5 5
> > > >

ãœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
[6]
6 6 6 6
>œ œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

ã
[7]
7 7 7 7
>œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

ã
[8]
38
Flam paradiddle in 16th notes and paradiddle-diddle in sextuplets with accents on toms. The tempo is q = 80.
4 > œ œ œ œj >œ œ œ œ œj > œ œ œ œj >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ > œ œ œ

LR L R R R L R L L LR L R R R L R L L R L R R L L R L R R L L R L R R L L R L L R
.
ã4 . œ œ
j
œ œ ..
6 6 6
3
Group C: Flams
Pataflafla. The tempo is q = 80.
4 . >œ >œ >œ >œ >œ >œ >œ >œ ..

L R L R R L L R L R R L L R L R R L L R L R R L
ã4 . œ
j
œ œ œ
j
œ
j
œ œ œ
j
œ
j
œ œ œ
j
œ
j
œ œ œ
j

Group D: Ratamacues
Double and single ratamacue phrase. The tempo is q = 80.
ã 44 .. œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ ..

L L R L L R L R L R R L R R L R L R L L R L R L
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 3 3
Group E: Rolls
1. Seven-stroke roll phrase. The tempo is q = 85.
> œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ >œ

ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ ..
R L R L R R L L R R L L R L R L R L L R R L L R R L
! ! ! ! ! !
2. Nine-stroke roll phrase with accents on toms. The tempo is q = 85.
> > > >œ

ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
R L R L R L R L R L R R L L R R L L R L L R R L L R R L
œ œ œ ..
æ æ
39
Group F: Stylistic Studies

P
of the Quick Study Piece.
1. Rock/Metal: bell of ride 7/8 pattern, five-stroke roll
q
q = 90
90 Rock
q== 90 Rock
Rock
.. y y œ0 y 0 y‰ 0œ y 0 yœ 0 y 0 yœ
ã 778
q = 90 Rock
...
yœ
œ y 0œœJ y‰‰ 0œœ y œJ0
œ yœœ .. 0 œœ yœœ 0Œ y 0œœ yœœJ
ã8 œ J œJJ ‰ J œ. œ Œ œJJ J
J J
00 yy œ00œ y 00 yy 0œ0 yy 00 yœy 00 . yy 00 œœyy œ ..

‰yy ‰y 0Jœœ 0 œœ yœœ ‰0 . ‰

ã œ0 y Jœ0 œ0œ yœœ .. y œœ ‰0 œy œœ ...
ã œœ J
‰ JœJ ‰
J œ. œ ‰. RœR
J R
[3]
[3]
[3]
[3]
oo
y‰@@@
o
..
yy y y y y≈ y y y y y‰@@@ y C≈ y
ãã
..
yœ .
. y œ œyœ y‰ yœ y≈ œ œyœ œy .. y œ œœy ‰y yœ C≈ œ yœœ
ã œ. œ ‰ Jœ ≈ œ œ. œ ‰ Jœ ≈ œ
J J
[5]
[5]
[5]
[5]
yy@@ ŒŒ
1. 2.
yy yy yy yy y y yy yy yy yy yy yy
1. 2.
œœ@@ œœ@@
1. 2.
œœ
ãã yœœ .. y œœ œœyœ ‰‰y@ ≈yy œ œyœy y œ yœœœ œœ œœ œœ .
... y œ œœœy œœ Œ .
...
1. 2.
‰ œyJ ≈ œ œ
yœ . œ@ œ œ œ œ .
yœœ .. œ@ œ .
ã œ. œ Jœ œ. œ œ. œ
J
[7]
[7]
[7]
40 [7]
2. Funk: linear funk, nine-stroke roll

P
>> >> >>
q = 85 Funk
>>
q = 85 Funk
> > >

q = 85 Funk
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y >
ãã 444 œœ y y œœ hhh y y œœ y y œœ y hhh y y œœ œœ y y œœ hhh y y œœ y œœœ œœœ œœ hhh œœœ œœœ œœ
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
>> >> >>

yy yy > y y yy yy yy >h yy yy yy yy > y y >>>
y y h y y œæ
œœ y y œœ hh y y œœ œœææ
h
ããã œœ y y œœ hh y y œœ y y œœ y hh y y œœ œœœ ... œœœ
[3] œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

[3]
[3]
>> >> >> >>

yy yy > yy yy yy yy > yy AA CC yy > yy yy >h @
ãã y œœœ œœ y hhh œœ y y œœ y œœ y hhh y A C œœ œ y hh œ y y œœœ œœœ œ œ
œ h hh œ œœœ@@
[5]ã œ œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
[5]
[5]
>> >> >>

> >>
yy yy yy yy yy yy > yy AA CC yy > y æ >h
ãã y œœœ œœ y hhh œœ y y œœ y œœ y hhh y A C œœœ œ y hhh œ yy œ œœœææ hh
[7]ã œ œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ
[7]
[7]
41
3. Jazz/Latin/Blues: bell of ride 6/8 pattern, splashed hi-hats

P
>>
q.= 100 Afro Cuban
q..= 100
>
Afro
Afro Cuban
yy
q = 100 Cuban
00 00 00 >h 00 00
ãã 68668 ..
q.= 100 Afro Cuban
y ee 0 e 0 0 0 ee 0 œœ œœ
ã 86 ..
..
œœy ..
œyy .. e
e 0 yyeee .. 0 0 yyhhh .. 0 e
e yy0 .. œ œ
ã8 œy .. y. y. y. œ œ
y. y. y.
>
00 00 00 00 >> 0 00
ee e >h 00 h œœ œœ
ãã
ã œyœ00 .. e 0
0 yyeee ..
0
0
0
0 yyhhh .. 0 hh 0
yy0 .. œ
œ
œ
œ
ã yœy .. e y. y. h y.
œy .. y. y. y.
[3]
[3]
[3]

[3]
>>>
00 ee 00 e 00 00 >h 000 00
ãã œy0œ0 .. e 0
0 yeeey ..
0
0
0
0 yhhhy .. 0 eee 0
y0y ..
œœ
œ
œœ
œ
ã œyy .. e y+ . yo . e y.
ã œyoo .. œ œ
y++ . yoo . y+++ .
[5]
o
[5]
[5]
o + o +
[5]
00 >>>
ã 0 eee 000 eeey . 000 000 >hhh œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœy . œœœ œœœ .
ãã œœyyœy0 .... 0 0 0 y. œ œ ...
ã e yye .. yyho .. œ œ œ yyœ .. ..
œyoo .. y+++ . yoo . y+++ .
[7]
o
[7]
[7]
o + o +
[7]
42
43
44

Grade 8
G rade 8’s nontuplet and double
quintuplet 32nd notes are performed
as single strokes (there are no double
Technical Work
Tempo q = 65–90
Single strokes
3 4
q qq qqq qqqq
strokes in this section of the Technical Group A

5
qqqqq qqqqqq qqqqqqq
6 7
9
qqqqqqqq qqqqqqqqq
Exercises at this grade). The paradiddle 5
qqqqq qqqqq
5

exercise contains a paradiddle-diddle Paradiddles
(paradiddle-diddle
and alternative paradiddle-diddle in Group B
alternative paradiddle-diddle)
6
qqqqqq
sextuplets around the kit. The Swiss

Triplets
Army triplet is introduced in an exercise Group C
(Swiss Army triplet & pataflafla)
which also contains a pataflafla. At Ratamacue

Group D
(triple)
this grade you must perform a triple
Rolls
ratamacue, there are combined rolls and Group E (seven-stroke roll phrase with
accent on toms, combined rolls)
the seven-stroke roll phrase features
accents on the toms. A Stylistic Study is Stylistic Study
q = 80–200
Group F Rock/Metal
included, which you must prepare from a Funk
Jazz/Latin/Blues
choice of three groups of styles.
45
In this section the examiner will ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the five groups shown below. In
Group E you will be asked to prepare one Stylistic Study from the three printed. The choice of Stylistic Study will determine
sticking patterns. All exercises must be played to a metronome click. Groups A–E should be played at the tempo shown for
each exercise.

Single strokes in quarter notes, eighth notes, eighth-note triplets, 16th notes, quintuplet 16th notes, sextuplet 16th notes,
>>œ >>œ >>œ >>œ >>œ >>œ >>œ >>œ

septuplet 16th notes, 32nd notes, nontuplet 32nd notes and double quintuplet 32nd notes. The tempo is q = 65.
ãã 4444 >œœ >œœ >œœ >œœ >œœ œœ

œ >œœ œœ
œ >œœ œœ
œ >œœ œœ
œ
ã4
> > > > >>œ >>œ >>œ >>œ

ã >>œœœ œ
œœ
œœ >>œœœ œ
œœ
œœ >>œœœ œ
œœ
œœ >>œœœ œ
œœ
œœ >œœ œœ œ
œœ
œœ >œœ œœ œœ œœ >œœ œœ œœ œœ >œœ œœ œœ œœ
ãã
[3]
[3] 3
œ
3
œ
3
œ
3
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
[3]
[3] 3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
[3] 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3
ãã >>>œœ œœœ œœ œœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœ œœ œœ >>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
[5]
[5]
[5] 5 5 5 5
[5] 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5
[5] 5 5 5 5
5 5 5 5
>>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ
ããã œ œ œ œ
[6]
[6]
[6] 6 6 6 6
[6] 6
6 6
6 6
6 6
6
[6] 6 6 6 6
6 6 6 6
>>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœ œœœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ >>>œœ œœœ œœ œœœ œœ œœ œœœ
ããã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
[7]
[7]
[7] 7 7 7 7
[7] 7
7 7
7 7
7 7
7
[7] 7 7 7 7
7 7 7 7
>>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ >>>œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ
ããã œ œ œ œ
[8]
[8]
[8]
[8]
[8]
>>œ >>œ >>œ >>œ

ãã >œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ >œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ >œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ >œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ

ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
[9]
[9]
[9]
[9]
9 9 9 9
[9] 9
9 9
9 9
9 9
9
9
9 9
9 9
9 9
9
>>œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ >>œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ >>œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ >>œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ

ãã >œœ œœ œœ >œœ >œœ >œœ
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
[10]
[10]
[10]
[10]
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
[10] 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5
46 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
5
Paradiddle-diddle and alternative paradiddle-diddle in sextuplets around the kit. The tempo is q = 90.
>œ >y > >œ > >y >

R L R R L L R L R R L L R L R R L L R L R R L L R L L R R L R L L R R L R L L R R L R L L R R L
4 . >
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ >
œ œ œ œ œ œ > œ œ œ œ œ >
œ œ œ œ œ y y œ œ œ œ >œ .
ã4 . œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œœ .
6 6 6
6
6 6 6 6
Group C: Triplets
Swiss Army triplet and pataflafla. The tempo is q = 85.
> j> j> j> >œ œ œ œj>œ œj>œ œ œ œj>œ œj>œ œ œ œj>œ œj>œ œ œ œj>œ .
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
LR R L LR R L LR R L LR R L LR L R RL LR L R RL LR L R RL LR L R RL
.
j j
œ œ
3 3 3 3

Group D: Ratamacues
Triple ratamacue. The tempo is q = 85.
> >
L LR L LR L LR L R L R RL R RL R RL R L R LLR LLR LLR L R L RR L RR L RR L R L R
3
y y y
3
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ œ œ >œ y œœy œœy œ œ œ œœœ ..

œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ
3 3
Group E: Rolls
1. Seven-stroke roll phrase with accents on toms. The tempo is q = 90.
R
>R
L R L R
>
L L R R L L R L R
>
L R L L
>
R R L L R R L
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
! ! ! ! ! !
2. Combined rolls. The tempo is q = 90.
4 >œ >œ œ œ œ œ >œ >œL >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ >œ

ã 4 .. D D D D ..
R R L L R L L R R L R R L L R R L L R L L R R R R L L R L L R R L L R R R L L R R L
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
47
Group F: Stylistic Studies

P
of the Quick Study Piece.
1. Rock/Metal: rhythmic displacement, 5/4 co-ordination
q = 135 Rock
y A A A Ah A A A
4 .
ã4 . œ h ‰ ‰ h ‰ h
œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ œ J
J
A A A A Ah A Ah Ah

ãœ œ œ h ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ .. 45
J J
[3]
5 y y 0 y yh y y y y y 0 y 0 y yh y y y
.
ã4 . œ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ
[5] J J J
0 y 0 y yh y y‰ y ‰y y y yh y y yh y œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
ãœ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ Ó
[7] J J J
48
2. Funk: linear funk with 32nd notes, stepped hi-hat

P
> > > > >

q = 80 Funk
4 yyœœy y y œ y h y y y h y y y y œ œ A
ã4 œ h œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ
> > > > >

Cy y y y œ y y y y y y y y
œœ œ h h œ œ h œ œ
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

[3]
>
y y y y y y y œ y y y y y >
ã œ œ œ h œ œ œ œ œ
[5]
y y y y y y
> >
y y œ y y œ œ y y h œ yyœœy h y y
ã y y y œ œ œ œ Ó
[7]
49
3. Jazz/Latin/Blues: 3–2 and 2–3 clave

P
j j
q = 200
‰ ‰
Salsa
4 . y
f y y y y y fy fy y y
.
ã4 y ‰ œyf Œ œyf Œ y œ y œ
J
‰ yj ‰ j 2.
1.
y y y fœ y y fy œ fy y œ y .. y fy œ fy
ã yf ‰ œyf Œ y Œ y y Œ y y
Œ
[3]
J

‰ j ‰ j
y fy fy y y fy y fy y y
ã .. Œ y œ y œ y ‰ œy Œ
f
œy ..
[6]
J
‰ j ‰ j
y fy fy y y fy y fœy y f
ã Œ y œ y œ y ‰ y Œ œy
[8]
J
j j j j
3 3 > Œ
œ
ãœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ h
[10]
50

RSL Drums Technical 2012-OnlineEdition 01sep2017

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

RSL Drums Technical 2012-OnlineEdition 01sep2017

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Drums

All accompanying and supporting audio can be downloaded from: www.rslawards.com/downloads

Input the following code when prompted: V44LY3KJQ8

For more information, turn to page 4

Published by Rockschool Ltd. © 2012

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

Introductions & Information

Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

You will need to input this code when prompted: V44LY3KJQ8

What are the examiners looking for?

Will I have to play all the exercises listed in the exam?

What does q = 80 mean?

Do I have to use a metronome in the exam?

Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

Can I use practice pads in the exam?

Do I have to use certain sticking in the pieces?

What should I do if I make a mistake?

Can I take this book into the exam?

BASS DRUM & TOMS SNARE

HI-HAT OTHER CYMBALS

GENERAL MUSIC NOTATION

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

MUSICAL TERMS WITH SPECIFIC EXAMINATION DEFINITIONS

Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

Group A: Single Strokes

Group B: Double Strokes

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

Single & double strokes

Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

Group A: Single and Double Strokes

Group B: Single and Double Strokes

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

Single & double strokes

Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

performed on the snare. The fill exercise Group E

consists of eighth- and 16th-note single y

and double strokes, and flams. The fill

Group A: Single and Double Strokes

> > > >

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

4 .. >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ ..

Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

triplets are in eighth notes with accents Group E

on snare and toms. In the fill exercise

Group A: Single Strokes

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

4 >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ > œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ >œ œ œ œ .

Group D: Flams and Drags

4 > œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ > œ œ .

Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

>œR L L >R L L >R L L Lj R

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

Single & double strokes

Drums Technical Handbook RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

be required to play the snare with rim- Group F y

Group A: Single and Double Strokes

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / riteshkhokhar@rslawards.com

>R L R R >L R L L >R L R R >L R L L >R L R R >L R L L >R L R R L