Drum Instruction

[HangarFlying]

As I was reading the "Modern Drum Parts" thread, I thought of this side question. If I wanted to learn how to play the drum in order to play at events, would a drum teacher at a local music store be able to teach authentic drumming? Are the drumming rudiments used during the civil war the same that is teached today?

At some point, I do want to learn to play the drum, but do not live in the area near a drummer who has a good understanding of an accurate "Civil War Style" to learn from.

[fahtz]

Re: Drum Instruction

James,

You just bang on a drum...what could have changed?!?!?!?!?!?!?:D

Seriously though there are Two pretty good drummers in the KC area, One in St Louis, one near Pea Ridge, and one somewhere in eastern Iowa that I know of directly. Drummers in your area are not hard to come by, you just have to know what to look for. I can get you in contact with any of them if you want.

[Hardtack Herring]

Re: Drum Instruction

There are more rudiments today. So.... The good news is you only have to learn some of them. There are about 26 rudiments need for Civil War Drumming. A few others are used such as swiss tripplets.

The good news is we are about to release our new web site which has plenty of drum instruction on it with sheet music and audio files!

Please stay tuned. I say to be released soon but it could still take a little time. We want it to be just right and a good to tool to learn by.

Of course a good instructor would be great. Make sure they are a rudimental drummer. A teacher that plays the drum set or a marching band instructor may not be the best choice.

[YoungCampaigner]

Re: Drum Instruction

Mr. Boyle,

I had a teacher who I went to for several years who was trained in the rudimental style, but had never seen period music. I just told him what I was doing and let him see a few period manuals and he was fine with it. It was a learning experience for both of us. An instructor can help you with reading music and playing the technical parts correctly.

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Drum Instruction

James,

As mentioned earlier, the 26 NARD rudiments are a good starting point, but some of the 26 rudiments are different than the period rudiments.


Flamacue

The accent on the "e" only is wrong. The 1861-1865 manuals put the accent on the "1" only or on the "1" and the "e" of the 1-e-&-a.

Drag paradiddle No. 1

B&E (1861) sometimes add an extra drag, but the NARD way conforms with Ashworth (1812).
Drag paradiddle No. 2

Again, B&E sometimes add an extra drag. Hart sometimes puts the accent on the first tap after the last drag.

These are minor differences, but I consider the flamacue to be more than just a subtle difference considering how commonly it is used. I personally cannot stand the modern flamacue, but also know drummers who cannot stand the period-correct "double-accented" flamacue and insist on the post-war NARD version being the correct way. But don't take my word for it. Check out the period manuals and you can see for yourself.

Feel free to contact me and I will be happy to answer any other questions you may have. Good luck.

[HangarFlying]

Re: Drum Instruction

Thanks all for the replies.