e - M U S I C L A B    CURRICULUM


The e-MusicLab curriculum and delivery system is unique and will never be duplicated in any other venue. e-MusicLab was based originally on the playing and teaching experiences of it's developer, John Gates. It now incorporates the teaching/instructional materials from many of the best players and educators in the world (see the advisory board).

e-MusicLab has recently reached an agreement with Warner Brothers Music which owns the publishing catalogues for Belwin Music, one of the largest publishers of school / education related materials and the DCI Video instructional video catalog, the largest collection of instructional video. With this agreement e-MusicLab will be able to present instruction from the books and videos of drummers like Dave Weckl, David Garibaldi, Gary Chaffee, a veritable who's who in the drumming performing and educational field.

Included in this catalog of resources are materials from faculty members at the premier jazz education programs in the country: Ed Soph (Stan Kenton, Woody Herman) and John Gates (L.A. Studio, Broadway, 'the road') from The University of North Texas, the home of the fabled One O'Clock band, John Riley (a UNT grad, Woody Herman, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra), from the Manhattan School of Music jazz faculty in NYC, Alan Dawson and Gary Chaffee (teacher to Vinnie Colaiuta and Steve Smith among LOTs of others) from the Berklee School of Music in Boston. This list will grow as the word gets out and new contributors are enlisted.

To meet the needs of aspiring drummers everywhere these player/educators will have major input into the development of e-MusicLab program focus and design, implementation of technologies (video, audio, MIDI) and lesson design and content.

In addition to e-MusicLab utilizing the publication and video content from the Warner Brothers catalog, e-MusicLab, will, from time to time create special segments targeting specific issues. These productions will be marketed as special events.

e-MusicLab will pay strict attention to meeting the requirements for the following:

e - M U S I C L A B    CONTENTS


NOTE: The instruction in each of these areas will start with the most basic information in order to address the needs of music educators.

  1. Notation & Reading -- The purpose of this section is to develop the student's snare drum reading skills. For those who 'play by ear' and want to learn to read this section will start from the very beginning. Midi files (with accompaniment) of all material will be available.

  2. Rudiments -- This section is designed to present a thorough discussion of the snare drum rudiments -- the scales for drums.

    Planned is a video presentation by a champion rudimental player/instructor (Thom Hannum), symphony snare drummer (Anthony Cirone), and drumset player (Greg Bissonette) demoing the similarities and differences of the performance of rudiments and how to apply them to the drumset.

    Also included in this book will be a section containing MIDI files of the most popular Interscholastic League solos and ensembles. The percussion ensemble files will be created so that the student can drop out (mute/solo) his/her part and practice "with the ensemble".

  3. Drumset Instruction -- This section will have several subsets:

    1. Coordination and Independence Studies -- This section would begin with very basic instruction (Riley, Soph) and perhaps include Gary Chaffee, Gary Chester (Fred Klatz), David Garibaldi and others. Exploration of Ted Reed's Syncopation and Stone's Stick Control would be included. Special attention should be given to the study of "playing over an ostinato" independence techniques as currently being played by Terry Bozzio, Marco Minnemann, Horacio Hernandez and Dave Weckl.

    2. Drumset Techniques Studies -- This section would include a wide variety of authors possibly including but not limited to: Colin Baily (Bass Drum Control), Ted Reed (Drum Solos and Fill-Ins), Rick Latham (Advanced Funk Studies), Joe Cusatis (Rhythmic Patterns), etc.

    3. Double Bass Drumming -- There are many potential authors contributing studies on double bass drumming (Collective). It would be interesting and informative to research jazz drummers who have used double bass drum setups -- Sam Woodyard, Jack Sperling, Louis Bellson, etc. for 50/60 years!

    4. Drumset Soloing -- A very important facet in the development of aspiring professionals is learning to solo. e-MusicLab would take the drum solos from DCI Videos by Dave Weckl, >Steve Gadd, and others and present them as MIDI files so that the solos can be played slowly for study by the student.

  4. Sight-Reading -- The ability to sight-read is one of the most crucial skills to develop in preparing for a career as a pro player. This section will be designed to provide the student an opportunity to "play" in any format - jazz trio - big band - fusion - rock - Latin - Broadway - etc. (Weckl, Soph, Riley, Gates, Wolpe)

  5. Latin Percussion -- The Latin Introduction will be done by Richard Gajate Garcia and will be based on his very successful Latin Percussion clinic and new Warner Brothers Book. In addition, e-MusicLab will present the works - books - videos of many players from the WB/DCI instructional video and books catalogue on a wide variety of Latin styles and rhythms applied both to the traditional instruments and drumset.

    In addition this book should include the following:

    1. a discussion of the clavé;
    2. a discussion of the evolution of the instruments;
    3. a discussion of the social aspects of the evolution of "Latin Percussion".

  6. Styles and Analysis -- (Joey Baron, John Riley) This section could include: (1) history of percussion (concert instruments); (2) history of the drumset; (3) history of various forms of music with particular attention paid to the participation and contributions of drummers/percussionists; and (4) biographies of percussionists and drummers. These could be based on academic and popular books, theses, articles, etc. already written and enhanced with appropriate audio and video clips.

  7. InSights -- Modern Drummer has its "Ask A Pro" column. (An opportunity might exist to use the Modern Drummer material for the advertising exposure.) e-MusicLab could utilize (MD Archived) videotaped clinics and interviews, as well as outake comments on the Warner Brothers Masters, to create a section of responses to questions from clinic audiences, and e-mail submissions -- a perfect place for the use of 'non-playing' video clips. This could be the perfect place to address important subjects, which don't warrant an entire book.