DRUMS 2018 - SYLLABUS SHOWCASE

Get a taster of just some of the exciting new songs featuring on our new Rock & Pop 2018 Drums syllabus. Session drummer Matt Brooks puts his spin on songs from the new syllabus and tells you why he thinks they’re so great to play. The songs featured are: 'No One Knows' by Queens Of The Stone Age, 'Don't Wanna Fight' by Alabama Shakes, 'Uptown Funk' by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, 'Under The Bridge' by Red Hot Chili Peppers and 'Sir Duke' by Stevie Wonder.

TECHNICAL FOCUS DEMO VIDEOS

Learn how to master the skills that appear in some of our technical focus songs for Drums 2018 with professional session musician David Dyson. These videos focus on a range of techniques from triplet flams to trashy hi-hat. David is a professional drummer based in London. He has worked with artists including Gregory Porter, Professor Green, Izzy Bizu and Kelis, and with producers including Guy Chambers, Dallas Austin and Gus Pirelli. He’s played at Buckingham Palace, the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Opera House, Ronnie Scott’s and at festivals including Latitude and Glastonbury. He also teaches and notable students include Jim Sclavunos of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

Shifting backbeat in 'Wake Up' by Rage Against The Machine

IMPROVISATION DEMO VIDEOS

Professional musician JJ Wheeler takes you through a range of different styles and genres, looking at ways to approach improvising on drums. JJ Wheeler is a professional touring and session drummer and percussionist, teacher and record label producer. He has worked with artists such as Celine Dion, worked on West End musicals including The Bodyguard and regularly performs in a range of bands across the UK and abroad. JJ runs workshops, clinics and masterclasses all over the world, and is also a Trinity Rock & Pop examiner.

Improvising in a Metal Style

ROCK & POP DRUMS SESSIONS

PERFORMANCES BY THE PROFESSIONALS - MATT BROOKS

Matt Brooks is a London-based session drummer, musical director and band fixer currently working with Matt Wills (Virgin EMI) among others. He’s played drums for artists including Nicole Scherzinger, Meghan Trainor, Raleigh Richie, Marcus Collins, and has played all over the world at venues such as the O2 Arena, Le Trianon in Paris, and at festivals such as Glastonbury, V Festival and SXSW in Texas. Watch him put his spin on:

• 'NO ONE KNOWS', QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE: Watch video
• 'UPTOWN FUNK', MARK RONSON FT. BRUNO MARS: Watch video
• 'DON'T WANNA FIGHT', ALABAMA SHAKES: Watch video
• 'UNDER THE BRIDGE', RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: Watch video
• 'SIR DUKE', STEVIE WONDER: Watch video

PERFORMANCES BY THE PROFESSIONALS - DAVID DYSON

David Dyson is a professional drummer based in London. He has worked with artists including Gregory Porter, Professor Green, Izzy Bizu, Louis Tomlinson and Kelis, and with producers including Guy Chambers, Dallas Austin and Gus Pirelli. He’s played at Buckingham Palace, the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Opera House, Ronnie Scott’s and at festivals including Latitude and Glastonbury. He also teaches and notable students include Jim Sclavunos of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Watch him put his spin on:

• 'WAKE UP', RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE: Watch video
• 'FALLIN'', ALICIA KEYS: Watch video
• 'DO I WANNA KNOW', ARCTIC MONKEYS: Watch video

FURTHER SUPPORT RESOURCES

Explore the wide range of support resources in our Practice Room:

• Watch professional session musicians put their spin on songs in our Rock & Pop Sessions
• Study specific skills and techniques in our Technical Focus Demo Videos
• Work on improvisation through our Improvising in a Style Articles
• Find out what our examiners are looking for in our Meet The Examiner Articles
• Get inspired about building a career in the music industry with our Meet The Musician Articles
• Find out what top tips teachers working with rock and pop students have in our Teaching Tips Articles
• Hear young professional musicians talk about the music industry in our Pro Skills Videos
• Listen to the artist's original versions of the Rock & Pop 2018 for inspiration in our Spotify playlists

MORE TO EXPLORE