P5 - B2

Stick/mallet/hand control and position

  • Play using the full range of rudimental sticking patterns, demonstrating a full understanding of the mechanics involved (up strokes, down strokes, full strokes, tap strokes)
  • Play accents with both hands, using complex rhythmic patterns
  • Maintain an appropriate instrument grip when playing handheld instruments

Encourage learners to incorporate rudimentary sticking patterns into pieces to facilitate ease of playing where appropriate.

Through choosing appropriate exercises and pieces, continue to help learners to develop the speed at which they can play rudiments with control and accuracy.

Ensure that learners can distinguish between different roll types and their notation, e.g. trill sign and demisemiquaver abbreviation for closed and open rolls.

The type of roll used may be determined not only by the notation used but also the tempo required, adjusting stick heights when playing at faster tempi.

Ask learners to play eight single strokes with the weaker hand, then eight with the stronger hand, then seven, then six, etc. working down to one, then back up to eight, at faster tempi.

Explore the progression of this Learning Objective