RSL Drums Companion 2012-OnlineEdition 01sep2017

Drums
Companion Guide
Multiple examples of the ‘unseen tests’ in Rockschool exams for practice and improved exam performance
All accompanying and supporting audio can be downloaded from: www.rslawards.com/downloads
Input the following code when prompted: DJ6ZTW268B
For more information, turn to page 4
www.rslawards.com
Acknowledgements
Published by Rockschool Ltd. © 2012

Catalogue Number RSK111203
ISBN: 978-1-910975-80-0
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, Stuart Ryan, Ross Stanley
PUBLISHING
Music engraving and book layout by Simon Troup and Jennie Troup of Digital Music Art
Proof and copy editing by Noam Lederman, Stephen Lawson, Simon Pitt, James Uings and Miguel Andrews
Cover design by Philip Millard
Cover photography by Adam Gasson
SYLLABUS
Syllabus director: Jeremy Ward
Instrumental specialists: Stuart Clayton, Noam Lederman and James Uings
SPONSORSHIP
RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

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: [email protected]
Drums Companion Guide
2
Table of Contents
Introductions & Information
2 Acknowledgements
3 Table of Contents
4 Welcome to the Rockschool Companion Guide for Drums
5 Drum Notation Explained
Sight Reading
6 Debut
8 Grade 1
10 Grade 2
12 Grade 3
14 Grade 4
16 Grade 5
Improvisation & Interpretation
18 Grade 1
20 Grade 2
22 Grade 3

24 Grade 4
26 Grade 5
Ear Tests
28 Debut
32 Grade 1
36 Grade 2
40 Grade 3
44 Grade 4
48 Grade 5
52 Grade 6
56 Grade 7
60 Grade 8
Quick Study Pieces
64 Grade 6
70 Grade 7
76 Grade 8
General Musicianship Questions
82 Debut & Grade 1

83 Grades 2 & 3
84 Grades 4 & 5
85 Grades 6 & 7
86 Grade 8
3
Welcome to the Rockschool Companion Guide for Drums
This book is designed to give teachers, learners and candidates multiple examples of the ‘unseen’ tests that are to be found
within each Rockschool grade exam at Debut and Grades 1–8. The Companion Guide contains between three and six
examples of each of the following tests:
■■Sight Reading (Debut–Grade 5)

■■Improvisation & Interpretation (Grades 1–5)*
■■Ear Tests (Debut–Grade 8)*
■■Quick Study Pieces (Grades 6–8)*
■■General Musicianship Questions (Debut–Grade 8)
All of the test examples marked (*) have accompanying audio which can be downloaded from the Rockschool website (see
below). The Quick Study Pieces (QSPs) come in two audio versions: one is a full mix of the QSP and is marked (full) in the
filename, the other is a backing track with the examined instrumental part removed, which is marked (bt) in the filename.
Teachers, learners and candidates should also refer to the Rockschool Syllabus Guide for Drums where you will find the
technical specifications for each section of the exam syllabus, including those parts of the exam (the performance pieces
and the technical exercises) not covered by this Companion Guide. The Syllabus Guide can be found on our website: www.
rslawards.com. References to the relevant sections of the Drums Syllabus Guide can be found in each section of this book.
The purpose of the Companion Guide is to give candidates practice examples of the kinds of ‘unseen’ tests encountered in the
grade exam.
If you have any queries about the syllabus for Drums (or any other exam syllabus offered by Rockschool), please do not

hesitate to call us on +44 (0)845 460 4747 or email us at [email protected]
The Rockschool website, www.rslawards.com, has detailed information on all aspects of our examinations, including
examination regulations, detailed marking schemes and marking criteria.
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: DJ6ZTW268B
The audio files are supplied in MP3 format. Once downloaded you will be able to play them on any compatible device.
4
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.
Cont. sim. Continue in similar way but vary the Rit. (ritardando) Gradually slow the tempo.
pattern slightly.
5
Sight Reading Debut
Candidates attempting a Debut grade exam are required to take a Sight Reading test. Candidates attempting Grades 1–5
inclusive have a choice of taking either the Sight Reading or the Improvisation & Interpretation test in the exam. Six
examples of the types of Sight Reading tests required in the exam are shown below in grade order. A summary of the
technical specifications of each test offered to candidates in the exam can be found in the Drums Syllabus Guide in the
summary table on page 32. The Syllabus Guide can be found on the Rockschool website: www.rslawards.com. Please note
that in Grades 4 and 5 each Sight Reading test also includes two bars of improvisational development.
You will be asked to prepare a Sight Reading test which is given to you by the examiner. The examiner will allow you
90 seconds to prepare the test and will set the tempo for you on a metronome. You can choose to play with or without
the metronome.
Debut
The following examples are indicative of the types of test you will be given in the Debut exam.
Example 1
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

Example 2
q = 80
ã 44 œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ
Example 3
q = 80
4
ã4 œ Œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ Œ œ œ Œ œ
6
Sight Reading Debut
Example 4
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Example 5
q = 80
ã 44 œ Œ Œ œ Œ œ Œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ

Example 6
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ Œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ
7
Sight Reading Grade 1
Grade 1
The following examples are indicative of the types of test you will be given in the Grade 1 exam.
Example 1
q = 80
ã 44 œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ
Example 2
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ

Example 3
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
8
Example 4
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
Example 5
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Example 6
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
9
Grade 2
Example 1
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ ‰ œ œ
J
œ œœœœœœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ
Example 2
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œœœœœ œ œœœœœ œ œ Œ œœœ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ

J
œœœ œ œ Œ œ

Example 3
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œJ œ œœœœœ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ Jœ œœœœœ œœœ œ

10
Example 4
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ œ Œ œœœœ œ œ œ œ œœœ ‰ œ œ
J
œ œœœ œ œœœœŒ œ œ œ œ
Example 5
q = 80
ã 44 œ œœœ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ œ œœœœŒ œ œ œ œ Œ œœœ œ œ

Example 6
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œœœœ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œœ œ ‰ Jœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ
11
Grade 3
Example 1
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œJ œ œœœœœ œ Œ œ œœœœœ œ œœœœœ œ œœœœœœ‰ œ œ

J
Example 2
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ Œ œœœœ‰ œ œ œœ‰ œ œœœ œ

J J
‰ œJ ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ
J
œœœ

Example 3
q = 70
4
ã4 œ ‰ Jœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œœœ œœœ Œ
J
œ œ Œ œœœ œ œœœœœœœ ‰ œ
J
12
Example 4
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œœœœœœœ Œ ‰ Jœ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ Œ œœœ œœœ œ œ
Example 5
q = 80
ã 44 œ œ ‰ Jœ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œœœ œ œœœ œ œœœœ‰ œœ Œ œ œ œ œœœ

Example 6
q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œœ œ ‰ œJ Œ œ œœ ‰ œœ‰ œœœœœœŒ
13
Grade 4
The following examples are indicative of the types of test you will be given in the Grade 4 exam. Please note that in Grade 4
the Sight Reading tests contain a small amount of improvisation and interpretation. This consists of a two-bar section to be
found at the end of each test.
Example 1
o o o
q = 80 Rock
y y y y A A A A A A A A A A A A
4
ã 4 œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
o o o
A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A A Aœ Aœ A A œ œ œ y y yœ y A A Aœ A A A Aœ A œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰
ã œ. œ œ œ . œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ . œ œ
Ó
J

Example 2
q = 90 Funk
y A Cœ y y y yœ y y A Cœ y y y y y y A Cœ y y y yœ y y A Cœ Ó
4
ã4 œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ. œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œœœ
œ œ œ œ
J J J
Œ
y y yœ y ‰y y yœ . y y y yœ y ‰y y œ œ
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ.
J J
Example 3
y y yœ y y y yœ œ œ œÓ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ y y Œ œ
q = 80 Rock
4 y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ J
Œ
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ œy y yœ y yœ yœ yœ y yœ y yœ y œy y
œ œJ œ
Develop
14
Example 4
q = 90 Funk
y y y y y y y y y y y y œ y y y y œ Develop
4
ã 4 œ œ. œ ‰ œ œ œ œ. ‰ œ œ. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
J J
‰ yj
y y yœ . y œ y‰ y yœ y y y œy . y œ y y yœ œ œ y y yœ . y œ y y yœ y
‰ œ
y y yœ . y œ œ œ
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
J J
Example 5
q = 90 Hip Hop
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y A C y y y y y y y y y
4
ã 4 œ f œ f. œ œ œ f œ f. œ œ f œ f. œ œ œ f f f

y y y y y y y y y y yœ y œ Óœ œ
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ œ œ. œ ‰ œ œ . œ œœ
Develop
œ
J
Example 6
‰ yj ‰ yj ‰ yj ‰ yj ‰ yj ‰ yj ‰ yj ‰ yj Develop
q = 90 Indie
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ
œ
œ œ
œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
yyyyœyyyyyyyœyyy yyyyœyyyyyyyœyyy yyyyœyyyyyyyœœœœ y œ œ œ œ y

ã œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ Œ œ œ Œ œ œ Ó
Œ Œ Œ ‰ J
ã ∑
15
Grade 5
The following examples are indicative of the types of test you will be given in the Grade 5 exam. Please note that in Grade 5
the Sight Reading tests contain a small amount of improvisation and interpretation. This consists of a two-bar section to be
found at the end of each test.
Example 1
q = 80 Rock
y y y y y y y y y y yœ y y y yœ A
4
ã4 œ œœœ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
œ œœ
J J
y y y y y y y y y y yœ y y y yœ y A A Aœ A Aœ A Aœ A A A Aœ A Œœ œ œ œ y
ã œ œ œ ‰ œœœ œ œœ ‰ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ

Example 2
q = 90 Funk
4
y y y y y y y y y y yœ y y y y yœ y A Cœ y y y y yœ y y yœ y œÓ œ
ã 4 œ œ œ . œ ‰ Jœ ‰ œ œ. œ ‰ J œ œ. œ ‰ J ‰ œ œ œ
œœ
J J
y y y y y y y y y y yœ y y y y yœ
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ œ œ . œ ‰ Jœ ‰ œ œ. œ ‰ J
Develop
œ
J
Example 3
o o o
q = 90 Rock
4
y y y y A A A A A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A
œ A A Aœ A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A A Œœ œ œ œ
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Œ Œ
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ œy yœ yœ yœ yœ yœ yœ yœ y y œœœœy y œœ
œœ
Develop
œ œ œ œ
16
Example 4
j
q = 90 Funk
4
y y y y y y y y y œ y yœ y œ y y ≈œ A . Develop
ã 4 œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ . œ œ œ. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
j
y y y y y y y y y œ y yœ y œ Óœ œ œ œ y œ y yœ y œ y y yœ y y œ y yœ y œ y y ≈œ A .
ã œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ . œœ ‰ œ œ . ‰ œ œ œ . ‰ œ œ.
J J
Example 5
j
Blues q q = q q
3
q = 120
4
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y y y y y y y Œœ œ œ
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ
3
y y y y y y y y Ó
œ y y yœ y œ œ
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ œ œ œ œœ
Develop
œ œ
3
Example 6
> > > >

q = 85 Metal
ã 44 œœ œ œ œ œœ œ
œœ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ
œœ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
y y y y y y y y y y yœ y ‰y y yœ y Ó Œ y
y y yœ y y‰ y yœ y
ã œ œ ‰ œœœ ‰ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œœœœœ
3
17
Improvisation & Interpretation Grade 1
Candidates attempting Grades 1–5 inclusive have a choice of taking either the Sight Reading or the Improvisation &
Interpretation test in the exam. Six examples of the types of Improvisation & Interpretation tests required in the exam are
shown below in grade order. A summary of the technical specifications of each test offered to candidates in the exam can be
found in the Drums Syllabus Guide in the summary table on page 32. The Syllabus Guide can be found on the Rockschool
website: www.rslawards.com. Please note that in Grades 4 and 5 each Improvisation & Interpretation test also includes two
bars of sight reading at the beginning of each eight-bar test.
You will be asked to prepare an Improvisation & Interpretation test which is given to you by the examiner.
Grade 1
You will be asked to play a written one-bar groove, vary it in the following two bars and improvise a fill in the fourth bar.
The test will be played to a backing track using the bass drum, hi-hat and snare drum. You have 30 seconds to prepare then
you will be allowed to practise during the first playing of the backing track, before playing it to the examiner on the second
playing of the backing track. This test is continuous with a one-bar count-in at the beginning and after the practice session.
Example 1 P
q = 80 Rock
y y yœ y y y yœ y
ã 44 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ

Example 2 P
q = 80 Rock
4 y y yœ y y y yœ y
ã 4 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ
Example 3 P
q = 80 Rock
y y y y y y y y
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
18
Example 4 P
q = 80 Rock
y y yœ y y y yœ y
ã 44 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ
Example 5 P
q = 80 Rock
y y y y y y œy y
ã 44 .. œ
œ Œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ

Example 6 P
q = 80 Rock
4 y y yœ y y y y y
ã 4 .. œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ
19
Grade 2
The test will be played to a backing track using the bass drum, hi-hat (open and closed) and snare drum. You have 30
seconds to prepare then you will be allowed to practise during the first playing of the backing track, before playing it to the
examiner on the second playing of the backing track. This test is continuous with a one-bar count-in at the beginning and
after the practice session.
Example 1 P
q = 80 Rock
y y yœ y y y yœ A
ã 44 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ œ

Example 2
q = 80 Rock
y y y yœ y y yœ y
ã 44 .. œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ
Example 3 P
q = 80 Rock
y y yœ y y y yœ A
ã 44 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ
20
Example 4 P
q = 80 Rock
y y yœ y y y yœ y
ã 44 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ œ
Example 5 P
q = 80 Rock
y y y y y y yœ A
ã 44 .. œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ

Example 6 P
q = 80 Rock
4 y y yœ y y y yœ y
ã 4 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ
21
Grade 3
The test will be played to a backing track using the bass drum, hi-hat (closed and open), snare drum, ride cymbal and crash
cymbal. You have 30 seconds to prepare then you will be allowed to practise during the first playing of the backing track,
before playing it to the examiner on the second playing of the backing track. This test is continuous with a one-bar count-in
at the beginning and after the practice session.
Example 1 P
y y y y y y y y
q = 90 Funk
ã 44 .. œ. œ œ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill

Example 2
q = 100 Rock
y y yœ yœ y‰ y yœ yœ
ã 44 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ
Example 3 P
y y yœ y y y yœ
q = 90 Rock
4
ã 4 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ. œ œ œ
22
Example 4 P
y y y y y y y y
q = 90 Funk
ã 44 .. œ œ . ‰ œ
œ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
Example 5 P
y y y y y y y y
q = 90 Rock
ã 44 .. œ œ. .
œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ .
1 2 3 4 Fill
œ œ œ

Example 6 P
y y y y
q = 100 Rock
4
ã 4 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
1 2 3 4 Fill
23
Grade 4
You will be asked to play a written two-bar groove, vary it in the following four bars and then improvise a two-bar solo.
cymbal. You have 30 seconds to prepare then you will be allowed to practise during the first playing of the backing track,
before playing it to the examiner on the second playing of the backing track. This test is continuous with a one-bar count-in
at the beginning and after the practice session.
Example 1 P
y y y y y y y y
q = 100 Funk
y y y y y yœ yœ y
ã 44 .. œ œ. œ œ œ
œ
œ œ. œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4 Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6]

Example 2
y y yœ y y yœ
q = 90 Rock
y y yœ y y y yœ y
ã 44 .. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4 Develop
œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6]
Example 3 P
q = 100 Funk
y A C y y y yœ y y A C y œ y y y y Develop
ã 44 .. œ œ. œ ‰ œ œ œ. ‰ œ œ œ. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4
J J
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6]
24
Example 4 P
q = 90 Rock
A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A A A A Develop
ã 44 .. ‰ œ œ. œ œ Œ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4
œ. œ
J
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6]
Example 5 P
y y y y y A C y
q = 90 Funk
y y yœ y œ y A Cœ y
ã 44 .. œ. œ ‰ œ
œ œ . ‰ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4 Develop
œ œ
J J
..

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Solo
[6]
Example 6 P
y y y y y y y y
q = 100 Rock
ã 44 .. œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4 Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6] Drums Companion Guide
25
Grade 5
You will be asked to play a written two-bar groove, vary it in the following four bars and then improvise a two-bar solo.
cymbal. You have 30 seconds to prepare and then you will be allowed to practise during the first playing of the backing
track, before playing it to the examiner on the second playing of the backing track. This test is continuous with a one-bar
count-in at the beginning and after the practice session.
Example 1 P
o o o
y y y y A A A A A A A A A A A A
q = 100 Rock
ã 44 .. œ. œ œ œ. œ œ. œ œ œ œ. œ ‰ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4 Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6]

Example 2
q = 110 Funk
≈ yj . Develop
y y œ y‰ y y y yœ y y y œ y‰ y y y œ
ã 44 .. œ Œ œ Œ œ. ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4
œ. œ. œ.
J J
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6]
Example 3 P
q = 110 Blues Rock
A Aœ A Aœ A Aœ A Aœ œ Develop
ã 44 .. ‰ ‰ ‰ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4
œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
3 3
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6]
26
Example 4 P
q = 90 Rock
y y y y œy y y yœ y yœ y y œy y y y Develop
ã 44 .. œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ J œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4
J J J
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6]
Example 5 P
y y y y y y y y
q = 100 Funk
y y y y œ y œ y yœ y Develop
ã 44 .. œ. œ œ œ ‰ œ œ. œ œ œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4
œ œ œ
J
..

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Solo
[6]
Example 6 P
y y y y y y y y
q = 100 Metal
ã 44 .. œ œ
œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ
œ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
1 2 3 4 Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ..
Solo
[6] Drums Companion Guide
27
Ear Tests Debut
You will be given two ear tests in the grade exam. The tests are played back from digital audio files and use real instrument
sounds. Each test is played to you by the examiner twice and you will play back to each test (as required). A summary of
the technical specifications of each test offered to candidates in the exam can be found in the Drums Syllabus Guide in the
summary table on page 32.
Debut Test 1: Fill Playback and Recognition

The examiner will play you a one-bar fill in common time played on the snare drum. You will play back the fill on the snare
drum. You will then identify the fill from two printed examples shown to you by the examiner. You will hear the test twice.
Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap for you to practise. Next you will
hear the vocal count-in and you will then play the fill to the click.
Example 1 P
A q = 70
B q = 70

Example 2 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ
Example 3 P
A q = 70
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ
28
Ear Tests Debut
Example 4 P
A q = 70
B q = 70
Example 5 P
A q = 70
B q = 70

Example 6 P
A q = 70
B q = 70
29
Ear Tests Debut
Debut Test 2: Groove Recall

The examiner will play you a two-bar groove played on the bass drum, hi-hat and snare. This is a two-bar groove repeated.
You will hear the test twice. You will be asked to play the groove back on the drum voices indicated for four bars.
Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in.
Example 1 P
q = 80
4 . y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y y y y y ..
.
Example 2 P

q = 80
4 . y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y ..
.
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ
Example 3 P
q = 80
y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ
..
30
Ear Tests Debut
Example 4 P
q = 80
ã4 . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Example 5 P
q = 80
4 . y y y y y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y ..

Example 6 P
q = 80
4 . y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y y y y y ..
ã4 . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
31
Ear Tests Grade 1
Grade 1 Test 1: Fill Playback and Recognition

hear a vocal count-in and you will then play the fill to the click.
Example 1 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ Œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ Œ œ œ
Example 2 P

A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ Œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ Œ œ
Example 3 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ Œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ Œ œ
32
Ear Tests Grade 1
Example 4 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ Œ œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ Œ
Example 5 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ Œ œ œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ Œ œ œ œ

Example 6 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ Œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ Œ œ œ
33
Ear Tests Grade 1
Grade 1 Test 2: Groove Recall

The examiner will play you a two-bar groove played on the bass drum, hi-hat and snare. This is a two-bar groove repeated.
You will hear the test twice. You will be asked to play the groove back on the drum voices indicated for four bars. Each time
the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in.
Example 1 P
q = 80
y y yœ y y y œy yœ y y yœ y y y œy yœ
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ
..
Example 2 P

q = 80
y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y y y y y
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ
..
Example 3 P
q = 80
34
Ear Tests Grade 1
Example 4 P
q = 80
4 . y y y yœ y y yœ y y y y yœ y y yœ y ..
Example 5 P
q = 80
4 . y y y y y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y ..
ã4 . œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J J

Example 6 P
q = 80
ã4 . œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J J
35
Ear Tests Grade 2

Example 1 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ
Example 2 P

A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Example 3 P
A q = 70
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
36
Ear Tests Grade 2
Example 4 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
Example 5 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ

Example 6 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
37
Ear Tests Grade 2

The examiner will play you a two-bar groove played on the bass drum, hi-hat (open and closed) and snare. This is a two-bar
groove that is repeated. You will hear the test twice. You will be asked to play the groove back on the drum voices indicated
for four bars. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in.
Example 1 P
q = 80
4 . y y y y y y yœ A C y y y y y yœ A ..
Example 2 P

q = 80
y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
Example 3 P
q = 80
4 . y y yœ A C y yœ y y y yœ A C y yœ y ..
ã4 . œ œ œ œ œ œ
38
Ear Tests Grade 2
Example 4 P
q = 80
4 . y y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y y y y ..
ã4 . œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ
J J
Example 5 P
q = 80
4 . y y yœ y y y yœ A C y yœ y y y yœ A ..

Example 6 P
q = 80
4 . y y y y yœ y yœ y y y y y yœ y yœ y ..
ã4 . œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J J
39
Ear Tests Grade 3

Example 1 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ
3
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
Example 2 P

A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
B q = 70
Example 3 P
A q = 70
3
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ
40
Ear Tests Grade 3
Example 4 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
3
Example 5 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70

3
Example 6 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ
3
B q = 70
41
Ear Tests Grade 3

The examiner will play you a two-bar groove played on the bass drum, hi-hat (open and closed), crash cymbal and snare.
This is a two-bar groove repeated. You will hear the test twice. You will be asked to play the groove back on the drum voices
indicated for four bars. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in.
Example 1 P
q = 80
y y y yœ y y yœ y y y y yœ y y yœ y
4 .
ã4 . œ œ ‰ œ ‰ ..
œ œ œ
J J
Example 2 P

q = 80
y y yœ y y
ã 44 .. œ œy y yœ y yœ y yœ y œy y œ ..
œ œ œ
Example 3 P
q = 80
4 . y A Cœ y y y y y y A Cœ y y y y yœ ..
ã4 . œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ
J J
42
Ear Tests Grade 3
Example 4 P
q = 80
y y y y y y y y
4 .
ã4 . œ œ œ œ œ ..
œ œ œ œ œ œ
Example 5 P
q = 80
4 . y y y y y A Cœ y y y yœ y y A Cœ y ..

Example 6 P
q = 80
4 . yœ y yœ y yœ y yœ y yœ y yœ y yœ y yœ y ..
ã4 . œ œ œ œ
43
Ear Tests Grade 4

drum. You will then identify the fill from three printed examples shown to you by the examiner. You will hear the test twice.
Example 1 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
P
3

Example 2
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ œ œ œ œ
3
B q = 70
3
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Example 3 P
A q = 70
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ œ œ
B q = 70
4
ã 4 œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
C q = 70
44
3
Ear Tests Grade 4
Example 4 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
Example 5 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ

B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ œ
C q = 70
3
Example 6 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
3
B q = 70
C q = 70
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
45
Ear Tests Grade 4

The examiner will play you a two-bar groove played on the bass drum, hi-hat (open and closed), crash cymbal, ride cymbal,
bell of ride, cross stick and snare. This is a two-bar groove repeated. You will hear the test twice. You will be asked to play
the groove back on the drum voices indicated for four bars then identify the style from three choices given by the examiner.
Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in.
Example 1 P
A: Hip Hop
B: Jazz
C: Metal
q = 90
y y y y y y fy y y y y y y A Cf y
ã 44 .. œ f. œ Œ œ œ f. œ Œ
..
Example 2 P

A: Jazz
B: Metal
C: Latin
q = 120
y y y y y y y y
4 .
ã4 . œ œ Œ œ œ œ ‰ œ ..
œ œ œ œ
J
Example 3 P
A: Latin
B: Jazz
C: Funk
q = 100
y A Cœ y y y yœ y y A Cœ y y y yœ yœ
ã 44 .. œ ≈ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ ..
46
Ear Tests Grade 4
Example 4 P
A: Rock
B: Latin
C: Funk
q = 105
0 0f 0 0 0 0f 0 0
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
Example 5 P
A: Funk
B: Rock
C: Jazz
j
q q =q q
3
q = 110
y fy y y y y y fy y y yœ yœ
ã 44 .. Œ y Œ y Œ y Œ y
..

Example 6 P
A: Rock
B: Jazz
C: Latin
q = 100
o
‰ j
A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A A Aœ A y y y
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ ‰ œ
J
..
47
Ear Tests Grade 5

Example 1 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
3
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ. œ œ

Example 2
A q = 70
B q = 70
C q = 70
4 œ.
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
P
3
Example 3
A q = 70
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
B q = 70
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ œ œ
3
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ
48
3
Ear Tests Grade 5
Example 4 P
A q = 70
3
B q = 70
3
C q = 70
Example 5 P
A q = 70

B q = 70
ã 44 œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ œ œ œ
Example 6 P
A q = 70
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
C q = 70
4 œ.
49
Ear Tests Grade 5

The examiner will play you a two-bar groove played on the bass drum, hi-hat (open and closed), crash cymbal, ride cymbal,
bell of ride, cross stick, snare and toms. This is a two-bar groove repeated. You will hear the test twice. You will be asked to
play the groove back on the drum voices indicated for four bars then identify the style from three choices given to you by
the examiner. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in.
Example 1 P
A: Metal
B: Funk
C: Latin
q = 115
y y y yœ y y yœ y yœ y y yœ y A Cœ y
ã 44 .. œ ‰
J
‰ œ ‰
J
‰ œ
..
J J
Example 2 P

A: Jazz
B: Latin
C: Rock
q = 140
A A Aœ A A A Aœ A
ã 44 .. œ œ Œ ‰ œ Œ œ Œ ..
J
Example 3 P
A: Latin
B: Jazz
C: Funk
q = 120
y y yf y y yf y y fœy y fy y y y y y
ã 44 .. fœ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
..
J J
50
Ear Tests Grade 5
Example 4 P
A: Latin
B: Blues
C: Metal
j
q q =q q
3
q = 110
4 . y y yœ y y y yœ A C y yœ y y y y y ..
ã4 . œ œ œ œ œ œ
Example 5 P
A: Metal
B: Funk
C: Blues
q = 130
y. y. y y. y. œœ
4 .
ã4 . œ œ œ œ œ ..
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Example 6 P
A: Rock
B: Jazz
C: Latin
q = 110
3 3 3 3 3
4 y y ‰ œ y œ œ y œ œ y y ‰ œ y œ œ y
ã 4 .. Œ y Œ y Œ y Œ y
..
51
Ear Tests Grade 6

Example 1 P
A q = 70
J
œ œ
6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ . œ œ. œ œ
P
6

Example 2
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ ‰ œ
J
6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
P
3 6 3
Example 3
A q = 70
4
B q = 70
4
ã 4 œ. œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
6 3
C q = 70
52
Ear Tests Grade 6
Example 4 P
A q = 70
J
‰ œ
J
3 6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ
J
3
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ.
6
Example 5 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ.

3
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
6
C q = 70
ã 44 œ . œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
6
Example 6 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ
6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
6 6
C q = 70
4 œ.
6
53
Ear Tests Grade 6

The examiner will play you a two-bar groove played on the whole kit. This is a two-bar groove repeated. You will hear the
test twice. You will be asked to play the groove back on the drum voices indicated for four bars then identify the style from
four choices given to you by the examiner. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in.
Example 1 P
A: Jazz
B: Mambo
C: Metal
D: Blues
q = 125
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ã 44 .. œ œ
y œ œy œ
œ
y œ œy œ ..
Example 2 P

A: Jazz
B: Indie
C: Soca
D: Samba
q = 115
3 3 3 3 3
4 . y y ‰ œy y y ‰ œy y y ‰ œy y œ œ y ‰ œy .
.
ã4 Œ y y y y .
Œ Œ Œ
Example 3 P
A: Bossa
B: Jazz
C: Funk
D: Metal
q = 100
4 y y yœ y y y œy y y œ y yœ y y A œC y
ã 4 .. œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ Œ œ
..
54
Ear Tests Grade 6
Example 4 P
A: Funk
B: Rock
C: Jazz
D: Samba
> > > > > >

q = 130
ã 44 .. œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ ..
Œ Œ Œ ‰ J
Example 5 P
A: Latin
B: Jazz
C: Metal
D: Soca
q = 90
A A A A A A A Aœ
ã 44 .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
..

Example 6 P
A: Blues
B: Funk
C: Metal
D: Samba
j
q q =q q
> > > > >
3
q = 120
y œy œy œy œy œy œy œy œy œy œy œy œy œy œy œy
ã 44 .. œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
..
55
Ear Tests Grade 7

Example 1 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ.
J
œ œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
6 3
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
P
3

Example 2
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
C q = 70
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
P
3 6
Example 3
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ.
J
œ œ œ œ œ œ
56
3 6
Ear Tests Grade 7
Example 4 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ ≈ œ.
J
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 3
Example 5 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
6
C q = 70
ã 44 œ . œ ≈ œ.
J
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
6
Example 6 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ . œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 3
C q = 70
4
ã 4 œ. œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
57
Ear Tests Grade 7

The examiner will play you a two-bar groove played on the whole kit. This is a two-bar groove repeated. You will hear the
test twice. You will be asked to play the groove back on the drum voices indicated for four bars then identify the style from
four choices given to you by the examiner. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in.
Example 1 P
A: Funk
B: Bossa
C: Metal
D: Jazz
q = 95
y y y y y y y y
4 .
ã 4 . œ œ. œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ ..
. œ . œ œ. . œ
J J
Example 2 P

A: Funk
B: Bossa
C: Jazz
D: Rock
q = 105
4 . yœ y yœ y e y y y yœ y y yœ y e y e y yœ y ..
ã4 . . œ œ ‰ ≈ e œ . œ œ
J
Example 3 P
A: Rock
B: Jazz
C: Funk
D: Samba
q = 140
4 . A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A A Aœ A ..
.
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ
58
Ear Tests Grade 7
Example 4 P
A: Metal
B: Shuﬄe
C: Samba
D: Jazz
q = 120
‰ y y ‰ y y ‰ y y ‰ y y e y hy ‰ y y e y hy ‰ y .
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
4 y
ã 4 .. œ h
œ
h
œ e œ e .
Œ Œ Œ Œ
Example 5 P
A: Calypso
B: Rock
C: Jazz
D: Bossa
q = 110
0 y œ 0 yœ 0 y œ 0 yœ 0 y œ 0 yœ 0 œ y œ 0 yœ
ã 44 .. œ . œ œ. œ œ. œ œ œ
..

Example 6 P
A: Blues
B: Calypso
C: Drum & Bass
D: Rock
q = 140
4 y y y yœ y y y y e y y yœ y e y e y yœ y
ã 4 .. œ œ ‰ J
‰ œ œ. œ œ . œ œ
..
J
59
Ear Tests Grade 8

Example 1 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ . œ œ œ. ≈ œ œ œ ≈ œ.
J
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ ‰ œ
J
C q = 70
ã 44 œ . œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ.
J
P
3

Example 2
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ.
J
‰ œ
J
œ œ.
6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ.
6
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ ≈ œ œ
P
6
Example 3
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ.
J
œ œ œ œ œ œ
60
3 6
Ear Tests Grade 8
Example 4 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 6
Example 5 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ.
J

3 3
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ
3 3
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ ‰. œ
R
3
Example 6 P
A q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ ≈ œ.
J
6
B q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ
C q = 70
ã 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ ‰ œ
J
6
61
Ear Tests Grade 8

The examiner will play you a two-bar groove played on the whole kit. The test may be in 4/4, 6/8, 5/4 or 7/8 time. This
is a two-bar groove repeated. You will hear the test twice. You will be asked to play the groove back on the drum voices
indicated for four bars then identify the style from four choices given to you by the examiner. Each time the test is played it
is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in.
Example 1 P
A: Funk
B: Jazz
C: Blues
D: Metal
+ +
≈ j ≈ j
q = 100
4 . y y yœ y e y e y yœ y y y yœ y œ œ A. œ œ A. ..
.
ã4 œ œ . œ œ œ œ . œ œ.
Example 2 P

A: Samba
B: Drum & Bass
C: Jazz
D: Blues Rock
q.= 75
6 . y y y yh y y y y y yh y y ..
.
ã 8 œ. œ œ œ J œ
J J
Example 3 P
A: Trip Hop
B: Samba
C: Jazz
D: Blues
q = 80
4 . y y y y yf y y y y y y y yf y y y y y y y yf y y y y y y y yf y y y .
.
ã4 œ œ œ œ ‰ œ .
62
Ear Tests Grade 8
Example 4 P
A: Jazz
B: Bossa
C: Calypso
D: Rock
e = 170
y y yœ y y y œ y yœ y yœ y y y œ y
7 .
ã8 . œ ‰ ‰ ..
œ. œ œ.
Example 5 P
A: Salsa
B: Rock
C: Jazz
D: Samba
q = 150
y y y y y y y y y y y y yD y
ã 45 .. Œ y Œ y Œ Œ y Œ y
..

Example 6 P
A: Funk
B: Metal
C: Samba
D: Blues
q = 100
> > >
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
ã 44 .. œ œ y œœ œ œ y œœ œ œ y œœ œ œ y œœ œ œ y œœ œ œ y œœ œ œ y œœ œ œ y œœ ..
63
Quick Study Pieces Grade 6
At Grades 6, 7 and 8 you will be asked to prepare and play a short Quick Study Piece (QSP). The QSP is given to candidates
during the examination. While preparing for the Technical Exercise section of the exam you will have to select a Stylistic
Study from the following three groups: rock/metal, funk or blues/jazz/latin. The choice you make in this section will
determine the style of the QSP you are given in the exam. You will be shown the music and played the track with the notated
parts played. Any bars that require improvisation will not be demonstrated. You will then have three minutes to study the
test. The backing track will be played twice more. You are allowed to practise during the first run through of the backing
track, with the notated parts now absent, before playing it to the examiner on the second playing of the backing track. The
QSP is in the form of a lead sheet and it is up to you to create your own interpretation of the music in the parts marked for
improvisation.
The full technical specifications of the QSPs offered to candidates in the exam can be found in the Drums Syllabus Guide in
the summary table on page 32.
Grade 6 Example 1 P
q = 100 Rock
o o o
y y y y A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A A Aœ A
4
ã4 œ œ .

o o o
y y y y A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A Œ
ã œ. œ œ œ œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
A A Aœ A A A Aœ A A y
ã œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
œ œ. œ œ
64
Grade 6 Example 2 P
q = 100 Rock
y y yœ . y œ y y yœ y y y yœ . y œ y y yœ y
4
y y yœ . y œ y y yœ y y y yœ . y œ y y œœ œœ ‰
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
y y y y
ã œ œ
œ. œ yœ y
œ
œ. œ y
œ
y
œ œœ œœ ‰ œœ œœ ‰ Œ
65
Grade 6 Example 3 P
q = 105 Funk
y y y y y y y y y A C y y y y y
4
ã4 œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ
œ œ œ
y A C y y y yœ y y A C y y y Œ
ã œ œ œ ≈ œ œ . œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
o + +
y Œ ≈ j
ã œ
y yœ y C
‰
y œy œ y y y yœ A œ œ œ œ œ Aœ .
œ œ . œ œ .
J
66
Grade 6 Example 4 P
q = 100 Funk
4
ã4 œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ.
œ J œ . œ œ J œ œ
J J
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y Œ
ã œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œœ œ œ
œ J œ . œ œ J œ J
J J

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
+
y y y yœ y A Œ
ã œ ‰ ‰ œC œ y y y y
‰
yœ y
‰
A œœ
œ J œ . œ œ J œ J
J J
67
Grade 6 Example 5 P
j
Blues q q = q q
3
q = 100
4 y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
ã4 œ œ œ œ œ
œ
œ œ œ
y y yœ y y y yœ y y y yœ y Ó
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 3

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
y y Œ Ó
œy
y y y y y y
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰
œ œœ
68 3
3 3
Grade 6 Example 6 P
q = 125 Latin
4
ã 4 œ ..
f fœ œ f œ œ f œ œ f ‰ œ
J J
y y y y y y y y y y y y y Œ
f f f ‰ fœ f œ œ œ
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
J

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
+
y y y
ã œ ..
f fœy y y fy y y y fy y y Af
Œ
œ œ œ œ œ
J
69
Grade 7 Example 1 P
q = 130 Rock
y y y y y y y y
4
ã4 œ h h h h h
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
y y y y 1 Œ 1 Œ
ã œ h h. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
A Ah A Ah A Ah A Œ
ãœ œ œ œ œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
70
Grade 7 Example 2 P
q = 95 Rock
y
4
ã4 œ œœ hœ œ œ œœ œœ hœ œ œœ œœ hœ œ œ œœ œœ hœ œœ
‰. R Œ ‰. R ‰ J
Ó
œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 3
ã œœ œœ hœ œ œ œœ œœ hœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œJ œ
‰. R Œ
3 3

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
A Aœ Aœ Aœ y
ã œ œA A Aœ œ
71
Grade 7 Example 3 P
q = 75 Funk o
y y C y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y yœ y y y y y y y y y y y
4 œ. .
y y y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y y y y y y y yœ y y y y y y y Œ
ã œ œ . œ œ œ . œ œ œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
+
y y y yœ y y y y y yœ y y y y y yœ Œ
y y y y yœ y y y y y A œ œ œ
ã œ. ‰ œ ≈ J. œ. œ œ . œ œ œ
J
72
Grade 7 Example 4 P
q = 95 Funk
y y yh y y A C y y y yh y y A C y
4
ã4 œ . œ ‰ h . œ ‰ h.
œ œ œ œ œ œ
J J
y y yh y y A C y y y yh y Ó
ã œ œ . œ ‰ œ h œ œ . œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ
J

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
y Œ
y yh . y œ y‰ y yh y y y yh . y œ y‰ y
ã œ œœ œ
œ œ œ œ œ .
J J
J
73
Grade 7 Example 5 P
j j
q = 120 Latin
y yœ y yœ yœ ‰ y ‰ y y y y
4
ã4 œ œ œ œ
y œ y œ y œ y
‰ j ‰ j Œ
y yœ y yœ yœ y œ y y
ã œ œ œ œ œ œ œy
y y y

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
0 0œ 0 0œ 0œ 0 0œ 0 œ œ
ãœ y œ y œ y œ œy œ
74
Grade 7 Example 6 P
q = 100 Latin
4 y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
ã4 œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ
y y y y y y y y y y y y ≈ ≈
œ œ y œœ œ .
ã œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ
y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ y y y

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
y y y y y œ y y y y y œ y y y y y œ y y œ œœ .
ã œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ .
75
Grade 8 Example 1 P
q = 90 Rock
4
ã4 œ œ ‰ h ≈ œ ≈ œ h h h œ
œ œ ‰ œ .
y y y y y y y y y y yh y Ó
h ≈ œ ≈ œ h . œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ
ãœ œ ‰ œ œ ‰

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
o o o
y y yh y A A A A A A Ah A Œ y
ãœ œ ‰ ≈ œ ≈ œ h œ œ ‰
œœœœœœœ
76 6
Grade 8 Example 2 P
q = 100 Metal
4 y A A A A A A A
ã4 œ œ h œ ≈ œ. h œ œ œ h œ ≈ œ. h
J J
y A A A y y Ó
ãœ œ h œ ≈ œ. h œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
J

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
y.
Choke
A A A A A A A A A A A A y
ãœ œ ‰ h œ h œ h œ œ œ
. œ œ ‰ . œ œ ‰ . œ œ Œ
77
Grade 8 Example 3 P
q = 100 Funk
4
ã4 œ h. e ≈ e ≈ h. e œ h. e ≈ e ≈ h. e
œ œ
y y y y y y y y y y y y y e y Œ
ãœ h. e ≈ e ≈ œ h. e œ h. e ≈ ≈ œ œœœœ
3

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
y Œ
y hy . y e y≈ e y≈ yh . y e y y yh . y e y≈ e y≈ œœœœ
ãœ œ œ œ
78 3
Grade 8 Example 4 P
q = 125 Funk
o +
y y y y y y y y y A C y y A C y
4
ã4 œ ‰ h ‰ h ‰ h ≈ e œ h
œ J œ œ œ J
J
y A C y y A C y y A C y Ó
ãœ œ ‰ h ≈ e œ h œ œ ‰ h ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ
J J

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
0 y 0‰ yh 0 y 0h y 0 y 0‰ yh 0 y y
ãœ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ h
J J
J J
79
Grade 8 Example 5 P
j
Jazz q q = q q
3
q = 125 3
y y y y y y y y y y y ‰œ yœ
ã 44 y y
‰ œ
J y
‰ œ
J y
Œ Œ
3
j
y y y y y y ‰y œ y œ œ œ‰ y y
ã y y J y œ œy
Œ Œ
3

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
y‰ y y y y ‰œ œy y‰ y y y
3
ã œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ
J y J y J y J y
80
3
Grade 8 Example 6 P
q = 95 Latin > >
ã 44 œ e y eœ œ e y eœ œ e y eœ œ e y eœ œ e y eœ œ e y eœ œ e y eœ œ œ y œœ
y e y e y e y e y e y e y e y e y e y e y e y e y e y œœ œœ œœ
ãœ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ

ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Develop
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
ã’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
> > > > > > >

y e y e y œ y œ y e y e y œ y œ y e y e y œ y œ œ œ œ œœ
ãœ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ y œ œ
81
General Musicianship Questions Debut & Grade 1
Each Rockschool grade exam ends with five questions asked by the examiner. The examiner will ask you these questions
using a piece played by you as a starting point. Four of the questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth will
be about your instrument.
Here are some sample questions that are typically asked by Rockschool’s examiners grade by grade, along with sample
answers typically given by candidates.
Debut
The theory questions here refer to the performance piece ‘Full Rudder’ on page 5 of the Drums Debut candidate book.
Q. Point to where the bass drum is written.

A. The student points to the note in the bottom space of bar 1.
Q. What type of note is it?

A. A quarter note (crotchet).
Q. What other part of the kit is being played in bar 1?

A. The hi-hat.
Q. What types of notes are these?

A. Eighth notes (quavers).

Q. Point to a snare drum note.
A. The student points to the last note in bar 4 (or similar).
Q. Take me round your kit and tell me what each part is.
A. The student identifies snare drum, hi-hat and bass drum – possibly also toms, crash and ride.
Grade 1
The theory questions here refer to the performance piece ‘Bend And Snap’ on page 9 of the Drums Grade 1 candidate book.
Q. Where is the time signature?

A. The student points to the 4/4 at the beginning of the piece.
Q. Show me bass drum eighth notes.

A. The student points to beat three of bar 1.
Q. Show me a rest in this piece.

A. The student points to the rest on beat two of bar 1.
Q. What type of note is the hi-hat playing in bar 4?

Q. Name two makes of drum kit.

A. Yamaha, Pearl.
82
General Musicianship Questions Grades 2 & 3
Grade 2
The theory questions here refer to the performance piece ‘Cuba Mama’ on page 13 of the Drums Grade 2 candidate book.
Q. What toms are being used in bar 3?

A. High tom and middle tom.
Q. What is the value of the rest in bar 3?

A. Eighth note (quaver).
Q. What does 4/4 mean?

A. Four quarter notes (crotchets) in a bar.
Q. Point to a repeat marking.

A. The student points to either the beginning of bar 17 or the end of bar 20.
Q. Show me the butt of your drumstick.

A. The student identifies the butt of the stick.
Grade 3
The theory questions here refer to the performance piece ‘Old Bones Blues’ on page 9 of the Drums Grade 3 candidate book.

Q. What types of notes are being played in bar 11?
A. Eighth note triplets.
Q. What three drums are you playing at the beginning of bar 9?

A. Snare, floor tom and bass drum.

Q. What cymbal is playing in the last bar of the piece?

A. The crash cymbal.
Q. Name two makes of cymbals.

A. Paiste and Zildjian.
83
Grade 4
The theory questions here refer to the performance piece ‘Attitude’ on page 13 of the Drums Grade 4 candidate book.
Q. What does 105 at the head of the piece mean?

A. 105 beats per minute.
Q. What does D.C. al Coda mean?

A. Go back to the beginning until the ‘To Coda’ sign and then play the passage marked ‘Coda’.

A. 16th note (semiquaver).
Q. What drums did you use in the solo?

A. Bass drum, snare and floor toms with hi-hat.
Q. How do you tune the snare drum?

A. By using the star method to ensure the tension is kept even. You tap just in from each lug to make sure that the snare
sounds the same all over.
Grade 5

The theory questions here refer to the performance piece ‘Geek’ on page 5 of the Drums Grade 5 candidate book.
Q. What does the direction at the head of the piece mean?

A. 137 beats per minute and that the eighth notes are swung.
Q. What does the line through the snare drum note mean in bar 5?
A. Rim-shot.
Q. Show me another snare drum technique in this piece.

A. The student points to the brackets and identifies it is a ghost snare.
Q. What do the circles and circles with lines through them above the hi-hat part in bars 26 and 28 mean?
A. Open and half open hi-hat.
Q. Can you explain what a rim-shot and ghost note are?

A. A rim-shot is created by striking the snare drum and surrounding rim at the same time. A ghost note is a very quiet
stroke; keeping the drumstick close to the drumhead will naturally create this sound.
84
Grade 6
The theory questions here refer to the performance piece ‘Mindsweeper’ on page 17 of the Drums Grade 6 candidate book.
Q. Describe the dynamic shown in bars 3 and 4.

A. It starts piano (quietly) and gradually gets louder to forte (loud).
Q. What are the values of the two rests that appear in bar 12?
A. Eighth note and 16th note.
Q. What are the markings under the snare notes in bar 15?
A. Accents.
Q. What part of the drum stick should be used in order to achieve a metal bell sound in bars 28–32?
A. The neck/shoulder.
Q. Can you explain how to keep the drums in good condition?

A. i) Change drum heads regularly and clean the shells.
ii) Use padded or hard cases whenever transporting the drums.
iii) Wipe the rims and lugs with WD-40 or similar to avoid rust.
Grade 7

The theory questions here refer to the performance piece ‘The Bean’ on page 17 of the Drums Grade 7 candidate book.
Q. Explain D.C. al Coda.

A. You go back to the beginning and play until the ‘To Coda’ mark then you play the passage marked ‘Coda’.
Q. What rhythms and drum voices are used in bar 2?

A. An eighth-note hi-hat foot, followed by 32nd notes on the snare and toms. (Four snare, four high tom, four snare and
four medium tom).
Q. Explain the three time signatures used in this piece.

A. 5/8: five eighth notes in each bar. 6/8: six eighth notes in each bar. 7/8: seven eighth notes in each bar.
Q. Explain how to naturally create the dynamic change in bar 4?

A. Start close to the drumhead and gradually lift your hands higher, or start close to the rim and gradually move
towards the middle of the drumhead.
Q. Demonstrate and explain two different sticking patterns that can be used in the final fill in bar 58.
A. The candidate discusses and demonstrates singles vs doubles.
85
General Musicianship Questions Grade 8
Grade 8
The theory questions here refer to the performance piece ‘Meet Darth Ear’ on page 5 of the Drums Grade 8 candidate book.
Q. What rhythms are used in the upper part of the stave of bar 4?
A. Beat one: a dotted eighth-note crash and a 16th-note crash. Beat two: an eighth-note rest and an eighth-note crash.
Beat three: a 16th-note rest and a dotted eighth-note crash. Beat four: a quarter-note rest.
Q. Explain the sticking you chose to use in bar 9.

A. The candidate explains his preferred sticking and reason for using it.
Q. Explain the time signature changes in section B (bars 10–16).

A. Bar 10 is in 7/4 (i.e. there are seven quarter notes in each bar). In bar 11 there are six quarter notes. Bar 12 has five
quarter notes, bar 13 has three quarter notes and in bars 14–16 there are four quarter notes in each bar.
Q. What drum voices are used in bar 10?

A. Bass drum, snare, high tom, crash and open hi-hat.
Q. Can you explain how to create a stylistic drum sound in this piece?
A: In metal the drum sound must be consistent and each hand and foot stroke should be convincing. The overall
dynamic level is loud but not to the point that the drum and/or cymbals are choked. This can be created by solid
technique and relaxed posture.

86

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What is the purpose of this guide?

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What are some of the components included in the exams?

Drums

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

Input the following code when prompted: DJ6ZTW268B

For more information, turn to page 4

Published by Rockschool Ltd. © 2012

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

Introductions & Information

Improvisation & Interpretation

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

Quick Study Pieces

General Musicianship Questions

82 Debut & Grade 1

■■Sight Reading (Debut–Grade 5)

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

You will need to input this code when prompted: DJ6ZTW268B

BASS DRUM & TOMS SNARE

HI-HAT OTHER CYMBALS

GENERAL MUSIC NOTATION

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

MUSICAL TERMS WITH SPECIFIC EXAMINATION DEFINITIONS

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RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

Drums Companion Guide

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RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

Drums Companion Guide

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Drums Companion Guide

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RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

Drums Companion Guide

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

Drums Companion Guide

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]

Drums Companion Guide

RSL-152129022044 / 1 / Ritesh Khokhar / [email protected]