Full Rudder: A Music Lesson

Introduction

This tune is called Full Rudder. It's from the Debut grade and is based in the style of AC/DC. The drummer with AC/DC was Phil Rudd, a remarkable drummer known for his steady and consistent grooves.

Understanding the Piece

As you can see in this piece, there isn't a lot going on. However, you'll find that much of pop and rock music is made up of a lot of crotchets and quavers.

Importance of Learning Consistency

Learning to play well is crucial because, even as you progress, you'll encounter many of these beats later on. The emphasis of playing this music is very clear and strong:

• Technique Focus: Consistency
• Think about your stick control, aim for everything to sound as similar as possible, almost like a musical photocopier.

Key Points to Remember

• Aim to hit everything together: This applies to the snare drum, hi-hat, and bass drum.
• Try not to get them at different times; get them spot on.
• If you want to be clever, experiment with playing them not together to understand the difference in sound.

Maintaining Tempo

If you're at the very beginning, focusing on playing together is what we're after.

• Caution When Playing Loud: When things get loud, people tend to rush and get excited. Since this is quite a loud track, try not to get too excited; keep it steady.

Tips for Timing

If it helps, use your arm a bit more than your wrist. I don't usually say that, but this might help you stay in time better. Using your wrist too much might lead you to play a little quicker.

Drumming Vocabulary

The drumming vocabulary for this piece features a strong quaver beat. Our quavers are played on the hi-hat.

An Example

Consider the simple beat we're developing, akin to the song by Queen, We Will Rock You, which doesn't even use the hi-hat.

Remember, these seemingly simple beats can be very difficult to play well, and you'll be using them for a long time in your drumming journey.

Conclusion

Have fun with this piece; it's enjoyable to play! Listen to AC/DC as the more you listen to the original sources of inspiration, the better your drumming will be.

Seeking Guidance

Always talk to your teacher about your progress and how they can help you.

Practice Goals

When practicing, aim to create a goal and achieve that goal each time. Discuss this with your teacher, as setting clear goals will help you immensely.

A Friendly Reminder

A friend of mine once said, "Playing a musical instrument is like having a pet; you have to feed it every day."

• You can't just practice twice a week, that's not enough.
• Think of your drums as your new pet; if you establish good practice habits early on, you'll be fine.

Enjoy your practice!