Swiss Rudimental Drumming

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22.00 £ / month (billed annually)

41 Lessons

built based on consistent, legitimate and usable information. Organised in easy to understand program.

7 hours

of high quality video content with all the explanations and exercises with sheet music on the screen.

181 Exercises

with practice pointers, explanations, and metronome to help you organise your practice sessions

This is an entry to a unique niche in the field of rudiments: Swiss Rudimental Drumming and its connection to the French drumming tradition can be looked at as the initial spark for a whole genre of drumming and the phrases we refer to as “rudiments”. It will both clarify ever-present questions like the spacing of strokes (on drag rudiments e.g.) and also add further and deeper understanding with regards to questions of authentic interpretation at the same time. We will discuss historic aspects, grip, and technique, dive into the details of the patterns, make you aware of challenges, help you structure your learning process, and guide you through the minefield of misconceptions.

One important reason in the creation of this course was the aspect that the sources to learn about this field of studies are rather limited. Certain aspects of methodology (e.g. like the phrasing based on quintuplets or the syncopation systems) may even appear to not be organized in the typical Swiss way – with that in mind we are opening new and creative avenues to teach this subject to students from all around the world in order to get an entry to the beautiful and unique world of Swiss Rudimental Drumming.

We believe it is:

This is the first time ever you can learn about Swiss Drumming and its specialties in an international format/online course. In case you want to taste the “primeval soup” of drumming and understand rudiments and their original European roots you will not want to miss this opportunity!

Course Booklet

In addition to all the video materials, exercises and support you’ll get a downloadable, printable course booklet with lesson summaries, practice pointers and exercises so you can study wherever you want, even if you don’t have your phone or internet connection.

Course Script

COURSE INTRO

CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND AND FACTS

This chapter elaborates on historic aspects, the instruments used, technique and grip, characteristic patterns and some condensed framework for Swiss Rudimental Drumming. Get a first understanding of what makes this genre of drumming special!

CHAPTER 2: PREPARING YOUR FIRST PIECE: THE MORGENSTREICH

This chapter is all about learning the ingredients for a first traditional Swiss drumming piece: The “Morgenstreich”. We will approach things more from the musical side and teach you the patterns and rudiments of this tune being the opening march for the “Basel Fasnacht”. The Flammed 5-Stroke Roll, the Doublé, the Bataflafla (or Pataflafla) and the Final of 7 are some typical elements we will study and finally connect to the “Morgenstreich”!

CHAPTER 3: BASEL DRUMMING RUDIMENTS I

In order to understand other Swiss/Basel Drumming pieces, there is a wealth of more rudiments and connected typical phrasing making Basel Drumming a lot different from other schools of rudimental drumming. This chapter takes us through a first selection of these: We will take a close look at the structures of the patterns, possibly challenges to be expected, and look into aspects of phrasing and interpretation. The Flammed Triplet, Flammed 3-Stroke Roll, Reversed Final of 7, Rigodon and more variations of the Final of 7 will be covered here.

CHAPTER 4: BASEL DRUMMING RUDIMENTS II

This is a follow up to chapter 3 further completing the list of patterns that may be new to you. The idea is to go through a basic list of patterns including their phrasing and “rhythmic environment” and then later be able to apply those in a musical setting of a Basel Drumming March for instance. In this chapter we will cover the Reversed Rigodon, the slurred 9-Stroke Roll, the Reveille stroke (or “Tagwacht”) and its variations as well as the Maermeli-Stroke.

CHAPTER 5: BASEL DRUMMING RUDIMENTS III

Here we are adding more typical Basel drumming rudiments to finalize the list of patterns. You will notice a wealth of new and previously unheard rudiments and the ever-present typical “Basel Swing” making this kind of drumming so special. Also your perception of flam-based patterns will receive an update: Both the Swiss and French Charge Strokes (or “Coup de Charge”) will for sure turn your head around and make you think different. Patterns in this chapter also include more Reveille Stroke variations.

CHAPTER 6: BASEL DRUMMING BASIC SYNCOPATION SYSTEM

In this chapter we’ll be introducing a “Syncopation” based system (relating to strategies of the classic Ted Reed book and Claus Hessler’s DVD “Drumming Kairos”) to make you practice and apply Basel Drumming rudiments. With this being a pretty unique and definitely “non-classic” method to teach you Swiss Rudimental Drumming we are for sure entering new ground – expect some real game-changing exercises. We are covering some frequently used rudiments like the slurred 5-Stroke Roll, the Doublé, the Flammed Triplet and the slurred 9-Stroke Roll and embed them into a syncopation-like context. This way we are preparing you for quite a number of realistic requirements and passages in a Basel drumming composition.

CHAPTER 7: BASEL DRUMMING STANDARD PIECES - THE “ARABI”

Here it is all about combining a selection of the patterns learned so far to another classic Basel drumming composition: The “Arabi”. We will go through the different verses, isolate certain passages, make you aware of challenges to be expected and get you ready to perform the piece.

INTRO: What you will learn?
LESSON 1: “Arabi” Intro and Verse 1
LESSON 2: “Arabi” Intro and Verse 2
LESSON 3: “Arabi” Intro and Verse 3
LESSON 4: “Arabi” Intro and Verse 4
LESSON 5: “Arabi” Intro and Verse 5
LESSON 6: “Arabi” Verse 6 | Closing the piece

CHAPTER 8: BASEL DRUMMING – CONNECTING THE PATTERNS

In Basel drumming you will notice quite a bunch of “common thread” when comparing different compositions: There seem to be a number of “standard combinations” appearing throughout a variety of marches. This chapter is all about teaching you representative selections of these. Mastering those will create key skills to understand a majority of the more traditional Basel Drumming compositions. We will introduce basic “shapes” (a standard, never changing short combination of two or three elements) and then add a number of matching, frequently used additions to form the complete exercises. This way we are introducing a system of building blocks that will complete your understanding of the topic.

INTRO: What you will learn?
LESSON 1: Basic Shape A – Flammed 5-Stroke Roll and Doublé plus Inserts
LESSON 2: Basic Shape B – Flammed 5-Stroke Roll and Pataflafla plus Inserts
LESSON 3: Basic Shape C – Triplet, Rigodon and Flammed Coup de Charge Combination plus Inserts
LESSON 4: Basic Shape D – Flammed 5-Stroke Roll, Triplet, and Flam plus Inserts
LESSON 5: Basic Shape E – Swiss Coup de Charge, Doublé and Pataflafla plus Inserts