TORRINS

TORRINSSANKRAM
SANKRAM

DRUMSLEVEL
DRUMS
VOCALS LEVEL11
byby
transcribed from Dave
Dave
lessons Kropf,
byKropf,
M.Mus.
M.Mus.
Michael Walker
v0.1, v0.1,
Last updated
Last updated
5/24/17
5/24/17
v2.1 Last updated
 © 2017 Torrins. All Rights Reserved
v.RC3,
v.RC1, Last
v.RC4, Last updated
updated 7/25/17
1/8/18
6/24/18

Musical examples by Michael Walker.

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All tex t and muTorrins
sical examples by Dave Kro
About Torrins
Photos by Ca
Over Freem
themlast an. Torrins has become a recognized name in the online music education world.
decade,
Over themission
Torrins’ last decade, Torrins
is to use has become
technology, a recognized
innovation name infor
& passion the online
music to music
spreadeducation
awarenessworld.
and
Torrins’ mission is to use technology, innovation & passion for music to spread awareness
music education all over the world. Through its website, www.torrins.com, Torrins provides video- and
music education all over the world. Through its website, www.torrins.com, Torrins provides video-
based instructional lessons on a variety of musical instruments, topics, styles, and genres to a variety
based
of instructional
audiences. lessons
In addition on a variety
to music lessonsof produced
musical instruments, topics,
with world-class styles, and
instructors andgenres to a variety
renowned
of audiences. In addition to music lessons produced with world-class instructors and renowned
music artists, the website features state-of- the-art video player controls, which has brought flexibility,
music artists, and
convenience, the website featureslearning
a personalized state-of-experience
the-art video
for player
music controls, which
enthusiasts has brought
all over flexibility,
the world.
convenience, and a personalized learning experience for music enthusiasts all over the world.
Since 2015, Torrins has developed a novel music education program for schools built on the mantra
Since
to bring2015, Torrins
learning has developed
to people a novel
instead of peoplemusic education
to learning. Theprogram
programfor schoolsa built
includes on the mantra
combination of
to bring learning to people instead of people to learning. The program includes a combination
classroom-based instruction by trained instructors, and online sessions via web-based application. of
classroom-based instruction by trained instructors, and online sessions via web-based application.
This instructional manual is part of the curriculum and is intended to be used as a reference together
This the
instructional manual is part of the curriculum and is intended to be used as a reference together
About
with
the Author
video lessons.
with the video lessons.

Dave holds a Masters of Music in Jazz & Studio Music (drum set) from the University of Memphis.
He  has over 20 years teaching - Daveexperience
Kropf, M.inMus. the US, Germany, Hungary, and the UK, including
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masterclasses,th or lessons, and classroom lectures. He has  spent the past 16 years in higher
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The the US.
Author - Michael Memphis.
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Dave Kropf has been working with Torrins for more than two years,
developing the unique curriculum to teach percussion and drums to
music enthusiasts all over the world.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction i
Introduction
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN I
WHAT YOU’LL
WHAT LEARN
YOU'LL NEED Ii
WHAT
HOWYOU’LL NEED
TO PRACTICE AT HOME III i
HOW TO PRACTICE AT HOME IV ii
METRONOME

SECTIONS AND
SECTIONS ICONS
AND USED
ICONS IN IN
USED THIS BOOK
THIS BOOK Viii
CHECK UP V
Lesson 1 - Getting Started
Lesson 1 - Getting Started 1
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SINGING
PARTS OF THE DRUM SET 1
1
THE BODY IS AN INSTRUMENT 1
PARTS OF THE STICK 8
PHYSICAL STRETCHES 2
HOLDING THE STICKS 10
PROPER BREATHING TECHNIQUE 4
POSTURE AND SNARE POSITION 15
BREATHING WITH PHONE BOOK 4
HITTING THE SNARE DRUM 19
THE METRONOME
LAY IT DOWN - THE “52” EXERCISE 23 5
LA’S - C CHROMATIC
LAY SCALE
IT DOWN - FOLLOW THE LEADER 24 6

TALENT
ADDING SHOW - SHOW WHAT YOU GOT!
VIBRATO 24 6
HIT
LA’S THEVIBRATO
WITH ROAD - PRACTICE AT HOME! 25 7
PRONUNCIATION 7
Lesson 2 - Reading Basic Rhythms 27
PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: A 7
THE PARTS OF THE MEASURE 27
EAR TRAINING: 1-2-3 (KEY OF C) 8
UNDERSTANDING QUARTER NOTES 30
“ALL TOGETHER NOW” 9
LAY IT DOWN - QUARTER NOTES 30

UNDERSTANDING HALF NOTES 31
Lesson 2 - Slow Breathing,
LAY IT DOWN “HA” & “E”
- HALF NOTES 31

UNDERSTANDING WHOLE NOTES 32

WARM-UPS 9
LAY IT DOWN - WHOLE NOTES 32
BALLOON EXERCISE 9
THE RHYTHM TREE 33
WARM-UP: HA 10
UNDERSTANDING RESTS 34
PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: E
LAY IT DOWN - PLAYING RESTS 3410
EAR TRAINING:
HIT THE ROAD1-2-3-4
- OFF(KEY OF C) 3511
WE GO!
PARTS OF AROAD
HIT THE SONG
- MUSICAL SYMBOLS 3611
“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - HMM’S 12
Lesson 3 - Putting It on the Drum Set 37
“HO HEY” 12
BASICS OF DRUM SET NOTATION 37

Lesson 3SITTING AT THE Breathing,

- Controlled DRUM SET Vocal sound “I” 38
PLAYING THE HI-HAT 40
WARM-UPS
LAY IT DOWN - PLAYING THE HI-HAT 4113
PAPER WALL BREATHING EXERCISE 13
PITCH ACCURACY: INTERVAL TRAINING - STACCATO (1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-6, 1-5-4) 14
a
PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: I 14

 EAR TRAINING: 1-2-3-4-5 (KEY OF C) 15
“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - LA’S & I’S 15
“COUNT ON ME” 16

Lesson 4 - Percussive Breathing and Warm-Ups

WARM-UPS 17
PERCUSSIVE BREATHING 17
PITCH ACCURACY: SLURRING / LEGATO (1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-6, 1-5-4) 18
PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: O 19
EAR TRAINING: 1-8 (OCTAVES - KEY OF C) 19
“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - SLURRING / LEGATO 20
“SHINE YOUR WAY” 20

Lesson 5 - Alternating Exercise & “Perfect” pt. 2

WARM-UPS 21
ALTERNATING - AHH & FEE 22
PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: U 22

EAR TRAINING: 1-3-5-8 (MA) 23
“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - NEXT SECTION 23
“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - APPLYING VOWELS 23
CHOOSE A SONG TO SING 24

Introduction

Welcome to
Welcome to Torrins
Torrins/Sankram Drums
Vocal LEVEL 1! LEVEL 1!

You're about to
You’re about to start
start the
the awesome
awesome journey
journey ofof learning
learning to
to sing,
play drums,
a journeya journey
that is that is
both challenging and rewarding! Whether you want to jam in a rock band or
both challenging and rewarding! Whether you want to sing for just for fun, beswing
a leadin
a jazz combo,
vocalist or singthis
in aseries
group,ofthis
lessons
serieswill
of get you ready
lessons will gettoyou
sit behind
ready to the
hitkit with with
notes skill
and
skill conÞdence!
and confidence!

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

LEVEL
LEVEL 11 is is geared
geared towards beginners and
towards beginners and assumes
assumes you you might
might be
be singing
picking up the for
publicly
sticks fortime.
the first the Þrst
Eventime. Even
if you if youado
do know know
little a little
about aboutyou’re
singing, the drums, you're
still sure stillsome
to find sure
to Þnd new
useful somestuff
useful new stuff
in these in these lessons!
lessons!

LEVEL 1 covers the following topics:

• THE
TheBODY
The parts of
parts of the
AS the drum
ANguitar set
INSTRUMENT, STRETCHES AND WARM-UPS
• BREATHING
Correct drum set playing technique
EXERCISES
• Music notation and reading rhythms up to 8th notes and 8th note rests
EAR TRAINING
• Basic Coordination for playing drum patterns including up to 8th notes and
8th note rests
PRONUNCIATION
• PITCH
Fills and Phrasing
ACCURACY
• Rudiments: The Single Stroke Roll, Double Stroke Roll, Paradiddle
SONG SINGING
• Dynamics and dynamic changes
Hopefully, by the end of this Level, you will be able to move on to more advanced
concepts to further boost your creativity!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
You will need the following items throughout LEVEL 1:

• Sticks
• Pad
• Drum Throne
• Drum

i i
PRACTICE

Singing is not just something you can quickly be good at. Everyone will start with
different entry level ability but to get better, you’ll need to practice regularly. This
includes warming up before every session and maintaining strength in the muscles
you’ll be using.

While learning to sing, you’re going to be making some non-musical sounds with your
voice. Having a space where you can feel free to practice without fear of judgement as
you’re getting better will be important to building confidence as well as ability.

While doing these exercises in class, you’re going to feel silly. But so is everyone else
so don’t be hesitant about looking or sounding funny. The faster you get comfortable
with how these exercises look and sound, the faster you’ll get better.

You will need access to this book and the internet in your practice space, so try and
find a regular space if possible, and set it up in advance so that you can use it quickly
and easily.

HOW TO PRACTICE AT HOME

There are written exercises that accompany many lessons. It’s perfectly
understandable that you are anxious to get your skills together quickly, but learning
to sing takes time. These exercises reinforce the concepts and techniques shown
throughout the course, so be sure to take your time and practice them regularly.

We’ll be going over these exercises during the lessons, but it’s also important that you
go over the material in between meeting times.

Slow and accurate practice provides greater benefits and will make sure that you have
a good foundation to build upon! Most importantly, remember to have patience with
yourself and allow for enough time to let these new ideas and techniques to sink in.

Also, be sure to practice a little each day. It’s always better to practice a little every day
instead of trying to cram a lot into one practice session. You’ll have great results with
just 30 to 60 minutes of practice a day!

ii
SECTIONS AND ICONS USED IN THIS BOOK

GEAR 101

These sections focus on information

providing you about the instrument
information and
about the
things youand
structure need to know
different about
parts the guitar
of the different
as aspects of theuseful
well as other piano.tools
We’ll lookhelp
that can at what
you makes
out withthe parts
your soundand
practice thedevelopment.
way they do and how
they’re put together.

THE WOODSHED

These
These sections
sections cover
cover the different
speciÞc techniques
techniques andand methods
concepts used
about
to play the guitar. Playing the
playing the piano effectively. guitar requires good posture and
technique, so we cover those aspects as well.

THE READING ROOM

In these
These sections
sections we highlight
cover andofexplain
all aspects readingthe concepts
musical of music
notation
and understanding music theory.
theory which will help you understand and create music. We also
focus on reading music notation.

LAY IT DOWN

These sections are various exercises and activities that allow

you to directly apply the various techniques and concepts learned
in the lessons.

CHECK UP

These
These sections
sections are
are for
for different
different quizzes,
warm-ups,dictation,
quizzes,and
and sight-
sight-
reading
reading exercises
exercises that
that test
test your knowledge and
you knowledge and understanding
understanding
of
of music
music theory
theory and
and the
the concepts
concepts shown
shown throughout
throught thethe lessons.
lessons.

iiiiii
iii
 HIT THE ROAD

These sections are activities for you to work on at home

during your own personal practice time, because it’s vital that
you work on the material between lesson times. You will notice a
direct improvement in your skills if you take the time to practice at home.

TALENT SHOW

These sections are activities that let you show your stuff!
There’s nothing written and you get to play whatever comes
to mind!

ic o n is u s e d to call
Pro Tip! This s , o r s hortcuts!
in ts , ti p
out speciÞc h

vi
iv
DRUMS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1

Lesson Getting Started

1 - Getting
Lesson 1 Started

It all starts with a good foundation, so if you’re ready to go, let’s get started!

In today’s lesson we’re going to learn about:

• FUNDAMENTALS
THE The parts of the drumOF
set SINGING:

• THE
The parts of a drum stick
BODY IS AN INSTRUMENT
• Holding sticks correctly
PHYSICAL STRETCHES
• Sitting properly to play drums
• PROPER
Correctly striking the snare drum
BREATHING

PRONUNCIATION
GEAR 101
PITCH TRAINING

PARTSSINGING
OF THE STRENGTH
DRUM SET EXERCISES

THE BODY IS AN INSTRUMENT

Whenever you sing, it should not only be your voice that
is singing, but you – the total you.

When you sing, your whole body should become a

musical instrument.
From head to toe, you transform yourself into a musical
instrument that sings.

When you sing, imagine yourself as just another musical

instrument like the piano, guitar or trumpet.

Play your voice and your whole body like you would play
these instruments.

Do whatever you need to get the best sound out of your

body.

You may need to stand on your tip toes, make a strange face, move your arms in a
funny way or any number of other things that may seem silly at first but imagine you
are an instrument and every little motion you do causes your singing to change.

1
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1

Eventually, you’ll learn how your body functions while you’re singing and these things
will be natural.

For now, don’t be afraid to experiment with motion and expressions while singing.

PHYSICAL STRETCHES

Before we can sing properly, our body has to be relaxed and flexible.

We do some pretty strange looking and sounding exercises to stretch our bodies so
they’re ready to make music.

“Singing is a muscle” is an important phrase to remember. Just like any other

muscle, if the voice is not used, it will get weak. If it’s not warmed up or stretched
properly, it can get damaged.

These exercises should be done everyday but if you can’t, they should be done at
least everyday you plan on singing.

They will be done everyday of this class along with our additional warm-ups we’ll be
learning.

1. BREATHING - “Singing is breathing” - We will discuss proper breathing in the next

section but for now, breathe 10 deep breaths at a slightly slow speed. Your belly
should inflate when you breathe in and get smaller when you exhale.

2. BOUNCE YOUR KNEES - If your body is locked up, especially at your knees, your
voice will follow. Bounce from the knees for 10 seconds or so to loosen up your legs.
Remember when singing to stay relaxed and don’t lock your knees while standing.

3. SHAKE IT OUT - It’s time to get goofy! Shake your arms and legs, hands and feet
for 10 seconds. Lift your arms up and wave your hands around. Kick your legs and
feet out like wet noodles. If you want to scrunch your face and stick out your tongue,
go for it! Everyone is going to look ridiculous so feel free to get silly!

4. HIPS LOOSENING - Put your hands on

your hips and circle them in one direction
for 6 rotations. Now, circle them in the other
direction for 6 rotations. Go back and do 6
more the first way. Now, 6 more the other way.
Try to keep the rest of your body as still as
possible.

2
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1

head r - Stick your arms out to your side like an airplane.

Do 6 small circles your arms in one direction then
do 6 more the other way.
Now, do 6 really larger circles in one direction and
then 6 more the other way.

This will make our necks feel a bit stiff. Let’s do

some gentle head rolls.
Roll your head slowly and carefully in one direction 4 times then go back the other
way 4 times.
If you feel you need to do a few more to release the tension in your neck, go for it just
don’t strain or pull your neck too hard while doing this.
We always want to be careful when stretching our neck.

6. PULLING FACES - Time to get really silly! We want our faces to be relaxed so
they can vibrate properly while we’re singing. To do this, we need to make some
faces.

The first one is the LION FACE - drop your jaw like a yawn then
stick your tongue out as far as you can - you can say AHH if it
helps! Hold this for 2 seconds.

The next face we’ll do is called

BEES. We’ll tighten our face as
if we’re scared of being stung
by bees. Scrunch up your fists
and shoulders. Hold this for 2
seconds.
LION FACE
BEES FACE
Repeat both of these faces 2 more times for a total of 3 each.

7. LOOSE LIPS - The last physical stretch we’ll do is to get our lips loose and ready
to move. Press your lips together and buzz to make the noise of an airplane. Have
the noise get lower and higher in pitch by blower harder and softer. You will probably
let some spit fly so aim your head down a little and try not to get any on your fellow
students!

We’ll be doing this series of exercises every class before

all our other warm-ups to make sure our instruments
(our bodies) are loose and ready to make music!

3
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1

PROPER BREATHING TECHNIQUE - PHONE BOOK EXERCISE

Breathing properly for singing is done by using your
DIAPHRAGM or the muscle behind your lower ribs in the
center of your abdomen.

When you breathe in, your stomach should inflate and as

you breathe out, it will deflate.

To exemplify this, we use the PHONE BOOK EXERCISE.

Laying flat on our back on the floor, we place a hard book or a piece of light board on
our stomach. When breathing in, we should see it rise up with our breath.

Breathing in - the board goes up Breathing out - the board drops

If we’re breathing into our chest instead of our diaphragm, the book / board will drop
when we breathe in.

BREATHING WITH PHONE BOOK

Breathe in for 1 breath, out for 1 breath.
Breathe in for 1 breath, out for 2 breaths.
Breathe in for 1 breath, out for 3 breaths.
Breathe in for 1 breath, out for 4 breaths.
Breathe in for 1 breath, out for 5 breaths.
Breathe in for 1 breath, out for 6 breaths.

4
 VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1

You must Þnd a good place to practice, where you will have some uninterrupted time
ADDING
daily. You must alsoNOTES
be able to sit at your keyboard or piano, in the proper position
for your arms and hands.
Breathe in for 1 breath, sing out “LA” for as long as you can comfortably.
Repeat this with “LA” going up in pitch for 6 more notes (don’t worry if they are
You will need access to your metronome, this book, and the internet in your practice
correct, just feel the pitch going higher and the breathing is proper).
space, so try and Þnd a regular space if possible, and set it up in advance so that
you can use it quickly and easily.
Your instructor may play the notes as you do this exercise for better tone accuracy.

FUTURE EXERCISES
HOW TO PRACTICE AT HOME
Aswritten
There are we learn more exercises,
exercises if you are
that accompany having
many troubleIt'sgetting
lessons. the breath or want to
perfectly
understandable
feel howthat
the you are anxious
breathing shouldtobeget yourcome
done, skills back
together
to thisquickly, butoflearning
method laying on the
piano takes time. These exercises reinforce the concepts and techniques shown
floor with a book / board on your belly.
throughout the course, so be sure to take your time and practice them nice and slow.
This will ensure you are breathing correctly through the exercise.
WeÕll be going over these exercises during the lessons, but itÕs also important that
you go over the material in-between meeting times.

Slow and deliberate practice provides greater beneÞts and will make sure that you
have a good foundation to build upon! Most importantly, remember to have patience
with yourself and allow for enough time to let these new ideas and techniques to sink
in.

Also, be sure to practice a little each day. ItÕs always better to practice a little every
day instead of trying to cram a lot into one practice session. YouÕll have great results
with just 30 to 60 minutes of practice a day!

THE METRONOME
A metronome is a device that keeps a steady beat. It’s a good idea to get a
metronome and practice with it as much as possible!
METRONOME
Just be sure you can hear it as you play along.

A metronome is a device
If you can’t thathands
get your keepsona asteady
separatebeat. ItÕs a good
metronome,
idea to get
there are plenty of smart phone apps that you as
a metronome and practice with it as much canpossible!
Just be sure you can(many
use instead hear itofas you free!),
them play along.
or websites that
provide controllable metronomes online.
If you canÕt get your hands on a separate metronome, there are
plenty ofWesmart
will phone
want toapps thatmetronome
use the you can usewhen instead
we (many
are of
them free!), andthings
holding metronomes are often
to a specific built into keyboards.
count. keyboards.


ii
5
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1

LA’S - C CHROMATIC SCALE

The C Chromatic Scale is just each key on the keyboard going in order from C to the
next C.

Take a quick / catch breath and fill up your stomach

(diaphragm).

On each note (starting at C), match the pitch with

your LA sound as you breath out the note for 8
counts.

We’ll go up the scale chromatically or one note at a

time until we get to the higher C.

Be sure to open your mouth wide, push from the stomach as you sing and stay
relaxed in your throat and shoulders.

ADDING VIBRATO
VIBRATO is a slight variation in pitch which has a pulsating effect. It produces a
strong, noticeable vibrating tone.
An exaggerated way of hearing this is to say “Wah wah wah wah” - you can hear the
tone moving slightly up and town in the phrase.

Singing STRAIGHT is with no variation in pitch and no vibrato.

The vibrato occurs when your vocal chords are relaxed and you’re controlling the air
flow from your diaphragm.

Remember to push with your stomach and don’t squeeze your throat.

Some people will have an easier time feeling the vibrato at first but as you warm up
and get more control of your breathing, the vibrato will become easier and easier to
produce.

Feel free to experiment and go a little wild while trying to get a feel for the vibrato.
Try short and fast plus long and slow variations. It will feel a bit forced at first but
keep at it and it will come more naturally over time.

6
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1

EXERCISE - LA’S WITH VIBRATO

Breathe in for 1 breath, sing out “LA” for 8 counts to the beat adding a bit of vibrato at
the end of your note.

Go through all the notes of the C chromatic scale (like in the previous exercise)

PRONUNCIATION
It is critical to pronounce vowel sounds strongly when singing.
Vowel sounds make up the tones we hear when listening to singers hold notes.

We can’t really hold consonant sounds while singing.

T’s, D’s, and K sounds for example can only accent tones. Try to sing a T sound like
in the word “Talk” for 2 seconds straight. It’s impossible unless we are just repeating
the T sound.

It is the vowel sounds that give us room to hold notes.

PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: “A”

Open your mouth wide when practicing these vowel sounds, even if it’s wider than
you normally would sing.

Sing the following phrases on the C note:

DAY
MAY
MMMDAY
MMMMAY

If you’re feeling a lot vibration in your head, that’s good and it may tickle a bit at first
but you’ll get used to it.

Look at yourself in a mirror when you do this and be sure your mouth is opening fully.

7
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1

EAR TRAINING: 1-2-3 (KEY OF C)

1 is C
2 is D
3 is E

We want to sing the number as we play the corresponding

note.

Sing 1-2-3 then 3-2-1 matching the notes as you hear them.

Try skipping from note to note (for example: 3-1-2-1-3-2) and sing the correct
numbered note slightly before playing it on the keyboard.

This will get your brain and ear trained to recognize the specific notes for the scale /
key we’re in.

THE BEATLES - “ALL TOGETHER NOW”

Now it’s time to sing!

“All together now” is a fun song we can all sing without a lot of trouble.

We’ll listen to the song first twice through then we’ll sing along with the video that has
the words.

Don’t worry about being perfect, just stay relaxed and have fun!

8
DRUMS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 2

Lesson 12 -- Getting
Lesson Started “HA” & “E”
Slow Breathing,

It all starts with a good foundation, so if you’re ready to go, let’s get started!

In today’s lesson we’re going to learn about:

WARM-UPS
•
The parts of the drum set
First, we need to do our PHYSICAL STRETCHES:
• The parts of a drum stick
• Holding sticks
1. BREATHING: 10 deep breaths
correctly
2. BOUNCE YOUR KNEES: 10 seconds of loose bouncing from the knees
• Sitting
3. SHAKE IT properly
OUT: Shaketo play
outdrums
your hands / legs for 10 seconds
4. HIPS LOOSENING: Hands on the hips, 6 rotations each direction twice
• Correctly
5. NECK
striking the snare drum
AND SHOULDERS: Arms out, 6 circles each direction twice + head rolls
6. PULLING FACES: Lion Face and Bee Face for 2 seconds each three times
7. LOOSE LIPS: Buzz your lips like an airplane higher and lower for 15 seconds
GEAR 101
Now, we’ll do our VOCAL STRETCHES

PARTS OF
LA’s - We THE
want DRUM
to do SET
our LA’s up the C chromatic scale (from C to C), holding each
note for 4 counts at 75 BPM on the metronome. Take a quick breath between notes.

MMMMAY- Like the LA’s, we’ll do each note up the C chromatic scale. We can still
use the metronome at 75 BPM for 4 clicks though we will only sing for 2 clicks, then
take a breath for the next phrase.

MMMDAY - do the same exercise pattern as MMMMAY.

BALLOON EXERCISE
Breath control is critical for good singing.

This exercise will help develop sustained breathing needed to

support long phrases.

-Place one hand on your stomach / diaphragm and the other on

your chest so you can feel the air inflating properly.

-Take a deep breath

-Slowly let the air out of you mouth with an “S” sound, like a balloon slowly leaking
air.
1

9
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 2

-Time yourself - see how long you can exhale comfortably.

If you get light headed or dizzy during this or any exercise, stop and breathe naturally.

WARM-UP: “HA”

This exercise will felt strongly in the diaphragm.

-Place one hand on your stomach / diaphragm so you can feel the movement.

-Breathing through your mouth only, push with your diaphragm / stomach muscles
and make the sound “HA”.

You want a hollow sound that comes from your abdomen so open your mouth wide
while doing this.

-Going up the C chromatic scale, do 8 HA’s per note.

PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: “E”

With the vowel sound “E”, you’ll want to smile big
while singing.

Sing the following phrases:

E
BE
ME
SEE
Smile wide to get the E sound
MMMEEE
MMMBEE
MMMSEE

Look at yourself in a mirror when you do this and be sure your mouth is opening in
a big smile.

This will be added to our “A” sound exercise for our daily warm-ups.

10
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 2

EAR TRAINING: 1-2-3-4 (KEY OF C)

1 is C
2 is D
3 is E
4 is F

Again, we want to sing the number as we play

the corresponding note.

We’ll try skipping from 1 to 4 (C to F).

Try going from 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 and other intervals, such as 2-4, 2-3, 3,4 to get used to
the way the different notes / numbers sound.

PARTS OF A SONG
Songs we sing typically have similar parts.

There is usually an INTRODUCTION - the beginning riff or music of the song.

Sometimes this contains one of the vocal parts.

VERSES - a verse tells the story of the song.

CHORUS - a chorus is the repeating part of the song that you can easily sing along
to and remember.

BRIDGE - a bridge ties 2 sections of the song together. Sometimes it ties the
CHORUS to another VERSE or to an ending.

OUTRO/ ENDING - the ending of the song. Sometimes it is just another CHORUS
repeated over and over.

There may also be INSTRUMENTAL SOLOS in sections, which are usually played
over a VERSE or CHORUS riff that has no vocals.

11
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 2

“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - HMM’S

For Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”, we’re going to do Hum’s / Hmm’s and LA’s

The song’s original key is G# (sharp) so it is a bit higher than we’ll be singing
here but in the video, we’ll have a few examples of different keys to sing in so it’s
comfortable for you.

We will just be doing the first section of the verse but eventually, we’ll be learning all
of the parts as well as the words.

Have fun trying Hmm’s in different places and see what feels right to you.

“HO HEY” - THE LUMINEERS

“Ho Hey” has a vocal part that is a little lower in pitch at the beginning.

Some of you might have to sing it a bit higher until the 2nd verse starts.

Listen to the song with vocals twice through before trying to sing it without the vocals.

For fun, split into groups and have one group sing the “HO HEY” part while the other
group sings the verses then switch groups.

Everyone can sing the chorus - the part that says “I belong to you, you belong to me,
you’re my sweetheart.

12
DRUMS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 3

Lesson 13 -- Getting
Lesson Started
Controlled Breathing, Vocal Sound “I”

It all starts with a good foundation, so if you’re ready to go, let’s get started!

In today’s lesson we’re going to learn about:

WARM-UPS
• The parts of the drum set
First, we need to do our PHYSICAL STRETCHES:
• The parts of a drum stick
1. BREATHING: 10 deep breaths
• Holding
2. BOUNCE sticks
YOUR correctly
KNEES: 10 seconds of loose bouncing from the knees
3. SHAKE IT OUT: Shake out your hands / legs for 10 seconds
• Sitting properly to play drums
4. HIPS LOOSENING: Hands on the hips, 6 rotations each direction twice
• Correctly
5. NECK striking the snare
AND SHOULDERS: Armsdrum
out, 6 circles each direction twice + head rolls
6. PULLING FACES: Lion Face and Bee Face for 2 seconds each three times
7. LOOSE LIPS: Buzz your lips like an airplane higher and lower for 15 seconds
GEAR
Now, we’ll do101
our VOCAL STRETCHES

LA’s - We want to do our LA’s up the C chromatic scale (from C to C), holding each
PARTS
note for 4OF THEatDRUM
counts 75 BPMSETon the metronome. Take a quick breath between notes.

HA’s - We’ll do our HA’s up the C chromatic scale as well, with 8 HA’s per note.

MMMMAY - We’ll do each note up the C chromatic scale. We can still use the
metronome at 75 BPM for 4 clicks though we will only sing for 2 clicks, then take a
breath for the next phrase.

MMMEEE - do the same exercise pattern as MMMMAY

PAPER WALL BREATHING EXERCISE

To further breath control, we want to project
strong, constant breath pressure.

A good exercise for this development is to

place a small piece of paper against a wall
and blow a stream of air at it to hold it in
place.

We want to be able to hold this piece of

paper against the wall with our breath for at least 5-7 seconds.
1

13
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 3

Have a partner time you as you do this and see how long you can keep the paper up!

If it starts to drift down a bit, you can follow it but make sure to maintain air pressure
and if it falls completely, start again.

PITCH ACCURACY: INTERVAL TRAINING - STACCATO

(1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-6, 1-5-4)
In this activity, we’ll be doing intervals similar to our ear training exercises only we’ll
be extending higher up the scale.

These notes will be in the key of F major, which has a B Flat note.

We’ll be singing LA’s in the pattern played on the video / audio.

We want our notes STACCATO or short and precise.

Be sure to keep your mouth open wide and have the tongue hit the roof of your
mouth as you sing your LA’s.

This exercise will help you develop your pitch recognition as you follow the tones.

PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: “I”

With the vowel sound “I” you’ll want to smile big while singing.

Sing the following phrases in our chromatic C scale:

FLY
CRY
HMMFLY
HMMCRY
HMM-MY

You can feel the back of the tongue touching the back teeth during your “I” exercises.

14
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 3

EAR TRAINING: 1-2-3-4-5 (KEY OF C)

1 is C
2 is D
3 is E
4 is F
5 is G

We’ll try skipping from 1 to 5 (C to G).

Try going up the scale 1-2-3-4-5 and back

down 5-4-3-2-1

Pivot scale exercises: 1-2,1-3,1-4,1-5

We have a bit more distance between our notes which gives us more room to
experiment with our numbers.

Write down some numbers and go between them, matching your pitches as you play
and sing.

“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - LA’S & I’S

For Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”, we’re going to do LA’s and our new vowel sound: I

We will still be focusing on the first section of the verse but as we introduce new
exercises, it’s important to incorporate them with what we’ve already learned so we
can feel the melodies through our different sounds.

15
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 3

“COUNT ON ME” - BRUNO MARS

“Count on me” is a pretty simple rhythm song but has a high part in the middle.

If you can’t sing as high as Bruno Mars, try to go lower with the pitch.

Listen to the original song twice through then sing along with the version without
vocals.

16
DRUMS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 4

Lesson 14 -- Getting
Lesson Started
Percussive Breathing and Warm-ups

It all starts with a good foundation, so if you’re ready to go, let’s get started!

In today’s lesson we’re going to learn about:

WARM-UPS
•
The parts of the drum set
First, we need to do our PHYSICAL STRETCHES:
• The parts of a drum stick
• Holding sticks
1. BREATHING: correctly
10 deep breaths
2. BOUNCE YOUR KNEES: 10 seconds of loose bouncing from the knees
• Sitting
3. SHAKE properly
IT OUT: to play
Shake outdrums
your hands / legs for 10 seconds
4. HIPS LOOSENING: Hands on the hips, 6 rotations each direction twice
• Correctly striking the snare drum
5. NECK AND SHOULDERS: Arms out, 6 circles each direction twice + head rolls
6. PULLING FACES: Lion Face and Bee Face for 2 seconds each three times
7. LOOSE LIPS: Buzz your lips like an airplane higher and lower for 15 seconds
GEAR 101
Now, we’ll do our VOCAL STRETCHES

PARTS OF
LA’s - We THE
want DRUM
to do SET
our LA’s up the C chromatic scale (from C to C), holding each
note for 4 counts at 75 BPM on the metronome. Take a quick breath between notes.

HA’s - We’ll do our HA’s up the C chromatic scale as well, with 8 HA’s per note.

MMMMAY - We’ll do each note up the C chromatic scale. We can still use the
metronome at 75 BPM for 4 clicks though we will only sing for 2 clicks, then take a
breath for the next phrase.

MMMEEE - do the same exercise pattern as MMMMAY

HMM-MY - do the same exercise pattern as MMMMAY and HMMMEE

PERCUSSIVE BREATHING

PERCUSSIVE BREATHING is pushing air quickly out of the diaphragm.

The opposite of gasping, it feels like a quick punch of air outward with the stomach
muscles.

17
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 4

Playing on the C note, we’ll take our HA sound and push out one HA per breath.

We will then do 2 HA’s per breath on the same note.

We’ll then do 3 HA’s per breath on the note.

16th notes, or 4 HA’s per breath is the final exercise we’ll

do.

If you’re up to the challenge, try 6 HA’s per breath!

This will really help get the muscles in the stomach

strong.

Be sure to relax after each series of percussive breathing

exercises.

PITCH ACCURACY: SLURRING / LEGATO

(1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-6, 1-5-4)
We will be doing the same tones over our F major scale pattern chromatically only
this time, we’ll be slurring our tones instead of punctuating.

The slurring or blending is called LEGATO.

This exercise is going to be more difficult to breathe through.

Take a deep breath before each series of notes.

Try adding a little vibrato to your notes.

Go through every note from F to F chromatically as it is done on the audio recording.

18
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 4

PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: “O”

With the vowel sound “O”, you’ll want to make the shape of
an O large with your mouth.

Sing the following phrases in our chromatic C scale:

GO
NO
MMMGO
MMMNO

EAR TRAINING: 1-8 (OCTAVES - KEY OF C)

1 is C
2 is D
3 is E
4 is F
5 is G
8 is C

We’ll try skipping from 1 to 8 (C to C).

Another great exercise is the CHORD TONE movement from 1-3-5-8.

Pivot scale exercises: 1-3, 1-5, 1-8

1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-8

Try to sing these numbers with feeling and care.

Your voice should be developing a bit by now so making the notes sound smooth and
pleasing should be a goal.

19
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 4

“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - SLURRING / LEGATO

For Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”, we’re going use our new vowel sound: O

Using the O sound we’ve learned, sing the first verse of the song while keeping the
notes smooth and connected (legato).

After running through the piece with the O sound, go back and do your other vowel
sounds (A, E, I) while staying smooth and connected.

“SHINE YOUR WAY” FROM THE CROODS

In “Shine your way”, we hear an example of HARMONY.

Harmony is when two different notes are sung or played at the same time.

We have two vocal parts going on, a lower one and a higher one.

Let’s listen to the song twice through with vocals then we’ll sing it together.

For fun, we can split into groups and have the lower singers try the lower vocal part
and the higher singers sing the higher part.

Don’t worry about if it’s a boy part or girl part - figure out which part feels more
comfortable for you and sing that!

20
DRUMS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 1
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 5

Lesson 15 -- Getting
Lesson Started
Alternating Exercise & “Perfect” pt. 2

It all starts with a good foundation, so if you’re ready to go, let’s get started!

In today’s lesson we’re going to learn about:

WARM-UPS
• The parts of the drum set
First,
• we need
The to of
parts doaour PHYSICAL
drum stick STRETCHES:

• Holding sticks
1. BREATHING: correctly
10 deep breaths
2. BOUNCE YOUR KNEES: 10 seconds of loose bouncing from the knees
• Sitting
3. SHAKE IT properly
OUT: Shaketo play
outdrums
your hands / legs for 10 seconds
4. HIPS LOOSENING:
• Correctly strikingHands on the
the snare drumhips, 6 rotations each direction twice
5. NECK AND SHOULDERS: Arms out, 6 circles each direction twice + head rolls
6. PULLING FACES: Lion Face and Bee Face for 2 seconds each three times
7. LOOSE LIPS: Buzz your lips like an airplane higher and lower for 15 seconds
GEAR 101
Now, we’ll do our VOCAL STRETCHES

PARTS OF
LA’s - We THE
want DRUM
to do SET
our LA’s up the C chromatic scale (from C to C), holding each
note for 4 counts at 75 BPM on the metronome. Take a quick breath between notes.

HA’s - We’ll do our HA’s up the C chromatic scale as well, with 8 HA’s per note.

MMMMAY - We’ll do each note up the C chromatic scale. We can still use the
metronome at 75 BPM for 4 clicks though we will only sing for 2 clicks, then take a
breath for the next phrase.

MMMEEE - do the same exercise pattern as MMMMAY

HMM-MY - do the same exercise pattern as MMMMAY and HMMMEE

MMMGO - do the same exercise pattern as MMMMAY, HMMMEE, and HMM-MY

21
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 5

ALTERNATING - AHH & FEE

We’ll be doing OCTAVES for this exercise (8 notes apart).

We’ll do the C Chromatic scale and go through

all the notes from C to C using AHH using the
legato / slurring technique.

Next, do the C Chromatic scale using FEE

through all the notes using the staccato or
punctuated technique. An OCTAVE from C to C

Now we’ll alternate both phrases, doing AHH for the first note up and down, then FEE
for the second note up and down until we get all the way through our C chromatic
scale.

PRONUNCIATION ACTIVITY: “U”

With the vowel sound “U”, you’ll be pinching your mouth to
form the shape.

Our mouth will be the smallest for “U” than any other vowel
sound.

Sing the following phrases in our chromatic C scale:

YUU
HMMYUU

22
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 5

EAR TRAINING: 1-3-5-8 (MA)

1 is C
2 is D
3 is E
4 is F
5 is G
8 is C

We’ll be doing 1-3-5-8-5-3-1 using the phrase MA all in one breath.

Write out some additional patterns and try to sing all the pitches accurately.
Use only the numbers we’ve learned (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8).

“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - NEXT SECTION

For Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”, we’re now on to the 2nd section of the song, the pre-
chorus.

Let’s use our AHH sound to follow this melody.

Next, let’s try our U vowel sound over the melody.

“PERFECT” - ED SHEERAN - APPLYING VOWELS

Let’s combine both parts we’ve learned using our AHH vowel sound and sing over
the melody of “Perfect”.

23
VOCALS - LEVEL 1 Lesson 5

CHOOSE A SONG TO SING

We’re going to break into groups and sing one of the 4 songs we’ve learned so far.

Choose between “All Together Now”, “Ho Hey”, “Count On Me”, or “Shine Your Way”.

Have fun singing together and see how much you’ve improved since we first started!

24