Are Drum Grades Worth Doing

Why bother with drum grades?

It’s a good question and one that I am asked a lot. And actually there is no definitive answer. It really does depend on the individual, what their goals are and what they respond best to.

My overall view is that I don’t care what a student is learning as long as it is developing at least one area of their drumming and is keeping the fire burning inside. The worst scenario I can imagine as an educator is forcing an exam on someone who is excited about drumming and in doing so, putting out the fire so they no longer want to drum. That doesn’t help anyone, except that student’s neighbour who now doesn’t have to listen to drum practice coming through the walls!

But will they still learn the important stuff?

Over the years I have found ways to sneak all the theory, technique and sight reading that the exams offer through any aspect of drumming. So the student wants to learn Joey Jordison’s latest drum recording. Well guess what, they’re going to have to work on bass drum technique to get anywhere close to those speeds, I’ll write the grooves out so the student is developing their reading skills, we’ll build up the speed with a metronome so they’re practising their timing. We will still build all of those core skills no matter what we’re learning. But t

his way they want to go home and practise so they can sound like Joey Jordison rather than going home and ignoring drums because the stuffy old exam material doesn’t excite them.

However, for the right student the drum exam process can offer some great benefits. Of course, youngsters first have to get over the fact that it is called an exam which instantly makes them think of smelly old school halls whilst sweating over algebra that they are sure was never taught to them in class. But the drum grades are actually quite fun and consist largely of playing drums. The rest of it is talking about drums or listening to drums so there is no algebra in sight!

Benefits of drum grades

Here are some of the main benefits:

• A goal to aim for. For many (myself included) we need a goal, something to work towards. That motivates and keeps us on track. Without it we are aimless and far less likely to practice.
• Sense of achievement. The feeling when the envelope comes through the post and they open it to find the certificate. The sense of pride when all their family are telling them how proud they are. These are huge confidence builders. And that framed certificate on the wall is a constant reminder of what can be achieved with hard work.
• UCAS points. From grade 6 onward each exam offers UCAS points with different values depending on the result. These are necessary to get into universities and extra points from music exams can bolster your points from A-levels, etc.
• Getting into bands. You will not get a position in a rock band with your peers because you have a grade certificate. Although it might help in some cases if they’re impressed by that sort of thing. But usually they won’t be. However, any organised groups, such as a big band, college band, etc will easily know what level you’re at if you can state which grade you’re on. That might help them choose you above the guy that hasn’t done grades because they know you can read, have certain technique, can play a range of styles, etc.

All of those above benefits are great and might make the exam route perfect for you. But if not then that’s also fine. We are forced into enough activities against our will throughout life whether it’s a school subject or a work project. We don’t need to volunteer for more of that. Music should be fun. it should be about passion and creativity.

So if grade exams help us achieve that then that’s awesome, let’s do it. But if it doesn’t then let’s find the thing that excites you, the thing that makes you want to jump on the kit more than anything else. Because if that passion is there then you will put the hours in. And if you put the hours in then everything else will fall into place.

If you live in Surrey or Hampshire and want drum lessons contact us or use the form below to get lessons with Matt. If you live anywhere else in the world then jump over to Total Drummer when you can learn from him through the internet.