POP-ROCK DRUMS
PREPARATORY COURSE
Preparatory course in Pop-rock drumming
The Preparatory Pop Rock Drumming Course at the Saint Louis College of Music is an intensive preparatory course designed for admission to first-level academic courses.
The program is designed for students who wish to develop solid technical and musical skills in modern drumming within a professional teaching context.
The course includes individual drum lessons, ensemble music workshops from trio to medium-sized ensembles, with live performances in clubs in the Capital. Training is complemented by rhythm section study for bass and drums, pop-rock harmony, ear training, modern piano and music technology, with a focus on pre-production of original music projects.
Duration 1 to 3 years, depending on entry level
Attendance 6 to 10 hours per week, in regular or long-distance mode, depending on the curriculum and student need
Where Rome, Saint Louis College of Music
Language Italian and English
The pre-academic course varies in length from 1 to 3 years, depending on the student’s entry level and pace of learning.
The teaching structure is designed to accompany progressively towardadmission to the first-level academic courses of the Saint Louis College of Music..
During the course you will acquire skills in the following areas:
- One-on-one pop rock drum lessons, with a teacher chosen by the student, to develop technique, rhythmic control and stylistic language.
- Formations from trio to quintet, led by professional musicians, to practice Italian and international pop rock repertoire both in the rehearsal room and live.
- Study of pop rock harmony, from tradition to contaminations with jazz harmony, ethnic music, nu-soul and contemporary languages.
- In-depth study of Popular Music styles in rhythm section, including rock, swing, reggae, shuffle, blues, and Caribbean and South American rhythmic patterns.
- Piano study, from technical basics to practical application of harmony, with reading of chord signatures and melodies of medium difficulty.
- Introduction to music technology, including use of sequencing software, notions of microphoning and principles of sound synthesis for music pre-production.
Upon successful completion of the Pre-Academic Drumming Course, the student directly enters the three-year Level I Academic Diploma in Popular Music, a degree recognized by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), issued by the Saint Louis College of Music..
The academic track enables the development of artistic, technical and professional skills useful for entry into the contemporary music industry, both in live and studio settings.
Career outlets of the Three-Year Academic Level I Program in Pop Drums.
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Artist and band leader of original music projects, in the areas of Pop, Rock and Contemporary Music
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Professional drummer for live performance, touring and studio recording sessions
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Arranger for small and medium-sized ensembles, in pop- rock contexts
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Music producer, with expertise in the implementation and development of artistic projects
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Author of music for soundtracks and music applied to images, for audiovisual, media and digital content
The pre-academic Pop Rock Drumming courses at the Saint Louis College of Music do not start from scratch and assume at least two to three years of prior instrumental practice. The pathway is designed for students who have already acquired the technical basics and wish to structure their training in preparation for entry to first-level academic courses.
Entrance testing and personalization
It is possible to enter the first year or to be admitted directly to the second or third pre-academic year, depending on the level of preparation demonstrated during the pre-academic placement test. For each subject, the student is placed in the level best suited to his or her skills. For example, it is possible to be admitted to the third level of bass, the second level of harmony and the first level of ear training. Each discipline then follows its own path, calibrated to the student’s actual level, ensuring a coherent, effective and personalized educational progression.
How the entrance test is conducted
Entrance tests for Saint Louis pre-college courses are held:
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in June
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In September, exclusively for any places still available
The entrance test evidence includes:
- Drumming test, performance of one or more songs or exercises of the student’s choice, in-depth study required by the committee (see the admission program by clicking on “Download syllabus“)
- Harmony test, structured as per facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of harmony
- Ear training test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of ear training
- Aptitude interview aimed at assessing the student’s profile, awareness of the chosen path, and motivation
