After 3 eight week semesters the student will understand the proper technical approach to the drumset as it pertains to proper stick grip, hand position, stroke technique, and foot technique for playing the bass drum and Hi-Hat. This proper technique will enable the student to execute some introductory drum rudiments on the snare drum including the single stroke roll, double stroke roll, paradiddle, flam, drag and others.

The student will learn how to apply these techniques to the entire drumset and the roles the various parts of the drumset play in creating rhythmic patterns and fills.This will enable the student to understand and play a variety of styles on the drums, including rock, popular music, shuffles, blues and others. The student will then be able to apply these patterns to specific popular songs. The student will learn how to recognize and read rhythms, patterns and rudiments as they would appear in drum sheet music as well as understand how drum sheet music can be interpreted for musical effect.

In this 3 semester guitar course students will learn the fundamental techniques and musical skills to play the guitar in a variety of contexts. Each lesson will consist of technical development, chords and rhythm playing, and scales and melodic improvisation. Songs from a wide range of contemporary artists will be referenced to make the information immediately practical, placing the skills and information in usable musical applications.

Stylistically the course will focus on rock and pop, using well known songs as a basis for study. Song samples will not necessarily be note for note renditions, but will focus on basic chordal and rhythmic elements. Some songs to be covered are: Come Together, and Let It Be (Beatles), Keep Your Hands to Yourself (Georgia Satellites), Paint It Black (Rolling Stones), The Unforgiven (Metallica), Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) and various blues based songs.