Lesson 10 introduces the concept of Syncopation. There are two parts to this lesson. Part 1 deals with 8th note syncopation and Part 2 deals with 16th Note Syncopation. Exercise PDFs

LessonsChristian JohnsonJanuary 27, 2022Rhythm and Reading Series, Reading, Rhythm, Beginner, IntermediateComment

Lesson 9: Ties and Dots

Lesson 9 introduces two ways that composers can create longer duration sounds - Ties and Dots. I'll also cover rarer double dotted rhythms and briefly cover the 6/4 and 7/4 time signatures.

LessonsChristian JohnsonDecember 22, 2020Rhythm and Reading Series, Reading, Rhythm, Beginner, Intermediate Comment

How to Hold The Drum Sticks: Matched and Traditional Grip

This brief lesson shows you the proper grips for holding the drum sticks. There are two videos; one for matched grip and one for traditional grip. They’re great for beginners or old pros who want to see exactly how the stick should be held.

LessonsChristian JohnsonDecember 15, 2020Beginner, Matched Grip, Traditional Grip, LessonsComment

Lesson 8: Sixteenth Note Rests

Lesson 8 features 16th note rests and all of the places you can play (or not play) them! We also add the 2/4 time signature to our basket of time signatures.

LessonsChristian JohnsonDecember 8, 2020Rhythm and Reading Series, Reading, Rhythm, Intermediate, BeginnerComment

Lesson 7: Sixteenth Notes - Part 2

Here's Part 2 of the discussion on 16th notes. In this lesson I'll talk about mixing 16th's and 8th's to make totally new rhythms!

Lesson 6: Sixteenth Notes - Part 1

Lesson 6 is about 16th notes! I'll introduce the Table of Time and the multi-measure repeat sign. This is part 1 of a 2-part lesson.

LessonsChristian JohnsonNovember 25, 2020Rhythm and Reading Series, Rhythm, Reading, Intermediate, Beginner Comment

Lesson 5: Eighth Note Rests

In lesson 5, I'll do a recap of whole note, half note, and quarter note rests along with teaching about the 8th note rest. I'll also cover the concept of downbeats and upbeats and end with an introduction to the single measure repeat sign.

LessonsChristian JohnsonNovember 17, 2020Rhythm and Reading Series, Rhythm, Reading, Beginner, Intermediate

Lesson 4: Eighth Notes

In lesson 4, you'll learn about 8th notes and how to count them. I'll describe the parts of the note - notehead, stem, flag and beam. I'll also cover the concepts of subdivisions and subdividing the beat.

LessonsChristian JohnsonNovember 10, 2020Rhythm and Reading Series, Rhythm, Reading, Beginner, Intermediate Comment

Lesson 3: Half Notes and Half Note Rests

Lesson 3 is about the half note and half note rests. I also take a minute to introduce the 3/4 and 5/4 time signatures. I'm also pleasantly surprised by a whole note late in the video, so we'll cover that briefly.

LessonsChristian JohnsonNovember 5, 2020Rhythm and Reading Series, Rhythm, Reading, BeginnerComment

Lesson 2: Quarter Notes and Quarter Note Rests

In lesson 2, I introduce the quarter note, quarter note rest and explain the 4/4 time signature. We also have a new element of music: the repeat sign.

LessonsChristian JohnsonOctober 29, 2020Rhythm and Reading Series, Reading, Rhythm, BeginnerComment