Please review the following information that outlines all key area’s for Grade 2 to know and common topics that are questioned to help with musical understanding.
Symbols
These symbols represent the different hi-hat commands that you’ll see. Please review the following explanations:
- + on the hi-hat means the hi-hat to keep closed
- O on the hi-hat means to play the hi-hat with the foot peddle open
- Diagonal line through the 0 means when a hi-hat is played half open. Therefore, slightly open your foot peddle half way and play it
- X on the bottom of the stave means to simply press down on the hi-hat peddle itself (don’t hit the hi-hat with your stick)
The images to your right represent a flam. This is when 2 notes are played very close together to make a ‘horse trotting’ feel. A left hand flam means Left hand is hit last. Therefore, a right hand flam is when a Right hand is hit last.
The image to your left shows a way of navigating through a piece of music. I.e., you play through a song, get to a Coda as shown just after the number ‘1’. Then you return back to the coda point and repeat.
The difference the second time round however when you get to the bar before the number ‘1’. You would not repeat this section again, but jump to number ‘2’ and play through.
To your right shows notes that are ‘accented’. This means that the parts of the drum kits that are being asked to be played are then played louder.
Rest Periods & Subdivisions
As shown above, these symbols represent the various rest periods that you can find in the exam books. A rest period is simply a note that tells the reader to stop playing. Key facts:
- Rest periods for example 1 beat means you stop for 1 count.
- ‘What do you do if a rest period appears on a snare line, but there’s other sheet music present?’ This simply means to not play a snare, continue with other notes requested.
Key theory point to know for the technical exercises is how to correctly count notes. For example, as shown in this image there are 5 notes broken into different sub-divisions.
The first two note are crotchets which have a count of 1 each. I.e., 1, 2, 3, 4. Then the 3rd and 4th note that are connected by 1 tail is a quaver which is faster. (1/2 note. So those 2 would now count, 1+).
Therefore, this line reading: 1, 2, 3+, 4.
If you feel confident in the information shown above, please click the button ‘mark as complete’ and move onto the next topic.
