RD Drums Method Books

02/11/2024

Good 4 U | Rockschool Drums Grade 3 2024
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Song Info

Artist: Olivia Rodrigo
Source: Sour (Album, 2021)
Genre: Pop Rock

The success of ‘good 4 u’ hinted at what was a growing trend within mainstream music; a revival of the pop-punk dominated era of the early 2000s. Rodrigo, alongside artists such as Machine Gun Kelly and WILLOW, was at the forefront of this 2020s post-punk movement. Sonically, ‘good 4 u’ bore heavy resemblance to Paramore’s 2007 hit Misery Business, to the point Rodrigo’s songwriting team were legally obliged to retrospectively cite two members of Paramore as co-writers. It was one of the first commercially successful rock songs of the 2020s, becoming an international success and debuting at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Like many famous pop stars before her, Gen Z icon Olivia Rodrigo began her career as an actor on the Disney Channel. She later signed with Geffen Records and released her debut album Sour to great commercial and critical acclaim, winning three Grammy Awards. Her follow-up album Guts was released in 2023. She boasts several number 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a popular figure in modern pop music.

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21/10/2024

Since You Been Gone | Rockschool Drums Grade 2 2024
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Song Info

Artist: Kelly Clarkson
Source: Breakaway (Album, 2004)
Genre: Pop Rock

‘Since U Been Gone’ was written by acclaimed pop songwriters Max Martin and Lukasz Gottwald, who had by that time already amassed a large portfolio of hit songs in pop and rock. They took their inspiration from ‘Maps’ by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, wanting to write a pop song in a similar vein, but with a more bombastic chorus. The song was originally given to P!nk, then Hilary Duff, but eventually found its way to Kelly Clarkson and formed part of her second album Breakaway. It went on to become one of Clarkson’s signature songs, winning her a Grammy and peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Kelly Clarkson was launched to global stardom when she won the first series of American Idol in 2002. Her first single ‘A Moment Like This’ shot to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. For her second album Breakaway, looking to step away from the somewhat cliché, mass-market approach of her previous output, she adopted a more rock-orientated sound and aesthetic. The consistent mainstream chart success she saw throughout the ‘00s waned in the years that followed. Nevertheless, she remains in the public eye thanks to regularly hosting talk shows and appearing as a judge on several reality TV series. Notable awards include three Grammys and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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16/10/2024

Come As You Are | Rockschool Drums Grade 1 2024
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Artist: Nirvana
Source: Nevermind (Album, 1991)
Genre: Grunge

Choosing a worthy follower to the phenomenally successful ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ was never going to be easy, and opting for the slower, more melancholic ‘Come as You Are’ was considered a divisive choice, not least due to the song’s similarity to Killing Jokes’ track ‘Eighties’. However, it proved a wise decision, with the song charting in the top 10 in multiple countries.

Nirvana was an American grunge band that formed in 1987. Consisting of guitarist frontman Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic to begin with, it wasn’t until Dave Grohl (current lead singer of Foo Fighters) joined them on drums in 1990 that the final lineup was established. After building a reputation in the Seattle underground grunge scene of the late ‘80s, they caught the attention of major label DGC Records and released their 1991 album Nevermind. It unexpectedly achieved enormous global success, with the band’s counterculture image and raw, unpolished sound seemingly resonating with disillusioned youths worldwide. Often hailed as the “flagship band” of Generation X, Nirvana played a key part in the rise of the grunge aesthetic that exists to this day. Cobain’s tragic death in 1994 shook the world of music to its core and signalled an immediate end to the band. Like The Beatles before them, Nirvana are one of a select few artists to have legitimately altered the course of music history and impacted upon western culture at large.

The Drums Grade 1 book is the essential companion to your Grade 1 exam. It covers fundamental techniques and introduces you to the core music theory behind six styles of rock and pop.

Entering a Rockschool exam is easy, just go online and follow simple six step process. All details for entering online, dates, fees, regulations and Free Choice pieces can be found at https://www.rslawards.com

■ All candidates should ensure they bring their own Grade syllabus book to the exam or have proof of digital purchase ready to show the examiner. Digital download is available below:

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14/10/2024

Route 66 | Rockschool Original
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Written in the unmistakable style of classic ‘70s/’80s hard rock, Route 66 utilises hard-hitting kick and snare on the drums, and distorted power chords on guitar. The guitar's rhythms are matched by the bass for added attack and attitude! The rests between the opening chord ‘stabs’ serve to greatly increase their impact.

Recommended Listening - AC/DC Back in Black (1980)

Founded by Australian brothers Angus and Malcolm, AC/DC’s classic album Back in Black is an unapologetic hard rock-fest, with loud, heavy riffs and in-your-face songs, including the acclaimed single ‘Back in Black.

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12/10/2024

Short Fuse | Rockschool Original
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Evoking the sound of early ‘90s Rap/R&B, Short Fuse pays tribute to that era via heavy use of the VI – V – chord progression and the inclusion of electronic percussion and string samples, both common features of this style. This music usually benefits from a more “laid back” approach to timing and rhythm.

Recommended Listening - A Tribe Called Quest People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)

From the US east coast scene of the ‘90s, hip hop collective A Tribe Called Quest made a name for themselves with their eclectic blend of jazz, funk and rock-inspired beats paired with conscious and fluid rapping. ‘Can I Kick It?’ remains one of their most well-known songs.

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10/10/2024

Midnight Song | Rockschool Original
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A homage to global country/pop superstar Taylor Swift, Midnight Song recreates the signature sound of her atmospheric pop ballads,making use of space within the music and utilising techniques such as sustained/broken chords on the guitar, syncopated rhythms in the bass and off-beat kicks in the drums, all complemented by lush synths and piano backing parts.

Recommended Listening - Taylor Swift Exile (2020)

Off the back of a cancelled tour, Swift’s eighth album trades in the upbeat pop songs for a sound that borrows from contemporary folk and chamber pop. Her single ‘Exile’ was also written in collaboration with indie folk group Bon Iver.

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09/10/2024

Forget Me | Rockschool Drums Debut 2024
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Song Info

Artist: Lewis Capaldi
Source: Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent (Album, 2023)
Genre: Pop

The song marks the singer's first release in nearly three years. The song release was accompanied by an open letter, in which Capaldi admits to being nervous about the release, saying, "it could be the beginning of a beautiful chapter in my life, or the very public downward spiral that, let's face it, I'm probably due". According to Capaldi, the song deals with a break-up he experienced the year prior and the "post-life" of his ex he was only able to witness through social media.

The song was described as an "80s-synth inspired track" as well as a "change of pace" in sound for the singer. The 1975's "Somebody Else" inspired the production of the track.

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08/10/2024

Rockschool 2024 New Syllabus are now available on the link below. Grab yours and enjoy! 🤘

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Buy all your favourite Rockschool, RSL Classical and PAA books and merch, and purchase your next graded music exam entry.

08/10/2024

Sunny | Rockschool Drums Debut 2024
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Song Info

Artist: Bobby Hebb
Source: Sunny (Single, 1966)
Genre: Soul

Bobby Hebb’s renowned soul standard ‘Sunny’ was composed in 1963. It was written after the murder of his older brother, which resulted in Hebb wishing to write a song to express a preference for a sunny and optimistic outlook in life. Hebb’s highly regarded 1966 recording of the song achieved great commercial success, peaking at number 2 on the US Billboard chart, with the success leading to Hebb touring with the Beatles during their 1966 US tour. ‘Sunny’ has had numerous artists perform their own renditions of the song, including versions by Marvin Gaye, Boney M and Billie Eilish.

Hebb was an American musician and singer born in Nashville, Tennessee. The son of blind musicians, he began his music career at a young age playing in a song-and-dance duo with his brother. Hebb later went on to perform with a variety of renowned musicians, including country music singer Roy Acuff and rock ‘n’ roll musician Bo Diddley. After the success of his single ‘Sunny’ Hebb continued to release music primarily in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Hebb sadly died in 2010, but versions of ‘Sunny’ continue to be released and recorded to this day.

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07/10/2024

Fate | Rockschool Drums Debut 2024
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Song Info

Artist: H.E.R.
Source: I Used To Know Her: Part 2 (EP, 2018)
Genre: Contemporary R&B

The moody piano R&B song ‘Fate’ was first released as a part of her second EP I Used to Know Her: Part 2 alongside the single ‘Hard Place’, which was performed at the 2019 Grammy Awards ceremony. ‘Fate’ was then later released on the 2019 EP compilation album I Used to Know Her, which received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.

Contemporary R&B artist H.E.R. comes from a family of musicians and started playing at a young age. Her music career was kickstarted at an early age when she was signed to a record label as a teenager. She worked anonymously under the alias H.E.R. while receiving support from several notable R&B musicians, including Usher, Pusha T and Alicia Keys. She released her debut full-length album Back of My Mind in 2021, with guest performances from musicians such as Chris Brown and DJ Khaled. She has won multiple awards, including five Grammy awards, most recently in 2022 for Best Traditional R&B performance with her song ‘Fight for You’.

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06/10/2024

Another Brick In The Wall | Rockschool Drums Debut 2024
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Song Info

Artist: Pink Floyd
Source: The Wall (Album, 1979)
Genre: Art Rock

Pink Floyd songwriter and vocalist Roger Waters wrote ‘Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2’ as a part of Pink Floyd’s larger concept album The Wall. The song was critical of the formal education system within the UK at that time, containing the lyrical slogan “Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!” with a catchy disco rhythm section and singable lyrics. The song remains one of Pink Floyd’s most commercially successful singles, peaking at number 1 in multiple countries and UK Christmas number 1 for 1979. The album The Wall was later adapted into a critically acclaimed feature-length movie in 1982 that won two BAFTA awards.

Throughout their career the evolving and unique sound of Pink Floyd has had a marked influence on rock and pop music. They first formed in the ‘60s with frontman Syd Barrett, primarily creating and releasing psychedelic pop music. As the group continued to progress and grow in popularity, Pink Floyd grew their sound while also having an impact on the music of their time, helping shape genres such as art rock, prog rock and psychedelic rock. After the departure of Syd Barrett, some of their most well-known albums were released with frontman Roger Waters, including Wish You Were Here, Animals and their international best-selling album Dark Side of the Moon. Pink Floyd remain one of the most commercially successful bands of all time, having sold over 250 million albums worldwide.

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05/10/2024

Fortunate Son | Rockschool Drums Debut 2024
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Song Info

Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Source: W***y and the Poor Boy (Album, 1969)
Genre: Hard Rock

Released during the peak of America’s involvement in the Vietnam war, ‘Fortunate Son’ has been immortalised as an antiestablishment song, criticising the inequality and unfairness of war. The song continues to remain culturally relevant online and in media, often heard when military and counterculture themes are portrayed in series, movies and videogames. Notable examples of its use can be found in the film Forrest Gump and within the Call of Duty videogame franchise.

Creedence Clearwater Revival (aka CCR) had a string of successful albums after the release of Bayou Country in 1969 up until their disbandment in 1972. They released multiple hit singles, such as ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘Bad Moon Rising’ and have sold over 50 million records worldwide. After CCR broke up, former vocalist John Fogerty later went onto sell millions of records as a solo artist, most notably his 1985 album Centerfield. Despite being from California, CCR’s distinctive sound contributed greatly to the popularity of rock genres from southern USA, such as swamp rock, blues rock and country rock. The band remains a staple of classic rock, having been inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 1993 and continuing to get regular airplay on rock radio stations and playlists.
Fortunate Son | Rockschool Drums Debut 2024

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