Tapping Into Your Creativity

Timothy J. AllenCreativity and Innovation Team

Strategic Relationships OfficeNASA Langley Research Center

Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument

Mental

Physical

Social

•Develops brain areas involved in

language and reasoning

•Improves spatial intelligence

•Trains you to think creatively

•Teamwork

•Appreciation for other

cultures

•Teaches you to

conquer fear and take

risks

•“Doing” rather than

just “observing”

•Develops coordination

•Burns calories

Why Drums?

•Easy to start

•Inexpensive

•Portable

•Versatile

•Social

It’s Fun!

Parts of the Drum Set

Parts of the Drum Set

How to Hold the Sticks

bounce

^

Drums 101

• With your RIGHT stick (or hand), tap FOUR times on the desk in front of you, or the arm of your chair. . . .

• Count out loud…ONE . . . TWO . . . THREE . . . FOUR

Basic Backbeat

COUNT 1 2 3 4

R=RIGHT HAND R R R R

Basic Backbeat

COUNT 1 2 3 4

R=RIGHT HAND R R R R

F=FOOT F

Basic Backbeat

COUNT 1 2 3 4

R=RIGHT HAND R R R R

L=LEFT HAND L

F=FOOT F

The Written Language of Drums

It can look a bit complicated…

But you are already on your way…

RH

LH

F

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Now for the fun part!

• Pop on some music, any music . . . It doesn’t matter what style, just get a song playing.

• There is about a 45% chance that any song will be in this “8th note rock” beat category.

• That’s over 50,000,000 songs…

…that you can play now!

For example…

Rudiments(If single notes are letters, these are your first words)

Single Stroke Roll Double Stroke Roll

Paradiddles Flams

Learn More

Percussive Arts Society International Drums Rudiments– http://pas.org/Resources/rudiments.cfm

Free Drum Lessons– http://www.youtube.com/user/freedrumlessons

Music and the Brain– http://www.yourbrainonmusic.com/

Equipment and Lessons

– Music & Arts Store (In the Kiln Creek Shopping Center)

Tapping Into Your Creativity

Timothy J. AllenCreativity and Innovation Team

Strategic Relationships OfficeNASA Langley Research Center

Life Lessons From Behind the Drumset

• Don’t grip too tight.

• Play for the song. (When in doubt, simplify!)

• Discover the unique.

• Learn to read, write and speak the language.

• To learn fast, break little things apart and group big things together.

• Pay attention.

• Be generous.

• Have fun!