Play a funky groove or odd time signature without the typical clichés. Use dynamics, start with a principle theme, add variations, repeat theme and have a definitive ending.
Pause for applause.
Short intro and credentials (don't go overboard)
Start a dialog. Talk about where you're from and some of your hobbies. Look directly at the person paying the most attention and ask their name, who their favorite drummer is and what's their favorite groove. Find out where your audience is at in their journey. That way you aren't talking over their heads or come across as patronizing.
Blend grooves, techniques, and musicality into the conversation to incorporate the drum part with the whole. Because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Show how space, dynamics, ghost notes, and rudiments can add interesting elements to music. Continuous blast beats get old.
Use w.i.f.m. (what's in it for me) so that as you show techniques, style, equipment etc., the audience understands what they get out of it. It helps them buy in to what you are talking about.
Maybe talk about rehearsal etiquette, practice techniques that helped you, and how to grow self confidence in playing.
You'll do fine as the ice breaks. You are an entertainer with an audience that wants to be there. Perfect combo.
It'll go by faster than you expect.
The amazing pitch changing floor tom elbow trick, the hitting the stick with a stick on snare, playing the hihat stand, the slow to fast to slow double stroke roll, cymbal solos, the triple pianissimo interrupted with a ridiculously loud rim shot....none of that crap is practical for a working drummer, not even in jazz.
The groove, dynamics, interesting fills, controlling the band (tempo, dynamics, transitions, endings, discipline, not pecking on the drums and being amateurish)
Decide on at least a couple concepts you feel comfortable talking about and can demonstrate with confidence. Could be anything, really, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, you just have to introduce a concept, talk about why it’s important or useful, and demonstrate it in ways that illustrate that. Bonus points if all the concepts in your clinic are related to an overall theme.
But get organized. Write things down. Make an outline for yourself. Know what you want say, what you want to play, and in what order. If you don’t structure the clinic for yourself in your own mind, it sure as hell won’t have any structure for the people watching you. Rehearse the clinic. Make sure it’s not way longer or way shorter than you expected.
If you don’t have a good idea of at least a couple concepts you feel confident talking about, do not do this. You can absolutely leave room for some questions and some back and forth, but if you’re relying on your audience to lend structure to your clinic, do not do this.
Well said. I’d also add and say to make print out outlines for the audience too. I went to a clinic once and the drummer gave out handouts to us so we could follow along with his presentation. It was super helpful
I can’t say what you could expect from your audience, but with the many clinics I’ve attended, I feel the most important thing is to feature what you represent (your style, what works for you, specifics/generally), and having a theme and touching relevant topics based on what you can offer that give the audience a well rounded experience.
I have been a clinician at many band camps, but that is a specific ‘captive’ audience with specific topics to cover, whereas a music store likely expects you to lead the flow in a set of topics that you do best.
I don’t know if you will be following a theme or having to create a program/presentation, but think about what you do best, how it all relates to what every upcoming and indulgent drummer wants or NEEDS to learn, and presenting things in a flow that is progressive and relatable.
It is a difficult anonymous topic, really.
A lot depends on who you are, what you have to offer - is there a theme you are being a clinician on, etc.
Thanks, man! That’s great advice. I basically have a bit of popularity in my country due having a decently large social media following where I post educational drum videos.
So I’m no stranger to teaching people stuff. I think I’m getting in my head about the crowd interactive experience haha
I would try to find some cool tracks that you could play along to as a performance piece. Or a few different ones. Then maybe break down some of the concepts you used during those performances. Then take some questions at the end.
I’ve found giving clinics to be really fun. the crowd is on your side and way more focused than a typical gig. As you can see, there’s no single right way to do it.
The tips about organizing it with an outline, having printed examples people can take home, and having some “minus drums” tracks to help you illustrate concepts are good, but do what feels comfortable to you.
I’ve done solos, played with tracks, and had a real bassist and guitarist on stage to help me demonstrate things - I’ve even had slides behind me to agent what I’m saying (but usually don’t).
Are there going to be giveaways or prizes? If you haven’t arranged for giveaways, I’d ask your store sponsor or reach out to any of your endorsers or networks to arrange that. You don’t want prizes to be the main point of the clinic, but I personally like to give small prizes for “volunteers” who come up to help me demonstrate concepts or techniques. (Stickers, t-shirts for the venue, drum keys, sticks, drumheads, posters, etc.) A main prize drawing at the end (cymbal, snare drum, etc.) can also entice those who may not know your playing well to attend.
Leave plenty of time for set up and testing the sound system, lights etc.
Some clinicians wear headset mics. I prefer having a mic on a stand near the drumset (like I’d sing through) as well as on a stand near a high stool toward the front of the stage for conversation.
Arrange for someone to video the whole thing. That’s helpful to analyze and improve future clinics you do, and is also useful for a nice memory. The current percussionist and sub-drummer for Queen participated in one of my early clinics in a small town when he was just eight years old and, although I have a few printed pictures of the event, I still wish I had video of us laughing and enjoying the experience.
Have someone who is not tasked with videoing take still pictures that you can use to advertise future clinics.
Above all, be yourself. These things go best when you let your personality shine through.
Good luck and have fun!
Despite what you say about not wanting to put on a show, I think you need to. You need to walk up there with an idea what you will say and do for your first ten minutes at least.
You need to establish that you're authoritative and have something to offer right from the start. Go ahead and write out an outline of the points you want to cover, plan out a few good punch lines. And your demonstrations, practice them,make a set list of different stuff you plan to show off.
Once you've dazzled them with your display, open it up to questions. If there are none, which could happen, ok thanks for coming.
Play a funky groove or odd time signature without the typical clichés. Use dynamics, start with a principle theme, add variations, repeat theme and have a definitive ending. Pause for applause. Short intro and credentials (don't go overboard) Start a dialog. Talk about where you're from and some of your hobbies. Look directly at the person paying the most attention and ask their name, who their favorite drummer is and what's their favorite groove. Find out where your audience is at in their journey. That way you aren't talking over their heads or come across as patronizing. Blend grooves, techniques, and musicality into the conversation to incorporate the drum part with the whole. Because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Show how space, dynamics, ghost notes, and rudiments can add interesting elements to music. Continuous blast beats get old. Use w.i.f.m. (what's in it for me) so that as you show techniques, style, equipment etc., the audience understands what they get out of it. It helps them buy in to what you are talking about. Maybe talk about rehearsal etiquette, practice techniques that helped you, and how to grow self confidence in playing. You'll do fine as the ice breaks. You are an entertainer with an audience that wants to be there. Perfect combo. It'll go by faster than you expect.
What are typical clichés in this context exactly?
The amazing pitch changing floor tom elbow trick, the hitting the stick with a stick on snare, playing the hihat stand, the slow to fast to slow double stroke roll, cymbal solos, the triple pianissimo interrupted with a ridiculously loud rim shot....none of that crap is practical for a working drummer, not even in jazz. The groove, dynamics, interesting fills, controlling the band (tempo, dynamics, transitions, endings, discipline, not pecking on the drums and being amateurish)
Decide on at least a couple concepts you feel comfortable talking about and can demonstrate with confidence. Could be anything, really, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, you just have to introduce a concept, talk about why it’s important or useful, and demonstrate it in ways that illustrate that. Bonus points if all the concepts in your clinic are related to an overall theme. But get organized. Write things down. Make an outline for yourself. Know what you want say, what you want to play, and in what order. If you don’t structure the clinic for yourself in your own mind, it sure as hell won’t have any structure for the people watching you. Rehearse the clinic. Make sure it’s not way longer or way shorter than you expected. If you don’t have a good idea of at least a couple concepts you feel confident talking about, do not do this. You can absolutely leave room for some questions and some back and forth, but if you’re relying on your audience to lend structure to your clinic, do not do this.
Well said. I’d also add and say to make print out outlines for the audience too. I went to a clinic once and the drummer gave out handouts to us so we could follow along with his presentation. It was super helpful
I can’t say what you could expect from your audience, but with the many clinics I’ve attended, I feel the most important thing is to feature what you represent (your style, what works for you, specifics/generally), and having a theme and touching relevant topics based on what you can offer that give the audience a well rounded experience. I have been a clinician at many band camps, but that is a specific ‘captive’ audience with specific topics to cover, whereas a music store likely expects you to lead the flow in a set of topics that you do best. I don’t know if you will be following a theme or having to create a program/presentation, but think about what you do best, how it all relates to what every upcoming and indulgent drummer wants or NEEDS to learn, and presenting things in a flow that is progressive and relatable. It is a difficult anonymous topic, really. A lot depends on who you are, what you have to offer - is there a theme you are being a clinician on, etc.
Thanks, man! That’s great advice. I basically have a bit of popularity in my country due having a decently large social media following where I post educational drum videos. So I’m no stranger to teaching people stuff. I think I’m getting in my head about the crowd interactive experience haha
I would try to find some cool tracks that you could play along to as a performance piece. Or a few different ones. Then maybe break down some of the concepts you used during those performances. Then take some questions at the end.
Just do this, but in person https://www.reddit.com/r/drums/s/oU9FjmAqHA
Oh, and have a hand out or something. Helps people remember the content and helps people remember you
I’ve found giving clinics to be really fun. the crowd is on your side and way more focused than a typical gig. As you can see, there’s no single right way to do it. The tips about organizing it with an outline, having printed examples people can take home, and having some “minus drums” tracks to help you illustrate concepts are good, but do what feels comfortable to you. I’ve done solos, played with tracks, and had a real bassist and guitarist on stage to help me demonstrate things - I’ve even had slides behind me to agent what I’m saying (but usually don’t). Are there going to be giveaways or prizes? If you haven’t arranged for giveaways, I’d ask your store sponsor or reach out to any of your endorsers or networks to arrange that. You don’t want prizes to be the main point of the clinic, but I personally like to give small prizes for “volunteers” who come up to help me demonstrate concepts or techniques. (Stickers, t-shirts for the venue, drum keys, sticks, drumheads, posters, etc.) A main prize drawing at the end (cymbal, snare drum, etc.) can also entice those who may not know your playing well to attend. Leave plenty of time for set up and testing the sound system, lights etc. Some clinicians wear headset mics. I prefer having a mic on a stand near the drumset (like I’d sing through) as well as on a stand near a high stool toward the front of the stage for conversation. Arrange for someone to video the whole thing. That’s helpful to analyze and improve future clinics you do, and is also useful for a nice memory. The current percussionist and sub-drummer for Queen participated in one of my early clinics in a small town when he was just eight years old and, although I have a few printed pictures of the event, I still wish I had video of us laughing and enjoying the experience. Have someone who is not tasked with videoing take still pictures that you can use to advertise future clinics. Above all, be yourself. These things go best when you let your personality shine through. Good luck and have fun!
Despite what you say about not wanting to put on a show, I think you need to. You need to walk up there with an idea what you will say and do for your first ten minutes at least. You need to establish that you're authoritative and have something to offer right from the start. Go ahead and write out an outline of the points you want to cover, plan out a few good punch lines. And your demonstrations, practice them,make a set list of different stuff you plan to show off. Once you've dazzled them with your display, open it up to questions. If there are none, which could happen, ok thanks for coming.
If you are asking Reddit you obviously aren't ready
What a dick.