RESOURCES

ROCK SCHOOL / RSL / AMEB

My AMEB enroller ID is: 23487. You’ll need to enter this number when you sign up for an exam. 

Hi all, Please note links to sign up and general info below.  Participation in the exams is a fantastic experience and great motivator for students, but is not a requirement.   

I am of course happy to guide and assist, but please be aware it is the students responsibility to choose the exam period that suits them, register, purchase books and organise fees.  You may need my “Enrol ID” to enter and pay the fee. Please see above.

The website can be confusing. Please note Rock School is UK based and operates in Australia through the AMEB organisation. The links below will make it easier I hope.

Link to general info on Rock School Drums Australia:  https://rockschool.ameb.edu.au/drums/

Link to exam dates & fees page:https://rockschool.ameb.edu.au/dates-and-fees/ 

Link to enrol for Rock School in Australia via AMEB: https://amebshop.eq.edu.au/Shop/Examination/Index/exam-rockschool-rockschool_drums-bne 

Link to Purchase Rock School Books : https://cloud.rslawards.com/shop/book-assistant#drums

Look For  “Rock School Drums – Your Grade (2018 – 2024)”

Contact AMEB Queensland 

Phone 07 3634 0933 or 1800 175 515

Fax 07 3634 0900

Email enquiries.ameb@qed.qld.gov.au

Website www.ameb.qld.edu.au 

 

Contact AMEB Federal Office 

Phone 03 8660 5800 

Email rockschool@ameb.edu.au 

Website rockschool.ameb.edu.au

Tips for BUYING DRUMS

Tips for BUYING DRUMS

WHAT TO BUY AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT

Below are the standard specs for an acoustic drum set :

Drum Kit, “5 Piece” (Industry Standard) 

Shells

Bass Drum

Snare Drum – 13” or 14”

Tom1 – 10″ or 12”

Tom 2 – 12″ or 13” (Tom 2 is not necessary referred to as “4 Piece”)

Floor Tom – 14″ or 16” (Some 5 Piece Kits are set up as Tom 1, Floor tom 1 and Floor Tom 2)

The smaller sizes can be more comfortable for younger students.  Bigger sizes are more versatile in the long run re jamming and gigging.

Brands with quality models at entry level prices

PDP, Gretsch, Yamaha, Tama, Mapex, Pearl

CYMBALS

Hi Hat cymbals: 13” or 14” pair

Crash cymbal and/or Ride Cymbal: Most drummers use a minimum of 1 x crash and 1 x Ride cymbal to play live.  1 cymbal is definitely enough to get started learning.

HARDWARE

Floor Tom Legs or Stand:Legs are preferable being easier to position and easier to lug.

Tom 1 and Tom 2 Mounts: Ensure they hold toms in place and are adjustable.

Snare stand: Ensure this holds snare in place and is adjustable by height and angle.

Bass Drum Pedal: With smooth action, solid build and clamp. This makes learning good bass drum technique much easier and the student will feel more comfortable and inspired.

Hi Hat Stand: With smooth action, solid build quality. This makes learning good hi hat foot technique much easier, and the student will feel more comfortable and inspired)

Hi Hat clutch: allows the Hi Hat to open and close. Not critical when purchasing, they are cheap to buy and generic in size.

Cymbal Stands: Ensure they hold cymbals in place and are adjustable by height and angle

Drum Stool/Throne:Avoid stools with “pinned” height adjustment.  These tend to feel unstable which causes issues with technique or posture.  Try to purchase a threaded or a memory lock stool.  There should be a drum key lock fitting on any stool which keeps the stool from slipping lower or rocking around

Below is the standard equipment needed for a basic electronic drum Set:

The setup should be “4 or 5 piece” as shown with the above acoustic setup.  The stands and mounts will vary depending on the brand.

The most important thing with an electronic set up, is a realistic and stable feel with the snare drum, hi hats and bass drum.  These 3 drums are used the most and are where technique development is generally focused.

The sensitivity of the snare drum is the most important factor.  This is the most expressive and sensitive drum on an acoustic kit.  On a budget electronic setup, the pads are often not sensitive enough to respond to a wide range of dynamics, particularly very soft strokes .  It’s best to avoid these models if possible as dynamics are an integral part of sounding good on the drums and critical for being able to play in a wide range of scenarios. If students adapt to this lack of dynamics, an acoustic kit will feel very uncomfortable and uncontrollable to play.

Another important element of technique is having an actual bass drum pedal and not a trigger/push button for the bass drum. The same reasoning re technique and dynamics above applies here.

Recommended Electronic Models/Brands:

Yamaha DTXplorer

Roland V Drums

Even if you upgrade to an acoustic set down the track, these will always be useful for quiet practice

General Tips

Good quality second hand is a great option. As long as the Hardware is functional and there is no structural damage, drum shells should not deteriorate with age.

2nd hand, you will likely buy better “Shells” for your money but damaged hardware can be an issue

New, everything will function smoothly, stay still and adjust easily.  Potentially much more convenient and comfortable way to get started.

Look online and in shops to get an idea of the level of kit you are after and decide your budget.

Ebay, Gumtree and facebook market place are a great place to find a bargain and to compare 2nd hand with new prices.

PURCHASING A NEW DRUM KIT

Examples of New prices below.
Note: These are not quotes, examples only.

Practice Equipment

No equipment is required to make a start. 

I recommend attending at least one lesson before purchasing any equipment.  

No equipment is required to get started.

I recommend students begin with the following “Practice Pad” set up.  A practice pad is designed to allow practice of technique, rhythm skills and rudiments at very low volume. This is a great way to get a feel for the process of learning to play, so you can purchase a drum kit with confidence in the future.

Home Practice Equipment Required:

Practice Pad

  • Sticks, weight 7a (5-9 yrs) or 5a 9yrs + (Students must bring to lessons each week)
  • Practice pad with stand (home practice only)
  • Music stand (home practice only)
  • Metronome (home practice only)

Metronome App (Optional)

  • Free metronome app “Metronome Tempo Lite” (link for Apple or Android )

PURCHASE ONLINE: