A Distinction, and a Longer Plan - Gavin’s Grade 3 Drums

Gavin Samson went into his Rockschool Grade 3 drum exam knowing exactly what it was for. He wanted a diploma, and this was the first part of getting there. He came out of it with 90 marks and a Distinction, three years after he first sat down at a kit because his father played and he wanted to try it himself.

Gavin Samson, who passed Rockschool Grade 3 drums with a Distinction.

The beginning was that straightforward. His father was playing an instrument, Gavin started learning, and the interest held long enough to turn into three years of lessons at Trill Route in Indiranagar. Away from the kit he cycles. Music itself appears again on his own list of what he does outside lessons.

Funk, a standard, and reggae

The exam asked him to cover ground. He played three pieces for it, and they sit a long way apart: Play That Funky Music, a piece called Standard, and Reggae Island. Between them they ask for three different feels and three different ways of sitting behind the beat, which is the point of the way Rockschool builds a grade.

Grade 3 as the first part

Asked what drew him toward the exam, Gavin’s answer was about the destination rather than the step in front of him. “I wanted to do a diploma so this is the first part towards my goal,” he said. Rockschool’s drum grades run from Debut up to Grade 8, so Grade 3 places him early on a long route, with the diploma he is aiming for further out still. He entered it as groundwork, and prepared accordingly.

Ninety marks

The result came back at 90 marks, which on Rockschool’s scale is a Distinction. The examiner’s report described control of drum technique held consistently across the repertoire, a solid and secure sense of time and pulse, and notation that was highly accurate and understood. Articulation and projection were clear and even, the dynamics were used musically, and the technical exercises were highly accurate and confidently performed. Gavin’s own account was shorter and moved on faster. “I felt proud of myself and want to score 100% in my next exams.”

The teaching behind it

Gavin says the preparation did not throw up obstacles he could not manage, and he puts that down to how he was taught. He described his teacher, Josiah, as supporting and guiding him at every step, and named that support as his biggest strength in working toward a music degree. Drum lessons here are one to one, which is what keeps that kind of attention going week to week.

What he wants next

The next target is already set, and it is not a modest one: full marks. Past that sits the diploma he mentioned. Past that again is the music degree he says he is working toward. Those are ambitions rather than results so far, but they are in a sensible order, and he has three years of lessons and a Distinction standing behind the first of them.

Congratulations, Gavin.

Drum lessons at Trill Route in Indiranagar, Bangalore run one to one, for complete beginners through to students preparing Trinity Rock & Pop and Rockschool grade exams. You can see how they work on our drum lessons page.