rob headshot right size.png
SNARE HACKER FORMULA--white.png

beginning march 8, 2018

 

are you an intensely ambitious percussionist hungry for better snare drum chops?

 

do you sometimes feel hopeless after shedding for hundreds of hours a month
but you still have the same
old deficiencies?

do you panic playing delécluse at auditions or for friends in the practice room because of everything that can
go wrong (and usually does)?

is playing snare drum so intensely frustrating that you
sometimes just want to quit?

if that describes you, you're in the right place.

Screen Shot 2018-02-25 at 7.58.59 AM.png

the snarehacker formula: spring boot camp is for motivated percussionists who want to transform their snare drum playing.

  • it's 10 weeks of high-level technical training and intensive repertoire study.
  • you’ll build a complete snare drum practicing system, from your daily technique workout to your long-term repertoire study.
  • it’s the exact system that i developed to build snare drum chops over more than a decade, and it helped me overcome uncontrollable shaking and my fear of the snare drum to get into juilliard, the new world symphony, and the metropolitan opera.

imagine having a roadmap for your snare drum development
where you know exactly what to do every minute of every practice session to make the most rapid progress possible.

where the exercises you choose to play are actually working, and every single aspect of your snare drum technique is improving.

your buzz rolls are starting to sound smooth without even trying. (smooth like a line, as my first drumset teacher said.)

your 4-stroke ruffs are becoming crisp, precise, and consistent.

i don’t want you to have to experience your hands shaking when you’re playing soft excerpts, like i did for so many years.

i don’t want you to feel like your snare drum technique is a weakness and is holding you back from taking the next step in your career.

 

 

are you ready to...

build a daily technique workout that methodically expands your technique?

learn to play delécluse with the precision and musicality of someone far beyond your abilities?

build a repertoire of excerpts?

master the art of writing the perfect exercise to target your current biggest obstacles?

develop a set of personalized grips that are ideal for each type of snare drum playing?

make more rapid improvement than you ever thought possible?

here's the thing.

a well-constructed daily snare drum technique routine can:
1) methodically solve your biggest weaknesses, and
2) put you on the path to becoming an elite snare drummer.

the work you do today builds the foundation for your future.
you’ll thank yourself for doing this 5 years from now.

 


so let me ask you this.

if you’re going to spend all this time practicing snare drum…


…don’t you wish you had a fully-prepared plan that actually works?
 

 
 
_MG_5619.jpg

 

 
 
panning-right-to-left-of-flax-seeds-on-white-background-2-this-video-was-shoot-using-custom-light-set-up-with-additional-custom-build-underneath-light-system-to-eliminate-shadows_e11cqbxme__S0000.jpg
_MG_5374, cirle.png

hi, i'm rob

i'm a percussionist in the metropolitan opera orchestra in new york, i'm the founder of the percussionhacker youtube channel, and i've taught hundreds of students how to practice snare drum and prepare for auditions.

included with
the snarehacker formula:
summer boot camp

10 step-by-step training modules

each week we’ll take one step in the process of completely rebuilding your practice system from scratch


 

icons8-video-conference-100.png

weekly assignments to
keep you on track

i’ll assign you practicing homework with ultra-specific instructions so you can implement the topic of the week into your daily routine immediately
 

icons8-task-filled-100.png

weekly live class Q&A sessions

write down your questions and struggles and we'll hash out everything during this live class period


 

icons8-timetable-100.png

the snarehacker facebook group

this private group is going to be the nerdiest place on earth. you’ll use it to post videos, ask questions about the training, and talk through technique, grip, and gear concepts with other snarehackers

icons8-user-groups-filled-100.png

accountability

the homework you complete will inch you closer to a completed, trustworthy snare drum practice routine


 

icons8-friends-100.png

access to rob

you'll get direct access to me through the private facebook group and live session where you can ask questions, ideas, and recordings for feedback

 

icons8-personal-trainer-filled-100.png

reviews

you’ll get feedback from me on your playing assignments so i can make sure you’re on the right track

 

icons8-discussion-forum-100.png

the snarehacker method book

a booklet of exercises, diagrams, and explanations to go along with each week’s training module

 

icons8-book-filled-100.png

bonus trainings

i’ll take requests from the class to do special extra sessions on topics such as choosing gear, tuning snare drums, time and rhythm, or anything else you are interested in learning during this time.

icons8-star-100.png
Screen Shot 2018-02-25 at 10.41.26 PM.png

"the methods I learned in this course have helped me play snare drum music the way I see it in my head (this used to be impossible). rolls in all dynamics became easier and pianissimo playing is no longer a huge problem for me.”

- eduardo, substitute with orquestra filarmónica portugesa

Screen Shot 2018-02-25 at 10.41.08 PM.png

“this method is amazing for people who haven't find their system of playing yet, for people who have some gaps in their practice or
for people who want to fine tune their playing.”

"in general, it can be frustrating and discouraging to have a gap in your technique. there is a mysterious feeling inside you that says: 'be careful, a 4 stroke ruff is coming, you can't control that thing.' it is a beautiful feeling when you struggle with a technical aspect of playing for long time, but finally a revelation happens! it is important to know how to practice it in order to develop. for sure, with this method you get there!”
- panos, greek national opera

_MG_3965 smaller.jpg

 

 
 

SNARE HACKER FORMULA--white.png

snarehacker formula:
self study

- lifetime access to the snarehacker formula

- access to the recorded live boot camp sessions

- bonus trainings and interviews

- 30 day refund guarantee

- access to a private facebook group with your
boot camp colleagues

snarehacker formula:
 spring boot camp

- lifetime access to the snarehacker formula

- 10 live sessions

- bonus trainings and interviews

- 30 day refund guarantee

- weekly assignments with feedback from rob

- accountability

- bonus trainings and interviews

- access to rob for ongoing communication in a private facebook group

 

enroll in snarehacker formula:
self study

enroll in snarehacker formula:
spring boot camp

when will the live sessions take place?

class times will be on thursdays at 3pm eastern. if that doesn’t work for you, let us know at hello@robknopper.com and we will try to make an accommodation.

icons8-Calendar Filled-100.png
Screen Shot 2018-02-25 at 10.08.38 PM.png

“i LOVED the class. your attention to detail is remarkable, as is your passion and energy! it was a great experience!”

- lisa, snare drummer in the swedish army

Screen Shot 2018-02-25 at 10.46.20 PM.png

“my snare drum playing has improved substantially
after going through this course. “

"i have been playing snare drum for over 55 years. i studied with buster bailey many years ago. he was a great teacher and performer and i was very content to play the way he taught for the rest of my life. several years ago i became convinced of the benefits of playing with matched grip, and worked to change. i had a fair level of success, but felt as though i had hit a brick wall. rob's course gave me the tools to reach my goals and bring my left hand to a point equal to my right.

- fred miller, snarehacker beta tester

radek-grzybowski-76296-unsplash.jpg
 

        

the lineup:

the live sessions will be held on thursdays at 3pm ET,
with each session lasting about 60 - 90 minutes.

 
  • march 8
  • march 15
  • march 22
  • march 29
  • april 5
  • april 12
  • april 19
  • april 26
  • may 3
  • may 10

session 1

get set up and map out your practice calendar: a big picture overview of the practice system you’ll build, how to structure your daily practice session and what your next 6 months of snare drumming looks like

session 2

the 21 variables of grip and stroke: learn the core elements that make up every note on the snare drum. these are your new ‘rudiments’ and what will constitute the encyclopedic vocabulary of your new snare drum technique.

session 3

immaculate, hand-to-hand singles: the foundational exercise of your new warmup will develop immaculate, even hand-to-hand single strokes and integrate the variables of tension, touch, and dynamic.
 

session 4

learn to muscle-memorize an excerpt: learn to use the ROAM method to go through a piece, note-by-note, to sculpt and muscle-memorize it. we’ll also talk about how to choose stickings and your homework will be prokofiev 5, mvt. III.

session 5

machine-gun doubles and ruffs: learn how to master the secret to great ruffs: a louder second bounce, while developing even, matched hands and a machine-gun double stroke roll. integrate the variables of width, shape, and dynamic.

 

session 6

your first transition progressive exercise: master the immediate shift from singles grip to doubles grip and develop your first compound grip. your homework is scheherazade mvt. III, D-E.

 

session 7

silky-smooth, flexible, strong buzzes: learn how to develop smooth, flexible buzzes that can be molded into a roll of any length or volume. develop your soft roll and loud roll grips, while matching hands, building a silky smooth snare drum roll, and integrating the variables of density, shape, and dynamic.

session 8

the second transition progressive exercise: master the immediate shift from singles grip to buzz grip (and back) and continuing to build your collection of compound grips. your homework will be capriccio espagnole mvt. III. (we’ll also talk about how to choose roll speeds when learning a piece today!)

session 9

write your own exercises: learn to write your own exercises in order to conquer any difficult technique, like extreme dynamic changes and flams, ruffs, and 4-stroke ruffs. your homework is scheherazade mvt. IV (4 before N - 19 after N)

session 10

the third and final transition progressive exercise: complete the process of building your daily practice system by mastering the last remaining immediate shift: doubles grip to buzz grip (and back). 

Snare Drum-100.png

SNARE HACKER FORMULA--white.png

snarehacker formula:
self study

- lifetime access to the snarehacker formula

- access to the recorded live boot camp sessions

- bonus trainings and interviews

- 30 day refund guarantee

- access to a private facebook group with your
boot camp colleagues

snarehacker formula:
 spring boot camp

- lifetime access to the snarehacker formula

- 10 live sessions

- bonus trainings and interviews

- 30 day refund guarantee

- weekly assignments with feedback from rob

- accountability

- bonus trainings and interviews

- access to rob for ongoing communication in a private facebook group

 

enroll in snarehacker formula:
self study

enroll in snarehacker formula:
spring boot camp

Screen Shot 2018-02-25 at 10.10.36 PM.png

"i feel 100 times more confident in my snare roll. by working on controlling the variables that surround a roll, breaking them down completely and rebuilding them, i have gained confidence in my ability to create a musically efficacious roll."

- ryan loken, snarehacker student

Q&A

+ what's the weekly time committment?

each week you’ll have videos to watch and some practicing assignments to do. expect to add about 3 hours total of extra work to do during this class beyond your normal practicing hours. don’t worry, it’ll be worth it.

+ is this geared towards orchestra players or does it work for any percussionists?

although i developed my process with the express purpose of winning an orchestra job, at its core it’s a snare drum technique system for any type of playing. it will help you develop the techniques, grips, and repertoire that you decide are most important.

+ what if i can’t make one of the live sessions?

each live session will be recorded and posted so you can (and will be expected to) watch and catch up on everything you missed. in addition, you can submit questions to me that i’ll cover in the live sessions, and you can ask me questions in the private facebook group and i’ll give video responses.

+ what if i decide to drop the course…can i get a refund?

if you hate it, return it. i’ll give you 30 days to make up your mind. if you start going through the information and you decide that this is totally wrong for you then just let me know within 30 days of your purchase, and i’ll refund your entire payment.

+ do i need any special equipment?

nope - just a computer with internet. and sometimes i’ll ask you to record yourself playing and upload it. use the best audio and video equipment you have access to but you don’t need to buy anything new.

+ is there an age limit?

nope! there will be a variety of ages in the class which is great because it will make the types of questions and issues we cover broader and more universal.

Cart (0)