That what you don’t practice you can’t play!

Getting great stick control takes a while and getting a feel different rhythms and sub divisions as well. So how do work all these stuff in my practice routine? So let begin with the basic first: The common rudiments.

Singles (French & German Grip) (Check out Jojo Mayer exercise), Doubles and Paradiddle.

Switch between these rudiments without stopping using 8 bars for each except for the singles it will be 16 bars. Try doing this for 15m to 30m switching tempo every 5m. Remember to work on dynamics: One section as soft as can the other section as loud as you can. The loud playing will also strengthen forearms. The French grip is a workout for the fingers as well.

Second is going through the Tommy Igoe “Great Hands for a Lifetime” tracks: Basic, Intermediate and Advance. This will focus different rudiments and also on single, doubles, and paradiddles with different variations. I must have for learning other rudiments. Go through a track that you can do for about 30m. Remember DYMAMICS! Here are links to the DVD: Amazon and Loot.

Third: Go through acceleration charts of sub divisions. Whole Note, Half No, Quarters Notes, ¼ Note Triplets etc. Check out the following books for these charts:

Master Studies – Joe Morello. Amazon, Loot

The Unreel Books – Marc Atkinson – Vinnie Colualita : Amazon, Loot

I must say Vinnie’s is more detailed on this subject.

Remember: Practice this every day! After a month you’ll see dramatic results in your stick control and playing and feeling unusual sub divisions. Remember to count: Essential for new material that you are learning.

A lot of ideas will come practicing this stuff. Write them out and make it part of your playing.

Finally remember to also use your feet in these exercises. Play heel down & heel up to develop more control. Also remember DYNAMICS!

Building tools for music:

After watching the Benny Greb: The Language Drumming: Brought a lot of ideas.

Practice some of the ideas of the dynamics, hi-hat variations in your daily practice routine to build a nice vocabulary and even get ideas from it. Remember to count out LOUD! Repeat exercises 8 times before moving on the next exercise.

Here is one idea: Take the Louis Bellson Book: Modern reading in 4/4:

Play the Hi-hat variations while reading the melody on the bass drum .

Double Bass:

Exercises1: Play singles at 40bmp for 20m. This will build stamina and timing.

Exercises2:Derek Roddy exercise: Please follow the link: Repeat exercises 3 times which will basically take 30m.

Exercise3: Please se below: Play for 10m on one tempo and push the tempo up about 5 to 10bpm for about 10m. Which will equal 20m: Start at 50bpm

Exercises:4:Please se below: Play for 20m. Play 10m one tempo and a 10m tempo up from 5 to 10bmp: 

Happy disturbing the neighbours!