The Weight Room: More Diddle Work

Here's another simple exercise that can bring great results.

First, try to play this exercise at a comfortable tempo, then gradually increase it until you start to get a little uncomfortable.

Now - same sticking, different interpretation. Once you get this one back up to your discomfort level, try switching between the two interpretations without stopping or changing tempo.

Apply this one to your improvisation - tons of fun!

Happy drumming!

The Weight Room: Triple Stick Control

That title sounds pretty amazing, right? "Triple Stick Control!" What I mean is that we're applying the "Slow-Fast" stick control exercise to triple subdivision - triplets (slow) and sextuplets (fast).

Here's the exercise:

As with the first version of Slow-Fast, the exercise should be repeated for a full minute at any given tempo to demonstrate mastery. So, click on the metronome at a very slow tempo - 50 to 60 beats per minute - and master the exercise with an alternate sticking, either R L R L R L or L R L R L R.

Once you've got it mastered, that's where the fun begins! Try some of these patterns, then make up your own.

1. R L R-L R L
2. L R L-R L R
3. R R L-R R L
4. L L R-L L R
5. R L L-R L L
6. L R R-L R R

There are endless possibilities, so have fun with it. 

If you want to take it to the next level, try it with "jazz feet." (Kick very lightly on all four counts, hi-hat very crisply on 2 and 4.)

Happy drumming!