An exercise I'm doing at the moment...

[LDGuy]

People seem to be posting a lot about practice and technique, so i thought i'd share something i've been trying...

This is an exercise which was basically developed for Timpani, but i reckon it's really useful for snare drum and drum kit.

Basically, the exercise is something you would do every day, as you sit down at the kit as a walm up, and it's pretty simple. There are 4 steps.

First: establish a possible speed for both your hands and stick to it! I usually do this slowly, but accurately, with each hand at about 120bpm

1. 3 minutes of steady singles with your right hand
2. 3 minutes of steady singles with your left hand
3. 3 minutes of steady singles with both your hands together, as in a single stroke roll, but leading with your left hand (if your right handed, right if your left handed)
4. 3 minutes of steady singles, both your hands hitting the drum at exactly the same time, trying not to flam

This may seem like a piece of cake, but there is a twist: you're not allowed to use your fingers - all the motion to move the stick must come from your wrists. You should get to a point where your left hand and your right hand sound exactly the same, so when you do step 3, each hit of the drum should be at exactly the same velocity and tone, and your movement with each hand should be identical. A good way to prove that your doing this, just as you should be doing when practicing rudements, is to place a third drumstick on your wrists. If you're doing it right, it shouldn't fall off.

I've been doing this every day (mostly) for about 2 weeks now, and it's had a rather strange effect on my playing, which is definitely a good one. It's dificult to explain, so i reccommend you do it and see for yourself.

Loz.

[elpatricio]

Great stuff, quite similar to an exercise gene jackson showed me but with the unisons as well. I will add this to my daily routine, thanks!