strictly technique

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Stick Technique Revisited

Part 1: Matched Grip Matched grip simply means that the hands hold the sticks in a mirror image of one another. There are important variations within matched grip, however, both in terms of the hand angles and fulcrums (pivot points)…

Modern Drummer
Jun 3, 2020

The Ancient European Rudimental Codex

Welcome to the Rudimental Codex, an alternative collection of rudiments that focuses specifically on the ancient European legacy of rudimental drumming.

by Claus Hessler
Sep 30, 2019

Inverted Paradiddle-Diddles

Rudiments can essentially be described as groupings of single and double strokes in different configurations and rhythms.

by Kristen Gleeson-Prata
Aug 26, 2019

Inverted Double Strokes

In this lesson, we’ll focus on double-stroke rolls and invert them to create interesting fills and grooves.

by Nick Costa
Jun 28, 2019

Developing The Weak Hand

One of the most confidence-shattering problems facing any drummer is the realization that one hand just doesn't work right. 

by Ray Fransen
May 14, 2019
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Odd-Beat Subdivisions

Almost all styles of music now deviate from normal duple- and triple-beat subdivisions, and use divisions of five, seven, or more.

by Michael Snyder
Apr 4, 2019

Eights And Sixes

We’re going to build upon the Eights and Sixes exercise that I introduced in Part 1 of this series by adding double strokes and rimshots into the routine.

by Bill Bachman
Feb 27, 2019

Eights and Sixes, Part 1

The goal is to improve not only your hand technique, but also your rhythmic understanding and comfort level between these figures. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

by Bill Bachman
Jan 30, 2019

A 20 - Minute Warm-Up

Warming up prior to playing is extremely important for any drummer.

by Mark Hurley
Nov 5, 2018

Individual Hand Control

An effective way to develop control and strength with two hands is to look at the hands individually, one at a time. This is a good way to identify the problems in each hand and to concentrate on the solution…

by Glen A. Bush
Sep 6, 2018

Back To Back Rolls

Here are some exercises in back-to-back rolls. These rolls are a series of the same stroked roll (five-stroke, six-stroke, etc.) played in a continuous fashion, so as not to break the flow of constant 16th notes or an 8th-note triplet…

by Stanley Ellis
Aug 6, 2018

Fours and Sevens in 7/8 Part 2: Double Strokes

This month we’re going to work on playing the Fours and Sevens in 7/8 exercise with double strokes. The key is developing the finger control to play well-balanced and even doubles. The rhythmic placement of the doubles in this exercise…

by Bill Bachman
May 3, 2018
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Fours and Sevens in 7/8 — Part 1: Single Strokes

This month we’re going to work on a couple of shortburst single-stroke rudiments: the single four and single seven. The key to executing these rudiments effectively is using finger control to play rapid free strokes. Single fours and sevens are…

by Bill Bachman
Apr 24, 2018

Chops Builders Part 18: Irish Spring

This month we’re going old school—with a new twist. What we’re working on is a standard exercise called Irish Spring that comprises swung double beats with smooth hand-to-hand turnarounds. This exercise has been used by rudimental drummers for decades, but…

by Bill Bachman
Mar 22, 2018
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