In our further celebration of Joe Morello’s legendary book Master Studies; in the next few months Modern Drummer will be bringing you one of the best and most beneficial sections of the book and Joe’s teaching, the Control Studies. While this first part entitled sticking exercise, has similarities to Stick Control, Joe has put his own twist on it. Remember relaxation one of the keys to control. Control Studies The purpose of these exercises is to develop the ability to go from one sticking to another, without changing the sound. In other words, each exercise should sound as though it is being played with one hand. You should start by practicing each exercise individually. After you reach a certain proficiency with each one, try playing them together, that is, going directly from the eighths to the triplets, and then to the sixteenths. Be sure that you do not tense up […]

October 2022 Issue