This three page monster exercise, inspired by a similar idea in Joe Morello’s “Master Studies 2,” is a killer, and the title describes it’s purpose. I’ve been working on single strokes lately, and as usual, I want to share my methods with you.
I did not write the sticking on the exercise sheets because once you understand the pattern, you really don’t need to see the stockings on paper. There would be a lot of L’s and R’s on the paper clogging up your mental energy. Not necessary. Here’s how it works. Throughout the entire exercise, your weak hand plays 16th notes. That never stops. When you get to Exercise #2, you begin to add your stronger hand to create 32nd notes. With each exercise, you add an additional 32nd note with the stronger hand.
As you progress through the pages, you will be playing a single stroke roll and that roll is held longer and longer until the end where you reach two full measures of 32nd notes.
Just for clarity, here are exercises #11 and #12 so you can see exactly how this plays out (assume the left hand is your weaker hand):
11) LRLRLRLR LRLRLRLR LRLRLL LLLL (NEXT MEASURE) LLLL LLLL LLLL LLLL
12) LRLRLRLR LRLRLRLR LRLRLRL LLLL (NEXT MEASURE) LLLL LLLL LLLL LLLL
Work with a metronome, and be careful! If you feel pain, don’t push through it. We don’t want any drumming injures….
Here’s the exercise as a PDF: Weak Hand Single Stroke Training Exercise
He first gained attention as one of the winners of Modern Drummer magazine's very first drum solo contest, judged by Rush's Neil Peart.
He's played with Oz Noy, Will Lee, Alison Krauss, Curtis Stigers, Emily Remler, Joel Hoekstra, GE Smith, Andy York, Marshall Crenshaw, Tony Shanahan, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, Big Brother and The Holding Company, and many other artists.
For more info: onlinesessiondrummer.com
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