How To Practice Rudiments - Drum Lesson

How To Practice Rudiments - Drum Lesson

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A brief introduction to two basic ways to practice each rudiment:
1. Slow-Fast-Slow
2. Steadily at your fastest relaxed controlled speed

Sample Practice Routine:
Choose three rudiments to focus on each week.
Spend 9 minutes per day practicing them.
Break down the 9 minutes into 3 minutes/rudiment.
Break down the 3 minutes on each rudiment into:
1 1/2 minutes practicing waves from slow-fast-slow.
1 1/2 minutes practicing steadily at your fastest relaxed controlled speed.

Sample Practice Routine Applied:
Double Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes slow-fast-slow.
Double Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes steady tempo.
Five Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes slow-fast-slow.
Five Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes steady tempo.
Seven Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes slow-fast-slow.
Seven Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes stead tempo.

Further reccomendations:

Creatively apply each rudiment.
If you are playing a drumset, try splitting your hands up between two surfaces--for example play the rudiment with your right hand on the floor tom and left hand on the snare drum, or with your right hand on the hihat and left hand on the snare drum. Creativity is key. Try anything. If you like it, remember it. If you don't, move on. In this way you will develop your own style and voice.

There are many paths for more in-depth study of rudiments. Two of my personal favorites are a book called "The All American Drummer (150 Rudimental Solos)" by Charley Wilcoxon and The Rudimental Ritual by Alan Dawson which can be found in a book titled "The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary as taught by Alan Dawson" by John Ramsey.

[shizueleighhicks]

Niels, your lessons are a godsend. Rank beginner at 67 and find some beginning online tutorials intimidating. Yours are not. Easy to understand, thorough explanations and demonstrated as described. Love every minute.

I'm on my second week of three of the rudiment lessons. Practicing a lot. At the moment I just have a drum pad and your videos. In 6 months (when the weather is reliably better) I have plans to take lessons from a tutor. Your videos have inspired me that much. Many, many thanks!

[osmincamero]

Good day brother. I am just now learning finger drumming and wanted to begin practicing drum rudiments to apply to finger drumming as well as the hand pan. I want to THANK YOU for providing this method of practice along with the training routine and book recommendation. Five years later and your contribution is still helping us all. Thank you and you have an AMAZING day!!!

[brettt]

When you get a little older Sandy, you will understand that speed isnt everything. I wish I had someone at that to tell me. Stay humble, your a drummer. Don't give in to the stereotype. 

[kungfuninja]

Your welcome. The metronome is very important not only because makes sure you practice the same thing over and over so you can really improve quickly but also because if used enough it can help build or reinforce a stronger sense of time which can help one stay in tempo even without a metronome. However the slow-fast/ threshold tempo approach shown in your video works great with rolls when first trying to gain the muscle memory. Happy Drumming.

[leethompson]

great exercise.  Video is great; simple and no BS.

[jeremyunderground]

exactly. I started when I was 20 way back in 2006. But I still need to learn and explore more about drumming because I fell in love with this instrument more than guitar, bass and piano.

[abdadrumming]

THANK YOU! I especially like your Rebound & Control ("Bounce" & "Down") Strokes for the Doubles!

[thatsupergirl]

Great video. I'm really struggling with this though, my right dominant hand gets a little bounce back but my left is just completely useless - i can really tell i'm just using wrist movements for both strokes in the left hand.

[juanborjas]

Thank you for this video, I need to catch up with my rudiments.

[Masterbuilders-pctx]

These videos are amazing. I love them so much.😉😍😍😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰🤑🤑🤑🤟🤟

[rideokilledthevadio]

My percussion ensemble teacher linked us to your rudiment and reading videos. Nice quick reference, thanks!

[awesomlycooldrummer]

I am glad you say to not go to a tempo that is beyond your ability to have relaxed control.

Some people have speculated that speeding up like this while practicing unconsciously conditions you to rush while playing music. I am not sure if this is true, it would be interesting to see the results of a study.

Just a weird observation: you took way longer to speed up than you did to slow down.

[ayushsanwal]

Wow what a good beat. Thank you for the video.

[paradiddle]

My goodness, those strokes are gorgeous.

[bonguitoloco]

nice!!!! thanks for the lesson.... practice... practice makes the master....

[pietzsche]

Excellent lesson, especially the extra stuff in the description :)

[drummerboy]

Hi, I use 7A sticks which are very light as you would know... I've been playing for 35 years now and find them nice for ghost notes etc...
Do you think using heavier sticks while practicing rudiments helps while on a practice pad??

[travenator]

very nice video, it changed my view on rudiments.
but now that i've started practice them, i've discoverd a weakness that lowers my control.
the problem is, when i increase the speed and keep my hands relaxed, my left hand cant held the stick in one position, its moves slightly forwards, until i have to replace it.
but when i try to keep it calm, my hand builds tension and it doesnt sound clean and even anymore. do you have any tips?
Thanks!

[roshenfernando]

Good video very very helpful thank you

[Cloud_Strife_]

How do i practice with different surfaces and rebounds?