Claus Hessler: Limb Independence Exercises Every Drummer Should Practice

Claus Hessler was only four years old when he first began playing the drums. Over the ensuing 50 years, he’s refined and expanded his craft to include session recording, touring, original compositions, and work as a clinician. Renowned for his percussive mastery, he has published multiple internationally reaching educational- and instructional resources in addition to developing a novel open-hand playing technique under the tutelage of jazz drummer Jim Chapin. Hessler’s work extends far beyond the limits of Western musical tradition, and his multimodal expertise is reflected throughout his diverse oeuvre, including in today’s lesson on limb independence exercises. Sweetwater’s NDV joins Claus Hessler for a detailed walkthrough of the limb-independence exercises every drummer should be practicing. Check it out!


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[adityatyagi]

Both Claus and Nick are amazing! Please have him back. Oh, his 2 volumes on open handed drumming are a must for anyone serious about expanding their abilities!

[drumlover]

Claus is simply incredible.The concentration and focus he's achieved to be able to play all those different patterns countering the ostinato rhythm is just incredible. And also, the Mapex drums, sound and look magnifico!!

[keithpratt]

For me shuffles, 4 limb independence, flam with rudiments with hands and double bass. Learning Rosanna with groove and ghost notes has improved me. It has been a tough song for me to learn.
Thank you for asking.
Really good video.
I own 2 Mapex kits. This evolution finish. Wow. Plus they are great sounding. When I get a full on pro kit, this will be it. I have an Armory and a Meridian birch. Both are well built, look and sound way above their price point.
Last but not least, practicing with a metronome has made me a much more hirable drummer...along with being responsible and easy to work with.
Best wishes drum brethren!

[RolfHering]

Claus is slowly but surely becoming the Gandalf of drumming

[louishebert]

Wow il a vraiment tout un style, une approche vraiment unique

[igorgoncalves]

Brazilian rhythms mentioned! 👍👍 Definitely there`s some hard patterns like Baião, Samba, Bossa and others impossible like Frevo and Maracatu! Claus is a genius of hand technique!

[CharlesTPrimm]

Fantastic lesson, for all abilities! Thanks, and cheers. What about the jazz ride pattern with right hand, hats quarter note pulse with left foot, and comping with left arm and right foot. Any particular exercises to get started there?

[colin]

If only Zappa was still alive. I'd love to see and hear him play with him.

[stevenabi]

Sounds like 3 drum machines at once not synced, yet they are synced.

[ronaldcoleman]

It's a nice looking kit, but is it just me, or can I make the same sounding kit from Tupperware??? Haha!! No offence attended!