first lesson in independence

[techristian]

I posted this in a few other places. It may be helpful to beginning drummers.

 

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The way my teacher taught me independence was by breaking up into TIME SLICES. It is just a different way of looking at the drums and it may work for you.

 

Here is a simple rock beat with a little twist.

 

1) Play the snare drum on 2 and 4

2) Play the bass on 1+ 3+ with the right foot

3) Play the cymbal on 1+2+3+4+ with your right hand

4) Close the hyhat on 1 and 3 with left foot(normally with the snare on 2 and 4 but I want to teach you a bit of independence here.)

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Ok now here is how to look at this as TIME SLICES.

 

On 1 RIGHT FOOT, RIGHT HAND, LEFT FOOT together

On the "and" RIGHT FOOT, RIGHT HAND together

On 2 RIGHT HAND, LEFT HAND together

On the "and" RIGHT HAND only

On 3 RIGHT HAND, RIGHT FOOT, LEFT HAND, LEFT FOOT together

On the "and" RIGHT HAND, RIGHT FOOT together

On 4 RIGHT HAND, LEFT HAND together

On the "and" RIGHT HAND only

 

After you get through that list once then go through it over and over speeding it up gradually.

 

Then you can make it even more difficult by TAKING AWAY part of the RIDING 8TH NOTES ON THE CYMBAL. Take the cymbal out for 1 and 3 and only play +2+ +4+

 

Now this is a simple exercise for an advanced drummer, but those having trouble with coordinating 4 limbs may find this approach helpful.

 

Dan

http://teachmedrums.com