drumming tips 2

Sight Reading Complete
for Drummers
Volume 2 of 3
By Mike Prestwood
An exploration of rhythm, notation, technique, and musicianship
ISBN 0-9760928-1-6
Published By
Prestwood Publications
www.prestwoodpublications.com
Exclusively Distributed By
Play-Drums.com
www.play-drums.com
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers © 1984, 2004 Mike Prestwood. All Rights Reserved.
First Printing, September 2004
No part of this book may be photocopied or reproduced in any way without permission.
Dedication
I dedicate this method series to my first drum instructor Joe Santoro. Joe is a
brilliant instructor and an exceptional percussionist. With his guidance, I
progressed quickly and built a foundation for a lifetime of drumming fueled by his
encouragement and enthusiasm.
Cover Design: Patrick Ramos
Cover Photography: Michelle Walker
Music Engraving: Mike Prestwood
Special thanks to: James LaRheir and Leslie Prestwood
Contents
Introduction..............................................................................1
Lesson 1: Switching Beat Group............................................4
Lesson 2: 16th Notes – “1e” and “1 a”....................................7
Lesson 3: 16th Notes – “1e a”..................................................9
Lesson 4: 16th Notes - “&a” and “e&” ..................................10
Lesson 5: 16th Notes - “e&a” and “e a”................................11
Lesson 6: 16th Notes - “e” and “a” .......................................12
Lesson 7: Triplet Rests .........................................................13
Lesson 8: Timing ...................................................................14
Lesson 9: ¼ Note Triplets .....................................................19
Lesson 10: Refining Ruffs.....................................................21
Lesson 11: 5/8, 7/8, and 11/8.................................................23
Lesson 12: 16th Notes in 8th Note Time Signatures............24
Lesson 13: 32nd Notes in 8th Note Time Signatures...........28
Lesson 14: 16th Note Time Signatures .................................29
Lesson 15: The Traditional Tie .............................................30
Lesson 16: 6’s and 16th Note Triplets..................................31
Lesson 17: Refining the Closed Roll....................................33
Lesson 18: Staccato Crush Roll ...........................................36
Lesson 19: Refining Double Strokes....................................37
Lesson 20: Triple Strokes .....................................................40
Lesson 21: 16th Note Triplets in 6/8 and 5/8 .......................41
Lesson 22: Flam Attack Rolls ...............................................42
Lesson 23: Accents, Legato Accents, and Rim Shots .......44
Lesson 24: Style and Interpretation .....................................46
Appendix A: Warm-Up Set 2 .................................................49
Appendix B: Triplet and 16th Note Accent Patterns ............52
Appendix C: Snare Solos ......................................................56
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 1 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Introduction
Introduction
Volume 2 of this 3-volume series starts with an introduction to Carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) along with some stretching
exercises then picks up where Volume 1 left off. The exercises of this volume complete the notation and rhythms found
commonly in music. Volume 3 explores advanced drum concepts and rhythms.
Getting the Most Out of this Book
Most of the exercises in this volume specify both practice tempo and dynamics either in the music (using traditional
notation marks) or in the lesson description. It is important to practice the tempos and dynamics specified first, then other
tempos as desired. To get the most out of each exercise, play the exercises several times alternating between playing the
exercises with a metronome, no metronome, and with the audio files.
The first time through read the introductory information regarding CTS then proceed straight through all 24 lessons in
volume two. Start each practice session with a warm up using Appendix A of this volume, and build your chops using
Appendix B as written or using one of the variations. As a final exam, learn and perform either solo in Appendix C (you can
perform for a fellow drummer, friends, or family).
Review: After completing the lessons in this method series, you can use these books for review material and chop
building. If you own all three volumes of this series, here is a formula for getting the most out of them:
1. Warm Up - Warm up using Appendix A of any one volume. The Volume 1 warm up is quick and easy while the
warm ups in Volumes 2 (this volume) and 3 are more complex. Strive for loose and relaxed muscles.
2. Build Your Chops – Build your chops using Appendix B of any one volume.
3. Take a Lesson - Choose one lesson from each volume (three lessons total) and review the material thoroughly.
Strive for a very high quality musical sound.
Play-Drums.com
You will find supplemental information at the following
internet address:
www.play-drums.com/sightreading
This is the official website for this series and includes
free movies that demonstrate various techniques
included in this series as well as related material such
as marching snare, drum set playing, and other
exercises.
Download the MP3 Audio Files
In order to perfect your timing and ability to play at
various tempos, you need to hear the rhythms and play
along with them. Free MP3 audio files for the lessons in
this series are available for download. You can play
them on your computer, download them to your MP3
player, or burn them to CD. Get the files now at:
www.play-drums.com/sightreading/download
Here is a guide to the file naming convention:
• 2-Lesson + ## + Ex + ## + ### BPM = The exercise(s) at
the given tempo. This will either be snare only or snare
and bass depending on the exercise.
• Bass = If “Bass” is indicated, then this version is the bass
drum only part which is helpful with learning to play along
with other instruments.
• Click = If “Click” is indicated, then this version is a click
track at the given tempo. These versions are particularly
helpful with the time switching exercises.
• Check = If “Check” is indicated, this version contains a
rhythmic check pattern. This is particularly helpful with the
timing and accent exercises.
Online Message Board
Post your questions and comments on our message board.
Online Teacher Guide
An online teacher’s guide is available at play-drums.com.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 2 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Introduction
Legend
The following is a legend for this three volume series:
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 3 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Introduction
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common wrist problem that drummers are particularly susceptible to because of the
repetitive motion of the drum stroke. Doctors believe the repetitive bending of the wrist and repetitive forceful grasping of
your drumstick can lead to CTS. To help lower your risk of getting CTS, warm up properly and use good technique that
includes relaxed muscles and a not too tight grip. From time to time, review the technique notes in Lesson 1 of Volume 1.
Although you cannot stop while performing, you can when you practice. If you feel the slightest tightness or pain in your
hands or arms, stop and start over at a slightly slower tempo or take a short break. Your goal is to develop the technique
required to play using relaxed muscles. In addition, you should not experience numbness and tingling in the hands after
playing drums or at night.
Note The purpose of this section is informational and introductory only. If you think you might have CTS,
consult your doctor immediately.
Wrist Exercises
You should explore as many wrist stretching and strengthening exercises as you can find. Your goal is to decide which
ones work best for you. The exercises in this section are the core exercises I do prior to a performance.
Finger Stretch
With loose and relaxed hands, touch your thumb and fingers together. Then gently push your palms closer and expand
your fingers. Hold for 20 seconds.
Spin Stick Stretch
Grip two sticks with one hand and spin your wrists at a comfortable speed for 15 seconds. Repeat with other hand. Do not
spin too fast. Your goal is to loosen the muscles of the wrist and forearm.
Inverted Stick Stretch
Grip your sticks with palms face up. Without letting go, invert your wrists -- bring your wrists toward you leading with either
hand and continue until inverted. Hold for 20 seconds.
Reverse Stick Finger Exercise
Although this exercise is not a wrist exercise, this seems like the best place for it. This exercise wakes up your fingers and
gets them involved in the match-grip drum stroke. In addition, this is a great way to practice a part silently.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 4 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 1: Switching Beat Group
Lesson 1: Switching Beat Group
The measure is the underlying fundamental pulse of music and the beat group is the number of beats per measure (the top
number in a time signature). For example, 􀂇􀂝 time feels different from 􀂔􀂝 time because it has a different beat group that
fundamentally changes the feel of the music. In this lesson, the beat group changes several times within each exercise. In
exercise 7, the mf-p dynamic mark at the beginning of the repeat in measure 5 directs you to play the measures at mf
(mezzo forte) the first time through, and p (piano) the second.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 5 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 1: Switching Beat Group
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 6 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 1: Switching Beat Group
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 7 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 2: 16th Notes – “1e” and “1 a”
Lesson 2: 16th Notes – “1e” and “1 a”
Practice these exercises at both f (forte) and piano p (piano) and strive for a maximum tempo of at least 160 BPM.
Exercises #1 and #7 notate four different sticking styles: right hand lead, left hand lead, and alternating singles starting
with either your right hand or left hand. Practice ALL FOUR sticking styles with exercises #1 and #7. For the rest of the
exercises, practice your primary sticking style.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 8 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 2: 16th Notes – “1e” and “1 a”
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 9 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 3: 16th Notes – “1e a”
Lesson 3: 16th Notes – “1e a”
Practice at both f and p dynamics and strive for a maximum tempo of at least 152 BPM. Exercise #1 notates four different
sticking styles: right hand lead, left hand lead, and alternating singles starting with either your right hand or left hand.
Practice ALL FOUR sticking styles with exercise #1. For the rest of the exercises, practice your primary sticking style.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 10 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 4: 16th Notes - “&a” and “e&”
Lesson 4: 16th Notes - “&a” and “e&”
Strive for a maximum tempo of at least 144 BPM. Practice these exercises at both f and p.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 11 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 5: 16th Notes - “e&a” and “e a”
Lesson 5: 16th Notes - “e&a” and “e a”
Practice these exercises at both f and p and strive for a maximum tempo of at least 144 BPM.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 12 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 6: 16th Notes - “e” and “a”
Lesson 6: 16th Notes - “e” and “a”
Strive for a maximum tempo of at least 132 BPM. Practice these exercises at both f and p.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 13 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 7: Triplet Rests
Lesson 7: Triplet Rests
Take the first exercise slowly and precisely to enforce the feel of a triplet. For additional practice, you can also practice
these exercises in cut time. Exercise #2 uses the clearer ratio notation while the rest of the exercises use the more
traditional tuple notation. You can read the ratio notation as “play 3 in the place of 2 eighth notes”. Practice these exercises
at both f and p.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 14 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 8: Timing
Lesson 8: Timing
Practice these exercises at f and strive for a maximum tempo of at least 160 BPM. Practice all four sticking styles: right
hand lead, left hand lead, and alternating singles starting with your right hand and your left hand. Play to a metronome and
let the rhythm flow. Download the audio files from play-drums.com and play along with them to perfect your timing.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 15 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 8: Timing
Exercise 1 stressed continuous playing, exploring various rhythms. These next two timing exercises stress quarter and half
note rests. Exercise 2 explores playing the rhythms learned thus far at a medium tempo. Exercise 3 is an up-tempo timing
exercise.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 16 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 8: Timing
Simple to Complex Timing Exercise
Playing entire sections that are either dense or sparse (for example, exercises 1-4 in this lesson) is easier then switching
back and fourth. This next timing exercise stresses switching from dense to sparse playing.
Rest Timing Exercise
This exercise stresses an ever-increasing length of rests. Coming in at the exact correct time is very important. Try playing
this exercise to the snare only audio file that contains no click track and to the bass only track. Practice this exercise both
counting and not counting. Learn to feel the rests correctly.
Sight Reading Complete for Drummers – free preview! 17 www.play-drums.com, Vol.2 -- Lesson 8: Timing
Just imagine what your missing!
“Thank you for downloading and reading the introduction pages to my
book Sight Reading Complete for Drummers: Volume 2 of 3. To
order this book (53 pages) and the other two volumes, please visit
http://www.play-drums.com/sightreading/” -Mike Prestwood