Creating a custom stick control exercise plan for advanced drumming is really important. It helps you improve your technique, get faster, and become a better musician overall. Stick control exercises focus on practicing basic patterns and movements that can greatly improve your drumming skills. Here's a simple guide to help you make your own plan.
Why Stick Control Matters: Stick control is key for getting better at playing with different volumes and staying in sync. Many advanced drummers, about 85%, believe that stick control is a major factor in boosting their performance.
Basic Rudiments: There are 26 main drum rudiments, as recognized by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). These rudiments are the building blocks for stick control exercises. Practicing at least 10 to 15 of them can really help you improve.
Know Your Skills: Take a look at your strengths and areas where you can improve. Track your speed (how fast you play, measured in strokes per minute) and accuracy (how often you hit the right notes). For example, an advanced drummer might aim to play single strokes at 120 beats per minute (BPM) with at least 90% accuracy for two minutes.
Mix Up Your Exercises: A varied practice routine helps you work on different skills. You can divide stick control exercises into categories:
Set Clear Goals: Create specific goals that you can measure. For example, try to increase your double stroke speed by 10 BPM in two weeks. Regularly checking your goals will help you keep improving.
Work on Accents and Ghost Notes: Add exercises that mix accents and ghost notes into your practice. A study from Berklee College of Music found that drummers who practice dynamics can improve their overall musical skills by up to 30%.
Slowly Change Tempo: Spend time practicing at different speeds. Research shows that starting slow (like 60 BPM) before going faster (120 BPM and up) can help your muscle memory and accuracy get better.
Practice Days: Set aside at least five days a week, with different focuses each day:
Check Your Progress: After each week, see how much you've improved with the metrics you set up. Adjust your plan based on what you find to make sure you're challenging yourself while still building a strong foundation.
Making a good stick control exercise plan means personalizing the rudiments to fit your needs, setting clear goals, and regularly checking your progress. With consistent practice, you can master advanced drumming techniques, which will help you perform better both alone and in groups. A solid stick control routine not only hones your technical skills but also boosts your creativity and expression—both key qualities for any experienced drummer.
Creating a custom stick control exercise plan for advanced drumming is really important. It helps you improve your technique, get faster, and become a better musician overall. Stick control exercises focus on practicing basic patterns and movements that can greatly improve your drumming skills. Here's a simple guide to help you make your own plan.
Why Stick Control Matters: Stick control is key for getting better at playing with different volumes and staying in sync. Many advanced drummers, about 85%, believe that stick control is a major factor in boosting their performance.
Basic Rudiments: There are 26 main drum rudiments, as recognized by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). These rudiments are the building blocks for stick control exercises. Practicing at least 10 to 15 of them can really help you improve.
Know Your Skills: Take a look at your strengths and areas where you can improve. Track your speed (how fast you play, measured in strokes per minute) and accuracy (how often you hit the right notes). For example, an advanced drummer might aim to play single strokes at 120 beats per minute (BPM) with at least 90% accuracy for two minutes.
Mix Up Your Exercises: A varied practice routine helps you work on different skills. You can divide stick control exercises into categories:
Set Clear Goals: Create specific goals that you can measure. For example, try to increase your double stroke speed by 10 BPM in two weeks. Regularly checking your goals will help you keep improving.
Work on Accents and Ghost Notes: Add exercises that mix accents and ghost notes into your practice. A study from Berklee College of Music found that drummers who practice dynamics can improve their overall musical skills by up to 30%.
Slowly Change Tempo: Spend time practicing at different speeds. Research shows that starting slow (like 60 BPM) before going faster (120 BPM and up) can help your muscle memory and accuracy get better.
Practice Days: Set aside at least five days a week, with different focuses each day:
Check Your Progress: After each week, see how much you've improved with the metrics you set up. Adjust your plan based on what you find to make sure you're challenging yourself while still building a strong foundation.
Making a good stick control exercise plan means personalizing the rudiments to fit your needs, setting clear goals, and regularly checking your progress. With consistent practice, you can master advanced drumming techniques, which will help you perform better both alone and in groups. A solid stick control routine not only hones your technical skills but also boosts your creativity and expression—both key qualities for any experienced drummer.