What Are the Best Stick Exercises to Improve Your Coordination?

If you're a new drummer, practicing stick exercises is super important for building coordination. By learning how to control your sticks, you'll improve your drumming. Plus, it helps your hands and feet work better together, which is key for playing more complex beats. Let’s take a look at some simple stick exercises that will get you rocking in no time!

1. Single Stroke Roll

This is a classic exercise every drummer should try. You alternate your hands in a steady pattern: R, L, R, L (Right, Left). The goal is to make each hit sound smooth and even.

How to Practice:

• Start slow at about 60 BPM (beats per minute).
• As you get better, you can play faster.
• Use a metronome to keep a steady pace.

2. Double Stroke Roll

Next is the double stroke roll. Here, you hit each hand twice before switching: R, R, L, L. This helps you work on finger control and wrist movement.

Practice Tips:

• Keep the spacing even: R, R, L, L.
• Start slowly and focus on making your hits consistent.
• Once you feel good at that speed, try to go faster.

3. Paradiddle

The paradiddle is a fun exercise with a special pattern: R, L, R, R, L, R, L, L. It helps with coordination since it mixes up the way you use your sticks.

How to Do It:

• Keep your hands loose and relaxed.
• Count out loud to help keep track: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &.
• Try playing this at different speeds to get better overall.

4. Flam Exercise

Flams add some extra flair to your drumming, making it sound cooler. For this, you play a soft note before the main note: R, L, and then repeat.

Steps to Follow:

• Hit a soft note with your non-dominant hand right before you hit a stronger note with your dominant hand.
• For example: play R (soft note) then R (strong note).
• Again, use a metronome to keep the rhythm steady while you practice.

5. Stick Control with Feet

To make sure your arms and legs can work independently, try using your feet in a basic exercise. Practice your singles (R, L) while tapping a steady beat on the bass drum.

Tips for Combining:

• Start with a simple R, L while tapping your foot to a steady quarter note.
• Challenge yourself to use different patterns with your feet. For example, alternate the hi-hat with your left foot while keeping the single strokes going with your hands.

Conclusion

These stick exercises will help you improve coordination and independence. Plus, they make your practice more enjoyable! Remember, practice regularly! Start slow and gradually speed up as you get more comfortable. With a little patience and focused practice, you’ll become a more coordinated and versatile drummer. Enjoy the journey, and happy drumming!