Drum Tips

In my drum lessons (where I'm teaching children), I usually start off with warmups. I don't really have a name for this one but I'll write out the sticking.

R R R R - R R R R - L L L L - L L L L

Basically eight strokes per each hand. Play this at a slow tempo and slowly begin picking up the tempo until you can go as fast as you can (without messing up). Then slow down gradually back to the beginning tempo, and repeat as desired. I usually just use this to get my wrists and forearms warmed up before practice or actual live performance.

Some nice videos I found on Youtube to add a little bit more flair into your playing style:


This guy is spicing up his sixteenth note fills by doubling up, or the double stroke whatever you want to call it. Sounds a lot better than regular sixteenth notes thats for sure.


In this video he's playing "Dirty Little Secret" by the All American Rejects, while showing where you can add some cool stick tricks. I guess stick tricks ups your showmanship, but only if you manage not to drop your stick!

-JP