Dependence on Independence

As drummers, our minds have to do certain things that, unless trained, we are not able to do naturally. Each limb is an option--a pulse, an accent, a pattern. We have four of them. Throw in the head-bobbing, which is the perfect sign of having "feel", maybe some singing because you feel like it and your mind has gone crazy with independence. How do we do that? How can we train ourselves to do so many things at once, in time, sound good AND know exactly what we are doing?

It's all about our focus.

To get to the point, we must throw our brains into a situation where we are required to focus on more than one thing. For example, I've been working on a little something that I want to entitle "Stupid", however, it's actually genius. The idea is to make your hand play different patterns over a particular pattern that your feet play. Here it is:

Genius (a.k.a. "Stupid")

The first exercise is to play eighth note singles with your feet, preferably one foot on the kick and one on the hi-hat. Then, with your hands, play eighth note singles for 2 bars, then play eighth note doubles, then paraddidles, then RLL, then RLRLL, then RLRRLL, then, RLRLRLL, then, RRRLRLLL. When you get to the groups of 3-8, get creative and create your own patterns. You don't have to play these specific patterns

The next exercise is to play the same hand patterns while playing eighth note doubles with your feet. Again, one foot on the kick and the other on the hi-hat.

Be sure that every stroke you play with your hands matches with a stroke with your feet. Remember that your feet AND hands are playing straight eighth notes, but in different patterns. Be warned: your left hand will NOT always play with your left foot, nor will it always play with your right foot (same goes for your right hand).

The next exercise I find to be the most challenging exercise I've ever done.

Now, play a pattern of three with your feet. KKH or HHK (K = kick, H = hi-hat). If you get good with one, try the other. On top of this pattern will go your hand patterns. Start with singles and go down the line.

All three of these exercise will teach you to focus on what your hands AND feet are doing. It's going to be challenging, so take it bits at a time (read this is if you feel like exploding: Down on One Side).

Independance is truly a freeing topic. In other words, once you are able to play four different patterns all at the same time, you can play just about anything you put your mind to (pun intended). We as drummers have to depend on the ability to play those four different patterns (independence).

If you have any questions about this lesson (clarification, more thoughts, anything) send me an email by using the contact form on the website STIX Drumming Instructing, or by direct email: dexter.verrill@gmail.com.

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