mvm.

So, I guess I should start something that requires me to do consistent posts on here …

So, I know, I’ll do a diary! All about my practice sessions, how fun!

START WITH USUALS

I begin with the usual rudiment-metronome shin-dig, warming up my hands. I also record any improvements made too, after all, its the reason why I’m in this practice room in the first place.

SINGLE STROKE ROLLS – Right BEST; 185bpm –  Left BEST; 180bpm

DOUBLE STROKE ROLLS – 150bpm 

SIX STROKE ROLL (RLLRRL) – 175bpm

PARADIDDLES (RLRRLRLL) – 180bpm 

SWISS ARMY TRIPLETS – 130bpm

Practice these on my dampened snare for approx. 15 minutes at a time – I then have a go with my feet; more particularly, my bass foot, or my boot, as I like to call it. Starting with doubles at 120bpm and going on from there. I then attempt and practice different bass drum variations around similar tempos. This usually takes around 20 minutes. I then have a bit of fun playing around with the metronome – become that bit more comfortable with the bastard.

NEW STUFF 

This practice session, I was looking at some tasty six stroke roll grooves and fills, with the roll itself being played from snare ghost notes to hi-hat placements, based around LRLLRRLL … etc. I found this from the YouTubez of Orlando Drummer, so go check him out for some tasty stuffs.

This took about 1 hour/ hour half to finally crack and it was such good fun to play  … So have a go, and let me know how you get up to!

SONGS I PLAYED TO 

As every practice session, I finish with some play-along fun … This time, I ventured intolikes of Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain” and “Houses of Holy.” Aswell as this, I’ve recently come across some solo work from such amazing drummers – Snarky Puppy’s Larnell Lewis and Benny Greb. Lewis’ has an amazing instrumental-only album out currently, “In the Moment” but more particularly, there is a tune called “Rejoice” on there, and it’s so enjoyable to play along to, from the rhythmical viewpoint, it flows so smoothly through sections. Greb also has developed some great solo material, especially through his acapella albums, “Grebfruit” and “Grebfruit 2” – two songs in particular, “Grebfruit” and “Couscous,” which personify great drum grooves and licks within, that you can’t help but bob your head and play along too.

So, if you have a minute or so free, go check ’em out!! It’s a good finish to a long practice session! Next time is definitely improving fast fills and of course, my left hand.

That’s all from me for now..

Alex x