Techniques

Grip Technique

This Jack Bennett video is one of the best I have found that describes how to grip the drum stick. It covers a variety of techniques including the use of wrists, fingers & the correct way to hold the stick in the "fulcrum"

Steve Smith - Bass Drum Technique

I found this video of Steve Smith using all 4 bass drum foot techniques in a sequential exercise. Heel/Toe (or leg/Foot depending on which school you went to!), Flat Foot, Heel Up & Full Leg. Give this exercise a go, it is extremely good for developing your foot technique. Remeber, slow, slow, slow at first, over emphasizing the movements & then gradually increase you speed.

Warm Up Exercises

In this video, Nick Thornsbury shares his warm up exercise routine. The Paradiddle/paradiddlediddle switch over is a very useful pattern, not only as a warm up, but it can be used as part of a solo.

Warm up is really important, so next time we have a lesson we can develop a short warm up routine for you to use. Remember the legs & ankles also need to be warmed up as well.

Moeller Motion – Clayton Skinner

In this video Clayton Skinner explains the Moeller Motion in detail & for those of you that have not yet mastered this technique, I strongly recommend you do so. If you have any questions on this technique, let’s discuss at the next lesson.

Steve Gadd - Aja Fills

Check out this video of Steve Gadd explaining the construction of some of the fills he used in the Steey Dan track “Aja”.

I have transcribed Steve’s fills and you can download them here