Category Archives: RUDIMENTS

How to Practice Drum Rudiments

A Brief Introduction to Two Basic Ways to Practice Each Rudiment

1. Slow-Fast-Slow
2. Steadily at your fastest relaxed controlled speed

Sample Practice Routine

Choose three rudiments to focus on each week.
Spend 9 minutes per day practicing them.
Break down the 9 minutes into 3 minutes/rudiment.
Break down the 3 minutes on each rudiment into:
1 1/2 minutes practicing waves from slow-fast-slow.
1 1/2 minutes practicing steadily at your fastest relaxed controlled speed.

Sample Practice Routine Applied

Double Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes slow-fast-slow.
Double Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes steady tempo.
Five Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes slow-fast-slow.
Five Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes steady tempo.
Seven Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes slow-fast-slow.
Seven Stroke Roll 1 1/2 minutes stead tempo.

Further Recommendations

Creatively apply each rudiment.
If you are playing a drumset, try splitting your hands up between two surfaces–for example play the rudiment with your right hand on the floor tom and left hand on the snare drum, or with your right hand on the hihat and left hand on the snare drum. Creativity is key. Try anything. If you like it, remember it. If you don’t, move on. In this way you will develop your own style and voice.

There are many paths for more in-depth study of rudiments. Two of my personal favorites are a book called “The All American Drummer (150 Rudimental Solos)” by Charley Wilcoxon and The Rudimental Ritual by Alan Dawson which can be found in a book titled “The Drummer’s Complete Vocabulary as taught by Alan Dawson” by John Ramsey.