1-Note Independence

Back to the basics! There are certain exercises that I've found I should really play every day ("DAILIES") if I want to improve my skills on any instrument. Since my drumset playing is rather... unpolished... right now, it's time to go back to the basics of moving notes around on top of a stock swing pattern (not as easy as it sounds!).

1-Note Independence

I think the chart speaks for itself- you maintain a basic swing pattern check between your RH (ride cymbal) and your LF (hi-hat) THE ENTIRE TIME YOU'RE PLAYING -- breaking all over the place isn't a good habit to develop timing skills, so play with a met, and if you notice the check deviating AT ALL, remove the fancier elements (SD(LH)/BD(RF)) and make sure your check is solid.

Once you have a solid check, start playing through the patterns as indicated on the page (and come up with your own exercises, as well- don't be a bore.). The patterns I wrote down are all 4-bar phrases with a bar at the end to check in on your check (or insert a fill if you're feeling saucy), but somebody just starting out with an independence study like this would benefit more from 8-bar phrases of only one pattern at a time.

Work all the patterns every day if you want to see results.

Then prioritize the ones that don't "feel right" until they do feel right.

Just imagine how much control you would have if you spent the first 30 minutes of your practice time every day on basic independence studies like this! I'll let you know how it goes.