Program 01 Lesson 05

Quarter notes, individual limbs on the count, left hand exercise 1

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars.

In this exercise the left hand is the lead or dominant limb.

We will be playing the snare drum with our left hand.

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all of the bars.

We will be playing this for 16 bars.

| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2
| Snare | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2
| Snare | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2
| Snare | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2
| Snare | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Program 01 Lesson 04

Quarter notes, individual limbs on the count, right hand exercise 2

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars.

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb.

We will be playing the ride cymbal with our right hand.

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of only the 2 count, then 4

bars of only the 3 count and then 4 bars of only the 4 count.

| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Ride | o | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Ride | | o | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Ride | | | o | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Ride | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Program 01 Lesson 03

Quarter notes, individual limbs on the count, right hand exercise 1

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars.

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb.

We will be playing the ride cymbal with our right hand.

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all of the bars.

We will be playing this for 16 bars.

| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Ride | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Ride | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Ride | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Ride | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Program 01 Lesson 02

Quarter notes, individual limbs on the count, right foot exercise 2

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars.

In this exercise the right foot is the lead or dominant limb.

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot.

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of only the 2 count, then 4 bars of only the 3 count and then 4 bars of only the 4 count.

| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Bass | o | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Bass | | o | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Bass | | | o | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Bass | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o | | | | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Program 01 Lesson 01

Quarter notes, individual limbs on the count, right foot exercise 1

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars.

In this exercise the right foot is the lead or dominant limb.

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot.

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all of the bars.

We will be playing this for 16 bars.

| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Bass | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Bass | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Bass | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| Bass | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o | o

Program 01 / introducing quarter notes, counting explained

Welcome to Program 1 Counting explained

In this section I will explain how and why I count through the exercises.

In program 1 we are focusing on playing only quarter notes. We are counting in 4/4-time signature. The first 4 tells us how many beats there are in a bar and this is called the count. The second 4 tells us that the value of the notes we are counting are quarter notes. Quarter notes are also called crotchets. We count 1 through 4 on the beat in every bar. So, we count 1, 2, 3, 4 and repeat. This allows us to know where we are within any bar. Each number we count represents a quarter note.

This is a great starting point but you will hear me counting differently in the recordings. Counting 1 through 4 can get you lost over time.

Most music in 4/4 works in 4 bar melodies. I count in 4 bar groups for more knowledge of where I am in an exercise. This also works when counting through songs. I count the first bar as normal, counting 1 2 3 4. I count the second bar as 2 2 3 4. I count the third bar as 3 2 3 4. I count the fourth bar as 4 2 3 4. After 4 bars I repeat the cycle.

Another thing to take into consideration when counting is the BPM. BPM stands for beats per minute and is represented by a number. We will be working at 60, 70 and 80 BPM. So, this translates to 60, 70 or 80 quarter notes each minute.

When practicing my exercises I count out loud. By counting out loud you reinforce the muscle memory in your limbs. When playing with others I count in my head. Always count as you play so you don’t get lost.

Ultimately, we are looking to be able to drop any limb or combination of limbs on any number when we count it. Practicing your counting will make you a better drummer. So don’t be tempted to skip practicing your counting.

Hello and welcome to Learn to Play the Drums.

This is a program of bite sized audio drum kit lessons. These lessons are designed to evaluate and elevate you’re playing skills. No matter how long you have played for, we all have room for improvement. We all have elements of our playing that we embrace and that we avoid. I have been playing for decades now and I am no different. I find myself sitting in my drumming comfort zone. Occasionally things come out of nowhere to trip me up. I am confused that things are tripping me up. I have many years of playing behind me so what is happening? Why do some things trip me up and others do not? The answer is simple really. I have learnt what I wanted too and ignored the rest. The problem now, is that I have left holes in my playing. I am sure that you are the same. Ask me to play a rock beat and I can, without thinking about it. Ask me to play the count using my left foot on the HI hat as well and I cannot. get someone else. I would probably fall off my stool attempting it. Why? I just haven’t practiced it. So why haven’t I practiced it? Because I have never had a structured practicing program. A program that forced me to practice in a structured way. I have always just learnt “this groove” or “that fill” as my whims dictated. Never did I think that I was leaving holes in my playing because I was always improving. Well, I was and I wasn’t. I was getting better at the things I was practicing. I wasn’t getting better at the things I wasn’t practicing. Jazz playing was never cool to me but double kick playing I loved. The trouble is that I left holes in my playing and they caught up with me. They always will. I want to be in a strong place with my playing. If somebody asked me to put the HI hat into that rock beat, then I could. If I am asked to play the beat in 7/8 time then I could. I never want to be in a position where I would have to say “sorry, I can’t do that”. That’s not the player I want to be. I want to be a well-rounded player. So, I needed to make sure I was covering all areas of my playing. I am a system’s trained person so I built a system to work through. I decided to create a collection of programs and exercises to aid my practice. Before I built this I would go to my kit with the intention of practicing. I would sit at my stool and ask myself what am I practicing today. No answer would come so I just played for a while. All the same stuff I had played the day before, absolutely nothing new. I really needed a program to work through. I wanted to have equal control of all my limbs. So, I have made sure that I have treated all limbs equally within my programs. I Have made sure all limbs are played in all possible places within the bar. No limb should be stronger than another. I worked with counting. I focused on the importance of being able to count my way through the lessons. I trained my listening skills. I learnt to listen to how these exercises sounded. How the drums sounded in different places, patterns and combinations. Learning to listen so I could hear what other drummers are playing. I also wanted to start creating and stop just recreating. I no longer wanted to just copy the grooves and fills of my favourite Drummers. I want to take their influences but put me into my creations. To do this though I need full command over all my limbs. No holes in my playing to stop my creativity. This is the Point of the structured practice I have created. It will show you your strengths and boost your confidence. It will show you your weaknesses and where you need to put the practice in. I built the programs for me but soon realised how useful they are. I wanted to share them so here they are. So, work the program and don’t cut corners. You will soon know where you are great and where you are not so great but keep practicing and you will start to improve, I promise. I did!

Good luck!