This lesson is all about the basic independence a drummer's limbs should have in order play basic rhythms without any problems. It also helps to improve timing of the individual limbs in relation to each other. These exercises can be extended and changed as much as the drummer wishes.
This particular lesson is extremely useful for drummer that have just started out playing, but may drastically improve an advanced drummers' independence and timing as well.
These exercises are based on the ones I was taught by my teacher Luuk Kranenburg when I had just started out playing in my early teens. Credit where credit is due!
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First off we will be playing simple quarter notes (in a basic 4/4 measure) on each limb. All limbs at the same time, 4 beats in a measure.
This may sound dull to you, but you will notice how difficult it is to place all hits tight on top of each other. Especially the left foot (hi-hat) will be difficult to time precisely with the other hits. Play this exercise at different tempo's, but never too fast. Do not just speed it up because it makes the exercise easier!