Elementary Warmup And Ear Training Exercises

"It's all about time" Terry Clarke ​

Job number 1. Keeping time. Full stop. So, are people born with good time or is it trainable?

Of course a student can learn to play with good time. Ask any teacher or older musician and they will tell you, kids today are more skilled and more numerous and back in the day. Why is that? Many reasons, but one is the abundance and access to expert instruction.  Live and on YouTube. So, take heart.

Musical time is about muscle memory, ear training, and hand skills. Try this real simple exercise with the various metronome techniques. Over time it will help your time, feel, and hand technique while warming up your hands to practice.

​(It looks simple until the metronome moves. )

Now the techniques:

• This will be played at various tempi using the metronome. Try 80, 70, 90, 60, 100, 50, 110, 40. It's usually more difficult the slower it's played.  Play a least one minute at each tempo setting. For real beginners, one tempo is fine. I suggest 70 or 80.
• Now before beginning I want you to imagine a favorite drummer of yours. Think how well they play, how exciting it is, how thrilling. Imagine them doing these exercises. They played thousands of hours of similar exercises over the years. Imagine you doing the same. Get yourself psyched up to cheerfully workout.  
• Be sure to record yourself on your phone or electronic drum kit. This is crucial. (Roland kits have a built in app that will grade your progress as well.) But, do record yourself. You really do need to hear your progress of staying in time.
• Count aloud when playing: 1-2-3-4, 1&2&3&4& repeat

Now the stickings:

• RLRLRLRLRLRL 
• LRLRRLRLRLRL 
• RLRLRRLLRRLL
• LRLRLLRRLLRR

What are we trying to accomplish?
1. Even strokes between the hands, no loud or faint notes. Every note the same volume.
2. No rushing when the time value doubles in tempo between the quarter and eighth notes.
3. Relaxed grip.
4. Good rebound.

Challenge levels, metronome games.

• metronome only on beats 1 and 3
• metronome only on beats 2 and 4
• metronome only on beat 1
• metronome only on beat 2
• metronome only on beat 3
• metronome only on beat 4

Call me, I can help. 

​David