Indepedence Exercises

[Michael G]

What are some good independence exercises? I realized the amount of practice I need on it when I learned the jazz shuffle and how I can't do two things at once.

[vadrum]

i recommend keith copelands book "Creative Coordination for the Performing Drummer". this book covers several different styles of music and it gives you material that is easily utilized on the gig. plus, theres a gallery of greats and a discography for suggested listening.

here are some online resources:

http://www.tigerbill.com/drumlessons/fourwayjazzchops_lesson1.htm

http://www.tigerbill.com/drumlessons/fourwayjazzchops_lesson2.htm

[Class A Drummer]

Buy the book "Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer" by Jim Chapin. Not only will it help you will your jazz independence, but your jazz playing skill in general will greatly increase.

Edit- also my four way independence has gotten alot better, and when i play sambas and mozambiques, my playing sounds alot more clean and fluent.

[Beat Spector]

the book you simply Gotta have when i come to learning jazz is "Mel Bay's studio jazz/drum cookbook".
it takes you from zero to ... well....quite a more-than-decent jazz player.

it's clearly written, builds up logically and fun to do. nice idea's small exercices and bigger ones...and let me tell you: your independence improves dramatically, trust me on this one.

Can't say anything bad about that book really...maybe the only thing that's a shame is that it doesn't cover brushes. But hey, when it comes to that i want a book specialised in brush techniques so...

One more reason to purchase this book? ok: since it's build up very logically it's quite easy to monitor your progress which works enormously motivating. You practically feel the improvement in your playing from week to week...

[Drummer Karl]

One word (book): Stick Control.
Especially those "Drori Excercices" are great! Watch this vid and you`ll kjnow what I mean with my stupid talking...lol

have fun with it, it can be sooo musical and this concept is easy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmpRuNmmF6k

Karl

[foursticks]

I agree with Karl on Stick Control, but also try Jim Blackley's Syncopated Rolls for the Modern Drummer that's really good for independence, but it lets you apply those excersises musically instead of giving you a load of licks like some books can do.

[The Stig]

Check out Gary Chester's book "new breed".

[Beat Spector]

One word (book): Stick Control.
Especially those "Drori Excercices" are great! Watch this vid and you`ll kjnow what I mean with my stupid talking...lol

have fun with it, it can be sooo musical and this concept is easy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmpRuNmmF6k

Karl


that's great! awesome exercise! first thing i'll try on my kit today :-d i'm practicing jazz anyways d
thanx!

[zambizzi]

That's just *awesome*! I'm always looking for new, cool ways to incorporate Stick Control into my kit practice...this is very helpful!!

Check out the other lessons on YouTube from "onlinedrummer"...lots of good, free lessons for various techniques.

[zambizzi]

I did this (and some of Jim Chapin's book) for about 3 hrs. today...they really complement each other well. I have to say, this is a great find...thanks for sharing!

[skinny]

Alan Dawson had Tony Williams play through the Stick Control book using his left hand and right foot while playing a jazz groove with the right hand
Awesome Independence practicing

[secondXheartbeat]

Alan Dawson had Tony Williams play through the Stick Control book using his left hand and right foot while playing a jazz groove with the right hand
Awesome Independence practicing

Holy crap! I'll have to try that sometime, that is wild.

[Class A Drummer]

A fun thing to do also to increase independence is keep foot patterns going.

One i have been working with has been a samba patter.

L= left foot on hi hat R= R foot on bass


R LRR LRR LRR (1 2+3 4+1 2+3 ect).

Then do different hand patterns on the off beat. Its fun. Or keep straight 8th notes with the left hand, and quarters on the right. If you have never done it before, it is rather difficult.

[Tyr]

A fun thing to do also to increase independence is keep foot patterns going.

One i have been working with has been a samba patter.

L= left foot on hi hat R= R foot on bass


R LRR LRR LRR (1 2+3 4+1 2+3 ect).

Then do different hand patterns on the off beat. Its fun. Or keep straight 8th notes with the left hand, and quarters on the right. If you have never done it before, it is rather difficult.

Ostinatos are a great way to gain independence, and they are a blast to play!

Anyone looking to get into some serious independence stuff should check out Minnemann's book "Extreme Interdependence"

[Porker69]

Learn Alan Dawson's drum ritual, i forgot what book it's transcribed in, but it will definately help your independence and coordination, and you will learn all of the rudiments, and since starting to learn it I can really feel the differences in my own playing.

[samthebeat]

Dori kicks arse, I have been loving it, really flexes the brain the muscles. Good find Karl.

[Jose_Ramirez]

Instead of trying to play your limbs independent, each one playing something different, try playing interdependent. That is when all your limbs playing different but work together to make the flowing groove.EX:(Jazz) You should be able to comp whatever you want and the right hand doesn't change. Same thing with bass drum comping. They work together.

[jmontroy]

That Drori exercise is ridiculously useful and awesome. I spent about a half an hour trying to get singles leading right going all three ways, and I've kinda got...I need to work it more, but man, what an exercise!

I'd suggest Mel Bay's Jazz Cookbook and The New Breed..part two as well if you want. I have both and they're excellent.

[syoshii]

Alan Dawson had Tony Williams play through the Stick Control book using his left hand and right foot while playing a jazz groove with the right hand
Awesome Independence practicing

I think it's Syncopation book, not Stick Control. I learned it from a guy who was Alan's student in the '70s, playing Syncopation book with my left hand and right foot while playing 4/4 Jazz groove with my right hand and left foot. He said it was exactly what Alan taught him.

[ExPLiciT]

Check out Gary Chester's book "new breed".

yeah that would be my choice a very good book