I run into alot of what I think are mental issues with speed like this. I can rip off a five stroke roll or a 7 stroke roll very fast. I can play a paradiddle very fast, I can do my para diddle diddles fast, but somehow when putting them together my mind can't keep up and my hands can't follow. I know the physical ability is in my hands, but I can't put it together. do you have any tips for getting past this mental block?
Absolutely.
In your case as in many it is not physical.
It is the muscle memory. It is not possible to
create flawlessy smooth segways from one rudiment to
another unless you work on doing just that.
You being able to burn the rudiments you mentioned is the first step,
now that you accomplished that you must move to the next step. Combining or
compunding them. Here is how to fix your delima very easily.
Step 1: I want you to take 3 rudiments that you feel you play all equal. Remember,
you must be able to play these three all at the same level because if not you will have a weak link in there and you don't want that. If you see a weakness in one of them, go back to step 1 until they are all equal. So...
Step 2: Start creating combinations with these
3 rudiments where they will flow in and out of each other. My advice would be to utilize
the double stroke roll, the paradiddle and the paradiddle diddle as they are easy to work
with for this. If you prefer not to go back to mastering the weaker one than just play them all at a comfortable speed and you can train them that way as well, takes a bit longer but still works just fine.
You will see great results by spending some time on this. This is why I stress so much to
those studying my program with me here personally to not get side tracked when performing each day's exercise as it is vital for future studies such as the one we are discussing right now. Do it right the first time, get the muscle memory for each mastered and you will be on your way when it comes to advanced studies like this.
Free your mind, meditate and concentrate and you will see great results. Give it about 3-4 weeks with daily practice and you will see what I mean. Please let me know how this is working for you. I am very interested. P.S. Go read up on this at my myspace as well for some more detailed tips. There is no way possible for your mind to follow when playing at those kinds of speeds, it is already there you just have to access it.
S