Memorization isn't really a must.
When I go through Stick Control I can tell what the next exercise will be as I view it. That applies to Swing Solos, too.
You may memorize certain exercises / patterns more than others. That's fine.
I play, on the home set, 10,12,13,14,15" toms and a 16 and 18" floor toms.
I use clear Remo Ambassadors, top and bottom. Both heads are tuned medium low, both heads same pitch.
I've never had a problem with any size.
Steve Holmes, in one of his many great lessons, mentioned "Getting something from technical exercise to musical phrase."
You should be able to execute ideas with your technique.
Jack DeJohnette said it best...
"You're not thinking 5 stroke roll or whatever. You should be on automatic pilot so that your technique and your emotions come together in that one moment."
SHIT LIST
In The Year 2525
Satin Doll
Sunny
Mack The Knife (UGH!)
All Of Me
Girl From Ipanema
Bad Bad Leroy Brown
Feelings
You Sexy Thing
You Should Be Dancing
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing (Barfing)
You Can Ring My Bell
Disco Duck
The EGO quotient is off the charts. too! I gigged in one Blues band for less than a year and that was too much for me. I met too many rank musicians who thought they were the shit! Musicially, never has so little been done by so many. The attitude towards drummers was demeaning. "Anybody can...