Smart Sticks Worker

drumlearn
eBooks
Smart Sticks Worker
by Karl Price
Contents
2
Introduction
Musical Symbols Worker
Reader Worker 1 - Eighth and Sixteenth Notes
5-8
Reader Worker 2-5 - Eighth and Sixteenth Note Variations
Rudiment Worker 1 - Flams, Drags and Ruffs
10-11
Rudiment Worker 2-3 - Double Stroke Rolls
12-33
Sticks Worker - Hand and Foot Beat Coordination
34-39
Beat and Fill-in Worker - Practice Phrasing
40
Melodic Worker - Sixteenth Notes
41
Melodic Worker - Triplets on the snare and kit mix
42
Time Worker 1 - 3/4
43
Time Worker 2 - 5/4
44
Time Worker 3 - 5/8
45
Time Worker 4 - 6/8
46
Time Worker 5 - 7/8
47
Time Worker 6 - 9/8
48
Time Worker 7 - 15/16
49
Time Worker 8 - 19/16
50
Time Worker 9 - Time Mix 1
51
Time Worker 10 - Time Mix 2
52
Time Worker 11 - Fill-ins
53
Time Worker 12 - Fill-ins 2
54
Closing Remarks
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Introduction
Welcome to the Smart Sticks Worker!
In this second Drum eBook we will once again look at five areas of drumming:
In the first section we will look at the notes we will be using throughout. We will concentrate on
semiquavers, semiquaver variations, plus quarter and eighth note triplets. These are the notes that
are used most often in contemporary music. Thats one of the reasons I named this eBook, Smart
Sticks Worker!
The second section consists of a further exploration of rudiments including the Flam, Drag, Ruffs
and Rolls.
Next is the coordination development section utilizing the notes I mentioned earlier. The inspiration
for the style of presentation came from working through Gary Chesters New Breed books. I have
taken what I learnt from those books and assembled a watered-down working format. Working
implies that these rhythms are immediately usable and function in various musical settings.
The Melodic Worker is an extension of the coordination section. Here we will orchestrate some of
the hi-hat patterns round the kit.
The final of section of the eBook is the Time Worker. Here we will explore Odd Time signatures and
combine some of the rhythms with odd time Fill-ins.
The Reader Worker
We will start by looking at and playing some exercises with sixteenth notes and rests. Following this
are some sixteenth note variations. We will look at several combinations of all the notes and rests
as we progress through the Reader Worker section.
The Rudiments Worker
First up is an exploration of Grace Notes used in the Flam, Drag and Ruff Strokes. Following this we
will look at many of the Double Stroke Rolls.
The Beat Worker
Most of the sixteenth note Beat Worker coordination exercises are set out in a six bar format. This
means that there are six different hi-hat patterns to work through with the changing kick and snare
patterns. In the triplet sections there are twelve hi-hat patterns to work through with the kick and snare
patterns.
The Melodic Worker
In this section we will transfer some of the hi-hat rhythms to the rest of the kit and play some melodic
beats.
The Time Worker
To finish, we will explore a selection of different time signatures ranging from quarter note signatures
to sixteenth note signatures. We can then play these rhythms together with some fill-ins within a four
bar cycle.
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Musical Symbols Worker

Sixteenth Notes and Rests (Semiquavers)
The sixteenth note is written with two 'flags'.
Sixteenth notes are joined together by two
beams. The rest is written with two dots
which are placed in the 2nd and 3rd spaces
on the staff.
Note
Rest
Beamed Group
The Tie (Tenuto)

In drum notation the 'tie' takes
the place of a rest. The meaning
of the tie is to hold or sustain
the first note through the duration
of the second note. Drums don't
sustain well, so we count the
duration of the second note.
The Slur
The most frequently used 'slur'
in drum notation is the 'let ring'
slur. This is used for cymbal
crashes, etc. The slur is also used
to connect two or more notes
together in a smooth manner (Legato).
Cym ring
Play Count /
Note don't play
The Dotted Note and Rest

A dot placed after a note or rest
increases the value of the note
or rest by half. If a double dot
is placed after the note or rest,
the second dot increases the
note/rest duration by half of the
newnote/rest.
Quarter Note Triplets

Another example of Tuplets.
Here we have 3 quarter note
triplets played in the space
of 2 quarter note beats. This
creates a 3 against 2 polyrhythm. A bracket is placed
either side of the numeral if
the tuplet is not beamed.
Eighth Note Triplets

These notes along with other
non metric groupings are
known as Tuplets. They have
a number '3' positioned above
the beam. We have 3 eighth
note triplets to every quarter
note beat.
Note
Grace Note 1 (Acciaccatura)

Grace notes have no specific
note or time value. Here we have
a grace note written as a small
eighth note with a line through.
This line indicates that the time
value is crossed out (omitted).
This grace note is used with the
Flam stroke.
Rest
Grace Note 2 (Acciaccature)

This grace note is used in the Drag
and Ruff drum Rudiments. It is
usually notated as sixteenth notes.
Four Stroke
Ruff
The Drag or
Three Stoke Ruff
The Flam
Play smoothly
Time Signature 1
(Simple Time)
Time Signature 2
(Compound Time)
Time Signature 3
(Irregular Time)
Time Signature 4
(Irregular Time)
Here we have simple

quadruple time: 4 quarter
beats per bar. Simple Time
indicates that each beat can
be divided into 2 equal notes.
Each beat is an undotted note.
Other examples of Simple
Time are 2/4, 3/4 and 2/2.
Here we have compound Duple

Time: 2 Dotted Crotchet beats
per bar. Compound Time indicates
that each beat can be divided into
3 equal notes. Each beat is a dotted
note. Other examples of Compound
Time are 9/8 and 12/8.
Here we have 7/8: 7 eighth

notes per bar. This can be
divided into either 2 or 3
note groupings. Below, the
notes are divided into a group
of 2/4 and 3/8.
Here we have 15/16: 15 sixteenth

notes per bar. This can be divided
into a two note grouping by counting
3 quarter beats of eighth notes
followed by 3 sixteenth notes.
1 2
3 4 5 6 7
4 5
6 1 2 3
44 68 78 1516
1 2
1 2
3 4
3 4 1
1 an 2 an 3 an 1 2 3
2 3
5 6
Dynamic Markings (Soft to Loud) Using a single stroke roll, try playing through the exercise below, observing the dynamic markings.
Very very soft
Very soft
Soft
Moderately soft
Moderately loud
Loud
pianississimo
pianissimo
piano
mezzopiano
mezzoforte
forte
ppp
pp
mp
mf
Very loud
Very very loud
fortississimo
fortissimo
fff
ff
etc...
Other frequently used musical symbols
diminuendo (dim.) - Gradually getting quieter
crescendo (cresc.) - Gradually getting louder
fermata - Hold on the note or rest
Tenuto - Hold for full note duration
Copyright 2009 Drum Learn All Rights Reserved
Marcato - Heavy accent (Roof Top)
Staccato - Short, brief stroke
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Reader Worker 1
- Eighth & Sixteenth Notes
Click Count
R L R L
1 e an a 2 e an a 3 e an a 4 e an a
R LR L L R L R LR L L R L
Click Count
44 44
Ex 1 - We will start by playing sixteenth notes as a single
stroke roll on the snare drum.We will play the kick
drum on beats 1 & 3, while the hi-hat foot will play
on 2 & 4.
Ex 2 - Now we will introduce the sixteenth note rest on beats 2 and 4.

The sixteenth note rest is written with two dots.
Ex 3 - Here we will play a bar of eighth notes followed by a bar of sixteenth notes. Remember to count the rhythm as you play.
Click Count
an
an
an
an
44
R
Ex 4 - This is a shorter version of the above exercise.
Click Count
1 an
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
Ex 5 - In this one we will first play sixteenth notes

for 2 beats and then eighth notes for 2 beats.
2 e an a
1 e an a 2 e an a 3 an 4 an
Click Count
44 44
R
L R L R L
Ex 6 - In these last 3 exercsies, we will look at some combinations of eighth and sixteenth notes
together with their equivalent rests. Remember to count the full duration of the rest.
an
2 e an a 3
L R L R
an
an
1 e an a 2 e an a 3
an
R L R L R L R L
e an a
44
Click Count
L R L
Ex 7
1 e an a 2 e an a
an
L R
e an a
an
L R L
an
e an a 4 e an a
44
Click Count
R L R L
L R L R L
Ex 8
an
an
4 e an a
1 e an a 2 e an a 3
R L R L
L R L R L R L R
an
4 e an a
44

Click Count
L R L
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Reader Worker 2
Click Count
R L R L R L R L R L R L
1 e an 2 e an 3 e an 4 e an
R LR L R L R L R L R L
1 an a 2 an a 3 an a 4 an a
Click Count
44 44
Ex 1 - In this first combination of eighth and sixteenth notes we will
play two sixteenth notes followed by one eighth note. The fourth
sixteenth note (the 'a') of each quarter note beat is omitted.
Ex 2 - This example is the reverse of the first exercise. Here we start

with an eighth note followed by two sixteenth notes. The second
sixteenth note (the 'e') of each quarter note beat is omitted.
Ex 3 - Here we will play both variations, one after the other.
1 e an
Click Count
2 e an
3 e an
4 e an
an a 2
an a 3
an a 4
an a
44
R L R
L R L
R L R
Ex 4 - A short example using the sixteenth note variation of exercise 1.
Click Count
L R L
L R L
R L R
L R L
R L
Ex 5 - A short example using the sixteenth note variation of exercise 2.
an 2 e an 3 an 4 e an
1 an a 2 an a 3 an 4
Click Count
an
44 44
R L
R L R L
R L R L
L R L
R L R L R
Ex 6 - The following 3 exercises combine eighth and sixteenth note variations with rests.
Remember to count for the full duration of the rests.
an
2 e an a 3
an
4 e an
an a 2 e an a 3 e an
4 e an a
R L R L
R L R
R L R L R L R L R
R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 7
1 e an a 2 e an
an
4 e an a
R L R L R L R
R L R L
an
2 e an
an a 4 e an a
R L R
R L R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 8
an
an
an
4 e an
an a 2 e an a 3
R L R
R L
an
4 e an a
R L R L
44

Click Count
L R L
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Reader Worker 3
Click Count
R L R L R L R L
1 e a 2 e a 3 e
R L R L
a 4 e a
R
1
Click Count
L R
a 2
L R
a 3
L R
a 4
L
a
44 44
Ex 1 - Here we have a sixteenth note followed by an eighth note followed
by a sixteenth note. The 'an' of each quarter note beat is omitted.
Ex 2 - We start this one with a dotted eighth note followed

by a sixteenth note. This is a straight shuffle rhythm.
The 'e' and 'an' of each quarter note beat is omitted.
Ex 3 - Here is the two bar rhythm combination exercise.
1 e
Click Count
2 e
a 3 e
a 4
44
R L
R L R
L R L
Ex 4 - A one bar exercise using the first variation.
Click Count
R L R
L R
L R
L R
Ex 5 - A one bar exercise using the second variation.
1 an 2 e
a 3 an 4 e
Click Count
a 2
a 3 an
4 an
44 44
R L
R L
R L
R L R
L R
L R
L R
Ex 6 - The following three exercises are combinations of eighth and sixteenth note variations, together with rests.
2 e an a 3
L R L R L
an
4 e
an a 2 e
a 3 e an
4 e an a
R L
R L R L
L R L R
R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 7
1 e
2 e an
a 4 e an a
R L
L R L R
L R L R L
an
2 e an
an a 4
R L R
R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 8
a 2
an
an
4 e
an a 2
e an a 3
a 4
e an a
R L
R L
L R L R
L R L R L
44

Click Count
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Reader Worker 4
Click Count
L L L
1 e a 2 e
L L L
L
a 3 e a 4 e
L
a
L R
L R
L R
L R
Click Count
44 44
Ex 1 - In this variation we will play the 'e' and 'a' of each quarter note beat.
Ex 2 - Next up is the 'e' and 'an' of each quarter note beat.
Ex 3 - Now we will play them together in a two bar sequence.
a 2
a 3 e
a 4 e
e an
e an
e an
e an
Click Count
44
L
L R
L R
L R
L R
Ex 5 - A one bar exercise using the second variation.
Click Count
1 an 2 e a 3 an 4 e
1 e an 2 e an 3 an 4 an
Click Count
44 44
R L
L R
L R
L R R
Ex 6 - The following exercises are combinations of eighth and sixteenth notes, together with rests.
a 2 e an
an
an a 2
a 3 e an
R L
L R L R
e an
44
Click Count
L R
L R
Ex 7
2 e an
4 e an a
L R
L R L R L
a 2
an
an
e an
an a 4
L R
R L
44
Click Count
Ex 8
an
4 e
an a 2
R L
L R
a 4
e an
L R
44

Click Count
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Reader Worker 5
Click Count
R L
1 e
R L
2 e
R L
3 e
R L
4 e
R L
an a 2
Click Count
R L
an a 3
R L
an a 4
R L
an a
44 44
Ex 2 - Next up we have the 'an' and 'a' of each quarter note beat.
Ex 1 - Here we will play the first two sixteenth

notes of each quarter note beat.
Ex 3 - Now let us play them together in a two bar sequence.
1 e
Click Count
an a 2
an a 3
an a 4
an a
44
R L
R L
Click Count
1 an
R L
R L
R L
R L
R L
Ex 5 - A one bar exericse using the second variation.
2 e
3 an
4 e
Click Count
an a 2 an a 3 an 4
an
44 44
R L
R L
R L
R L
R L R
L R
The following three exercises are combinations of eighth and sixteenth notes, along with rests.
Ex 6
a 2
an
an a 2
an a 3 e an
R L
R L R L R
an
e an
44
Click Count
L R L
L R
Ex 7
1 e
e an
a 4
an a
L R
R L
an
an
R L
e an
an a 4
an a
L R
R L
R L
44
Click Count
R L
Ex 8
a 2
an a 2 e
a 3
a 4 e an
R L R L
L R
44

Click Count
L R
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Rudiment Worker 1
- Flams, Drags & Ruffs
The first stroke we will look at is the Flam Stroke. This stroke consists of
a grace note followed by a principal note. The grace note is played just
before the principle note. The grace note should be quieter in volume than
the main note. It is a good idea to keep the stick that plays the grace note
close to the drum head, while the stick that plays the principal note, higher.
Ex 1
Click Count
1
2
The Drag Stroke is two grace notes played before a principal note.
Again, the grace notes should be quieter in volume than the main note.
The Flam Stroke
Ex 2
The Drag Stroke
Click Count
44 44
LR
LR
RL
RL
LLR
RRL
LLR
RR L
an
an
Next we have the Four Stroke Ruff. In the example below, this is played with three grace notes followed
by a principal note. It sounds a bit like playing three sixteenth note triplets followed by an eighth note.
Ex 3
The Ruff Stroke
Click Count
44
an
an
LRL R
RLR L
LRLR
RLR L
Here we have the Flam Tap stroke. This is a flam stroke followed by a tap Stroke.
It is like a double stroke roll with a flam played on the first note of each double stroke.
Ex 4
Click Count
44
The Flam Tap Stroke
L R
an
R L
an
LR
an
an
R L
This one is called the "Drag and Stroke". With this we have two grace notes followed by two taps. The two taps form a double stroke roll.
Ex 5
Click Count
44
The Drag & Stroke
Here is the Flam Paradiddle. This is a single

paradiddle with a flam on the first stroke.
RR L
The Flam Paradiddle Stroke
1 an
an
an
an
LL R
RR L
This is the Drag Paradiddle. Here we

have a drag played on the first stroke.
Ex 7
Click Count
44
LL R
Ex 6
an
2 an
3 an 4 an
Click Count
The Drag Paradiddle Stroke
1 an 2 an
3 an 4 an
44
L R L
Copyright Drum Learn 2009 All Rights Reserved
R R L
R L
LL R L R R RR L R L L
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Rudiment Worker 2
- Double Stroke Rolls
Here we will look at quite a few of the Double Stroke Rolls. In this ebook, I have arranged them in simple note formats for ease of reading.
In the next eBook, we will look at some thiry-second note roll formats using shorthand transciptions. Practice each of the Stroke Rolls
starting with both the right and left hands.
Ex 1
The 5 Stroke Roll
Ex 2
The 5 Stroke Roll
44 44
Click Count
1
2
3
Click Count
R R L L R
L L R R L
Ex 3
L L R R L
RR L L R
R
L
The 6 Stroke Roll
Ex 4
L L R R L
R R L L R
R R L L
L L R R
The 6 Stroke Roll
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
R R L L R L
L L R R L R
Ex 5
R R L L R L
L L R R L R
R
L
The 7 Stroke Roll
Ex 6
L R R LL R L
R L L RR L R
R R L L
L L R R
The 7 Stroke Roll
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
R R L L RR L R R L L RR L
L L R R L L R L L R R L LR
Ex 7
R
L
L LR R L L R L L R R L L
RR L L R R L R RL L R R
The 8 Stroke Roll
44
Click Count
R R L L
L L R R
Ex 8
R R L
L L R
R
L
L L
R R
R R L L R
L L R R L
L
R
The 9 Stroke Roll
44
Click Count
R
L
R
L
L
R
L
R
R R L L
L L R R
R
L
R R L L R R L L R
L L R R L L R R L
10
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Rudiment Worker 3
- Double Stroke Rolls
We will now look at some of the longer Stroke Rolls, starting with the 11 Stroke, moving through to the 17 Stroke Roll.
Ex 9
The 11 Stroke Roll
Ex 10
The 13 Stroke Roll
44 44
Click Count
1
2
3
Click Count
R R L L R R L LR R L
L L R R L L R RL L R
Ex 11
R R L L R R L L RR L L R
L L R R L L R R L L RR L
The 15 Stroke Roll
Ex 12
The 17 Stroke Roll
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
RRLL RR LL RR L LRR LL
LL RR LLRR LL RR LL RR
RR LLRR LL RR LL RR L
LL RRLL RR LL RR LL R
R
L
Through the next six exercises we will have a look at combining some of the shorter rolls.
Ex 13
The 5 & 6 Stroke Rolls
Ex 14
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
R R L L R
L L R R L
Ex 15
R R L L R
L L R R L
L
R
R
L
L L R R L L R L L R R L
RR L L R R L R R L L R
Ex 16
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
R R L L R R L R R L L R
L L R R L L R L L R R L
Ex 17
L
R
R R L L R R L
L L R R L L R
Ex 18
R R L L R
L L R R L
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
R R L L R R L L R L L R R L
L L R R L L R R L R R L L R
R R L L R R L R L L R R L
L L R R L L R L R R L L R
11
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 1
- Sixteenth Notes & Rests
Ex 1 - We will start by paying a bar of sixteenth notes in a single stroke roll format.
To emphasize the quarter note beat we will alternate the kick and hi-hat foot.
Click Count
Ex 2 - Around the kit with four notes on each drum.
Click Count
44 44
R L R L
R L R L
Ex 3 - We will play this first sixteenth note hi-hat pattern with

the right hand, only. We will play the kick drum on beats
1 and 3 and the snare on beats 2 and 4.
Click Count
44
Ex 4 - Next we will try playing sixteenth notes as single strokes on the

hi-hat. The snare drum stroke is played with the right hand.
R R R R
1
44
Click Count
R L R L RL RL
1
Ex 5 - Here we will combine the sixteenth note rhythm with a fill-in.
R R R R
R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 6 - In this exercise we will change the fill-in by placing tom notes on beats 2, 3 and 4.
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 7 - Here we will combine sixteenth notes with sixteenth rests.

We will rest on beats 2 and 4. Count out loud as you play.
Ex 8 - Another example with sixteenth rests.
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 9 - To finish, we will play the sixteenth note rhythm along with a sixteenth note fill-in with rests.
R L R L R L R L
R L R L
L R L
44
Click Count
12
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 2
- Eighth & Sixteenth Notes 1
Ex 1 - Here we are playing two sixteenth notes followed by an eighth note.
The 'a' is the omitted sixteenth note.
Click Count
Ex 2 - Rhythm played around the kit.

Click Count
44 44
Ex 4 - Hi-hat rhythm played as single strokes. The right
hand plays the snare drum on beats 2 and 4.
Ex 3 - Rhythm played on the hi-hat with the right hand.

The kick is played on beats 1 and 3, while the
snare is played on beats 2 and 4.
RR R
1
R R R
R L R R L R
1
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5 - Combining the rhythm with a fill-in.
R R R
R R R
R L R
L R L
R L R
L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 6 - Combining the rhythm played as single strokes with a tom variation fill-in.
R L R
R L R
R L R
R L R
R L R
R L R
44
Click Count
Ex 7 - Here is a reading example which mixes

sixteenth notes with eighth notes.
Click Count
1 e an a 2 e an 3 e an a 4 e an
Ex 8 - A second variation.
Click Count
1 e an a 2 e an 3 e an 4 e an
44 44
Ex 9 - To finish, we have the rhythm played on the hi-hat as single strokes.
We will combine this with exercise 7 played around the kit.
R L R L R L R
R L R L R L R
44
Click Count
13
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 3
Ex 2 - Around the kit.
Ex 1 - Here we have an eighth note followed by 2 sixteenth notes.

The 'e' is the omitted sixteenth note.
Click Count
1 an a 2 an a 3
an a 4 an a
- Eighth & Sixteenth Notes 2

R R L R
RL R
R LR
RL
Click Count
44 44
Ex 3 - Here is the rhythm played on the hi-hat with the right hand.
Kick drum is played on beats 1 and 3, while the snare keeps
the backbeat on beats 2 and 4.
R RR R
Ex 4 - Hi-hat rhythm is now played with both hands.

The right hand plays the snare drum on beats
2 and 4.
RR
RL R RL
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5 - Combining the rhythm with a fill-in played around the kit.
R R R
R R
R L R
R L R
R L R
R L
44
Click Count
Ex 6 - Here is the rhythm played with both hands on the hi-hat followed by a fill-in variation.
R L R
R L
R L R
R L R
R L R
R L
44
Click Count
Ex 7 - Reading exercise with sixteenth notes and eighth notes.
Click Count
1 e an a 2 an a 3 e an a 4 an a
Ex 8 - A further reading exercise.
Click Count
1 e an a 2 an a 3
an a 4
an a
44 44
Ex 9 - To finish, we have the rhythm played with both hands on the hi-hat followed by exercise 7 played around the kit.
R L R L
R L R L R L R
R L
44
Click Count
14
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 4
1
- Snare Variations 1 & 2
Ex 1 - To start this beat coordination section we have a straight eighth note

pattern. The offbeat snare is played on the 'e' of beats 1 and 3.
1 e an 2 an 3 e an 4 an
Click Count
Ex 2 - Offbeat eighth notes.
Ex 3 - Two sixteenth notes followed by an eighth note.
Ex 4 - An eighth note followed by two sixteenth notes.
44 44
1 e an 2
an 3 e an 4
an
Click Count
R R R RR R
R LR R R R R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5 - A bar of sixteenth notes played with the right hand.
Ex 6 - Sixteenth notes played as single strokes.
R RR R RR RR
Click Count
44
2
R LR L R L RL
44
Click Count
Ex 1 - In this second coordination exercise the offbeat

snare is played on the 'a' of beats 2 and 4.
Ex 2 - Offbeat eighth notes.
44 44
R
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 3 - Two sixteenth notes followed by an eighth note.
Ex 2 - An eighth note followed by two sixteenth notes.
1 e an 2 e an a 3 e an 4 e an a
R R R R R R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5 - A bar of sixteenth notes.
Ex 6 - Sixteenth notes played as single strokes.
R L R L RL R L
RR RR R RRR
Click Count
44
44
Click Count

15
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 5
3
- Snare Variations 3 & 4

Ex 1
Here we have a double offbeat snare on

the 'a' of beat 2 and the 'e' offbeat 3.
1 an 2 an a 3 e an 4 an
Click Count
Ex 2
44 44
1
an 2
an a 3 e an 4
an
Click Count
Ex 4
Ex 3
RR R
RR R
R R R R R R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
RR RR R RRR
Click Count
44
4
R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 2
Ex 1
44 44
1
1 an 2 an a 3 e an 4 an a
Click Count
an 2
an a 3 e an
an a
Click Count
Ex 3
Ex 4
1 e an 2 e an a 3 e an 4 e an a
R RR R R R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
R RR R RR RR
Click Count
44
R L R L RL R L
44
Click Count

16
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 6
1
- Kick Variations 1 & 2

Ex 1 Here is an offbeat kick on the 'a' of beat 1 and the 'a' of beat 3.
Ex 2
44 44
1 an a 2 an 3 an a 4 an
Click Count
an a 2
an 3
an a 4
an
Click Count
Ex 4
Ex 3
R R R
1
RR R
R RR R RR
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
R L R L RL R L
R RR R RR R R
Click Count
44
2
44
Click Count
Ex 1 With this one we will play an offbeat kick on the 'e' of beat 2 and 4.
Ex 2
44 44
1 an 2 e an 3 an 4 e an
Click Count
an 2 e an 3
an 4 e an
Click Count
Ex 3
Ex 4
RRR
R R R R
RR R
R R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 6
Ex 5
RR RR R RR R
Click Count
44
R LR L R L RL
44
Click Count

17
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 7
3
Ex 1 Now we have two offbeat kick beats on the 'a' of 1 and 3

and the 'e' of 2 and 4.
1 an a 2 e an 3 an a 4 e an
Click Count
- Kick Variations 3 & 4
Ex 2
44 44
Ex 3
an a 2 e an 3
an a 4 e an
Click Count
Ex 4
RR R
1
RRR
R R R R
R R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
R R RR RR R R
Click Count
44
4
R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 1 With this one we are playing all the offbeat sixteenth notes on the
kick drum. These are the notes that are played inbetween the eighth
note pattern on the hi-hat. This is a good exercise for the development
of kick drum technique.
Click Count
Ex 2
Ex 3
Ex 4
RR R
44
Click Count
RR R
44
Click Count
Ex 5

44 44
Click Count
RR R
RR
Ex 6
RR R RR R RR
Click Count
44
R LR L R L R L
44
Click Count

18
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 8
1
- Kick & Snare Variations 1 & 2

Ex 1 Now we have an alternating off-beat kick
and snare on the 'a' of each beat.
Click Count
Ex 2
44 44
1
an a 2
an a 3
an a 4
an a
Click Count
Ex 4
Ex 3
R R R
1
R RR R RR
RR R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
RR RR RR R R
Click Count
44
2
R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 1 This time we will move the alternating offbeat

kick and snare to the 'e' of each quarter beat.
Ex 2

44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 3
Ex 4
R R R
Click Count
44
RR R
44
Click Count
Ex 5
RR R
R R
Ex 6
RR RR R RR R
Click Count
44
R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count

19
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 9
1
Ex 1 With this one we will play two sixteenth notes

with the kick on the 'an a' of beats 1 and 3.
1 an a 2 an 3 an a 4 an
Click Count
- Double Kick Variations 1 & 2

Ex 2
44 44
1
an a 2
an 3
an a 4
an
Click Count
Ex 4
Ex 3
R R R
1
R R R
RRR
RR
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
R R R R
Click Count
44
2
R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 1 Here we will play a double kick on the 'an a' of each

quarter note beat. This is another exercise for developing
technique with double strokes on the kick drum.
Ex 2
44 44
Click Count
an a 2 an a 3
an a 4
an a
Click Count
Ex 3
Ex 4
R R R
R R R
R RR R R R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
RR RR R RR R
Click Count
44
R LR L R L R L
44
Click Count

20
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 10
1
Ex 1
Here we have a double snare stroke on the 'an a' of beat 2.
- Double Snare Variations 1 & 2
Ex 2
44 44
1
1 an 2 an a 3 an 4 an
Click Count
an 2
an a 3
an 4
an
Click Count
Ex 3
Ex 4
RR R
1
RR R
R RR R RR
44 44
Click Count
Ex 5
Click Count
Ex 6
RRR R
Click Count
44
2
R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count
With this next set of exercises, the double

snare stroke is played on the '2 e' of beat 2.
Ex 1
Ex 2
44 44
1 an 2 e an a 3 an 4 an
Click Count
an 2 e an a 3
an 4
an
Click Count
Ex 3
Ex 4
R R R RR R
RR R
RR
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
RRR R
Click Count
44
R LR L R L RL
44
Click Count

21
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 11
3
Ex 1
The double snare is played on the 'a' of beat 1 and on beat 2.
- Double Snare Variations 3 & 4
Ex 2
44 44
1 an a 2 an a 3 e an 4 an
Click Count
an a 2
an a 3 e an 4
an
Click Count
Ex 4
Ex 3
R R R
RR R
RR R RR
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
RR R R
Click Count
44
4
Ex 1
R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count
Now we have two double strokes on the snare drum. The first one
is in the same place as the above exercise; the second is played on
the 'an a' of beat 2.
Ex 2
44 44
1 an a 2 an a 3 an 4 an
Click Count
an a 2
an a 3
an 4
an
Click Count
Ex 3
Ex 4
R R R
RR R
RR R RR
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
R RR R RRR R
Click Count
44
R L R L RL R L
44
Click Count

22
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 12
1
- Kick & Snare Mix 1 & 2

Ex 2
Ex 1
44 44
1
1 an a 2 an a 3 e an a 4 an
Click Count
an a 2
an a 3 e an a 4
an
Click Count
Ex 4
Ex 3
R R R
RR R
RRR
RR
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
R R R R
Click Count
44
2
R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count
Ex 2
Ex 1
44 44
1 an a 2 e an a 3 e an 4 an
Click Count
an a 2 e an a 3 e an 4
an
Click Count
Ex 3
Ex 4
RR R
RR R
RR R
RR
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
RR R R RRR R
Click Count
44
R L R L R L R L
44
Click Count

23
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 13
3
- Kick & Snare Mix 3 & 4

Ex 1
Ex 2
44 44
1 an a 2 an 3 e an 4 an
Click Count
an a 2
an 3 e an 4
RR R RR
an
Click Count
Ex 4
Ex 3
R R R
1
RR R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
R R R R
Click Count
44
4
R L R L RL RL
44
Click Count
Ex 1
Ex 2
44 44
1 an a 2 e an a 3 e an 4 an
Click Count
an a 2 e an a 3 e an 4
an
Click Count
Ex 3
Ex 4
R R R
RR R
RR R
R R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5
Ex 6
R R RR RRR R
Click Count
44
R LR L R L RL
44
Click Count

24
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 14
- Triplet hi-hat Variations
Ex 1 - Eighth Note Triplets
1 an a 2 a n a 3 an a 4 an a
3
Ex 2 - The Shuffle
.
Click Count
a 2
44 44
Click Count
a 3
a 4
Ex 4 - Quarter Note Triplets
Ex 3 - The Jazz Ride Beat
a 3
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5 - Eighth Note Triplets (Single Strokes)
Ex 6 - The Shuffle (Single Strokes)
3
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 7 - Quarter Note Triplets (offbeat)
L R
L R
L R
Ex 8 - Eighth Note Triplet Variation
R R
R R
R R
R R
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 9 - Afro 6/8 Style
Ex 10 - Eighth Note Triplets (Ghost Notes /Single Strokes)
44 44
R
R R
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 11 - Half-Time feel (Double Paradiddle)
Ex 12 - Afro 6/8 Variation
44 44
R L R L R R L R L R L R
R L R L R R L R L R L L
3
Click Count
Click Count
25
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 15
Ex 1 - Offbeat kick on the 'a' of 1 and 3.
- Kick Variation 1
Ex 2 - The Shuffle
3
a 2
Click Count
44 44
Click Count
a 3
a 4
a 3
44
44
Click Count
Click Count
3
44 44
Click Count
L R
Click Count
L R
L R
R R
R R
R R
R R
44
44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 10 - Eighth Note Triplet Single Strokes with Ghost Notes
44
Click Count
R R

44

Click Count
44
3
Click Count
3
Click Count
26
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 16
Ex 1 - An extra kick note is placed on
the 'a' of beat 2.
3
3
3
3
Click Count
- Kick Variation 2
Ex 2 - The Shuffle
a 2
44 44
Click Count
a 3
a 4
a 3
44
Click Count
44
Click Count
3
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
L R
L R
L R
44
Click Count
R R
R R
R R
R R
44

Click Count
Ex 10 - Eighth Note Triplets (Ghost Notes / Single Strokes)
44
Click Count
R R

44

R
Click Count
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
27
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 17
Ex 1 - An offbeat snare is placed
on the 'a' of beat 2.
- Snare Variation 1
Ex 2 - The Shuffle
3
Click Count
a 2
44 44
Click Count
a 3
a 4
a 3
44
Click Count
44
Click Count
3
L R
44 44
Click Count
L R
Click Count
L R
R R
R R
R R
R R
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
44 44
R
R R
Click Count
Click Count
44 44
3
Click Count
3
Click Count
28
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 18
Ex 1 - An offbeat snare is played
on the 'a' of beat 1.
- Snare Variation 2
Ex 2 - The Shuffle
a 2
a 3
44 44
3
Click Count
a 4
Click Count
a 3
44
Click Count
44

Click Count
3
L R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
L R
L R
R R
R R
R R
R R
44

44
Click Count
Click Count
44 44
R
Click Count
R R
Click Count
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
29
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 19
Ex 1 - An offbeat snare is played
on the 'a' of beat 1 and 3.
- Snare Variation 3
Ex 2 - The Shuffle
3
a 2
Click Count
44 44
Click Count
a 3
a 4
a 3
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
L R
L R
L R
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
Click Count
R R
R R
R R
44

Click Count
R R
44
3
Ex 10 - Eighth Note Triplet (Ghost Notes / Single Strokes)
44 44
R
Click Count
R R
Click Count
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
30
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 20
- Accented Triplets
Ex 1 - Accent quarter note downbeats.
Ex 2 - Accent the second triplet on each beat.
1 an a

44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 4 - Accent every other eighth note triplet,

which is the quarter note triplet feel.
Ex 3 - Accent the third triplet on each quarter beat.
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5 - Accent every other eighth note triplet, starting on the

second eighth note. Again, this is the quarter triplet feel.
Ex 6 - Accent Variation.
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 7 - We will switch to using single strokes on the hi-hat.

This hi-hat accent pattern imitates the shuffle feel.
Ex 8 - Right hand now accents the quarter note triplet pulse.

44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 9 - Now the left hand accents the quarter note triplet

pulse, including the snare backbeats on 2 & 4.
Ex 10 - Here the left hand accents the indie snare drum pattern
on the hi-hat on the 'a' of beat 2 and the 'an' of beat 3.

44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 11 - Here we have a double paradiddle sticking with a

Afro-Cuban style accent pattern on the hi-hat.
Ex 12 - With this last one we will accent the 'an' and 'a' of each
3 note triplet - a work out for both the left and right hands.

44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
31
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 21
Ex 1 - Open hi-hat on downbeats
1 an a
and closed on the 'an' of
3
3
each beat.
o x
o x
Click Count
- Open & Closed hi-hat

3
o x
Ex 2 - Open hi-hat on the 'an' of each

beat and closed on the 'a'
o x
o x
o x
o3 x
o x
44 44
Click Count
Ex 4 - Open hi-hat on every other eighth note triplet,

which is the quarter note triplet feel.
Ex 3 - Open hi-hat on the 'a' of each beat

and closed on every downbeat.
x 3 o x 3 o x 3 o x 3 o
o x o x o x o x o x o x
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5 - Open hi-hat on every other eighth note triplet, starting on

the second eighth note. Again, this is the quarter triplet feel.
3
Ex 6 - Open hi-hat variation.
x o x o x o x o x o x o
o x
o x o
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 7 - Now we will use single strokes on the hi hat. Open hi-hat

on beats1 & 3. Close the hi-hat on the 'an' of beats 1 & 3.
3
3
3
3
o x
o x
Click Count
Ex 8 - Open hi-hat on the first and third triplet of beat 1 and 3. Close
the hi-hat on the 'an' of beat 1 & 2; the 'an' of beat 3 & 4 .
Ex 9 - This one plays the indie style offbeat snare

pattern on the hi-hat with the left hand.
Ex 10 - Now we will try to open the hi-hat for a longer duration.

This time we will open the hi hat on beat 1 and close on
beat 2; open on beat 3 and close on the 'a' of 3.
o x o x
o x o x
44 44
3
x o x
o x o x
Click Count
o 3
x 3
3o
x 3
44 44
Click Count
Ex 11 - Here we have a double paradiddle sticking with

a Afro-Cuban style accent pattern on the hi-hat.
3
3
3
3
o x
o
x
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 12 - With this last one we will accent the 'an' and 'a' of each
3 note triplet; a work out for both the left and right hands.
3
o x
o x
o x
o x
44 44
Click Count
32
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Sticks Worker 22
- Triplets around the Kit
Ex 1 - Right hand plays the hi-hat
while left hand plays the snare.
Ex 2 - We will now play right hand ride cymbal and left

hand hi-hat. Left hand plays the snare on beats 2 & 4.
3
3
3
Click Count
44 44
3
Click Count
Ex 4 - Next with the right hand we will play two notes

on each tom. Left hand plays the hi-hat and snare.
Ex 3 - Here we will move the right hand around the toms,

starting on the 1st tom. The left hand plays the hi-hat
and backbeat on the snare.
44 44
3
Click Count
Ex 5 - This time, with the right hand, we will alternate between

the toms and snare, while the left hand plays the hi-hat
and backbeat on the snare.
Click Count
Ex 6 - Here is an African style beat. The right hand plays a quarter note
triplet pattern between the snare and ride cymbal, while the left
hand plays a quarter note triplet pattern between the hi-hat and snare.
44 44
3
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 7 - Here we will move the left hand around the toms,

while the right hand plays the ride cymbal.
Ex 8 - With this one the left hand swings between the 3rd tom (floor tom),
snare and the hi-hat. Right hand plays the ride cymbal.
44 44
3
Click Count
Ex 9 - This time we will play around the toms with both hands.
The left hand plays a 3 note pattern (snare, 3rd tom, 1st tom),
while the right hand plays a two note pattern alternating
between the 3rd tom and the 2nd tom.
Click Count
Ex 10 - Snare drum is played on every quarter beat with

an offbeat tom on the 'an' of beat 2 & 4.
44 44
Click Count
Ex 11 - Here we will play the double paradiddle

sticking between the 1st and 3rd toms.
Click Count
Ex 12 - Moving up the toms with the right hand with this

last one. Left hand plays the snare and 1st tom.
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
33
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Fill-in Worker 1
- Groove & Fill-ins
Here we will try out some 4 bar phrases utilizing a fill-in on the 4th bar.
Crash Play the crash cymbal on the first bar of the sequence, only.
1st x only
Ex 1
44
Click Count
R L R
R L
L R
Ex 2
44
Click Count

R R L R
R L R L R L R L R L
Ex 3
44
Click Count
R L R
L R L
L R L R L R
Ex 4
44
Click Count
R L R L R L
L R L R L R
Ex 5
44
Click Count
an
4 e an
Ex 6
44
Click Count

F F R
R L
L R L R L R L
34
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Fill-in Worker 2
- Groove & Fill-ins
Ex 1
Crash
1st x only
44
Click Count

R L F F R F R L F F R F
Ex 2
Click Count
44

R L F
R L F
R L F
R L F
R L R L
Ex 3
44
Click Count

R L RR L F
F R F
Ex 4
44
Click Count

R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R
Ex 5
44
Click Count
R R F
LR L R L R
Ex 6
44
Click Count

R F
L F
R L R
35
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Fill-in Worker 3
- Groove & Fill-ins
Ex 1
Some of these fill-ins end with a crash on beat 4 or the 'an' of beat 4.
'B' stands for "both hands."
x
o
44
Click Count
F L R L
L B
Ex 2
44
Click Count
R R L
L L
L R R L R
Ex 3
44

Click Count
R L R F
F F
Ex 4
Crash
1st x only
44
Click Count
R L R L R L R L L R L R
Ex 5
44
Click Count
R F F
Ex 6
44
Click Count

R L
R L R L
L R L R L R
36
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Fill-in Worker 4
- Groove & Fill-ins
Ex 1
Crash
1st x only
Click Count
44
R L RLR L
LR L R L R
Ex 2
44
Click Count
mf
L R F
F F L R
Ex 3
44
Click Count
R L F R L
L R L RL R
mf
Ex 4
44
Click Count

F L
R RL
LR R L L
Ex 5
44
Click Count
mp
mf
RLR L R
L R LR R L
Ex 6
o
Click Count
44

R F
F F
F F
RL R
37
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Fill-in Worker 5
- Groove & Fill-ins
Crash
1st x only
Ex 1
3 o
44
Click Count
R L R L R R L R L R R L
Ex 2
3 o
44
mf
Click Count
R L F R L F R L R F R L
Ex 3
44
Click Count
R L R
R L F
R L F
R R L
Ex 4
44
mp
3
Click Count
R L R L R R L R L R R L
mf
Ex 5
44
Click Count
Ex 6
44
Click Count
R L R
R L R
R L R
38
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Fill-in Worker 6
- Groove & Fill-ins
Crash
1st x only
Ex 1
44
mf
Click Count
R L R L R L
Ex 2
44
Click Count
R F
R F
R F L R L R L
Ex 3
44
Click Count
R L R L R L F R L F R L
Ex 4
3
44
Click Count
R L R F R L R F R L R F
Ex 5
44
Click Count
R F R F R L R F R F R L
Ex 6
3
44
Click Count
ff
R L R F R L R F R F R L
f
39
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Melodic Worker 1
- Sixteenth Notes
Ex 1 - Single strokes between hi-hat and snare.
Ex 2 - Ride cymbal and hi-hat.
44 44
R L R LR L R LR L R L R LR L
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 3 - Right hand plays the 1st tom, 3rd tom

and snare. Left hand plays the snare.
Ex 4 - Single stroke tom sequence.
44 44
R L R L R L R LR L R L R LRL
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5 - Left hand plays the hi-hat while right hand plays the snare and toms.
L R L R L R L
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 7 - Single stroke tom sequence.

44 44
Click Count
Ex 9 - Right hand plays the ride cymbal, while

the left hand plays the hi-hat and snare.
44 44
Click Count
Ex 11 - The snare is accented on beat 1 and 3.

44 44
L R L R L R L

R L R R LR L LR L R R LR L L
R L L R L R R L R LL R LR RL
Ex 12 - Both the left and right hand play the accented snare notes.
RR L R L L R L RR L R LL R L
Click Count
L R L R L R L
Ex 10 - Right hand plays the tom rhythm

while the left plays hi-hat and snare.
R L LR L R R LR L L R L RR L
Click Count
Ex 8 - A Paradiddle tom sequence.
R L R L R L R LR L R L R LR L
Click Count
R L R LR L R L R LR L R L RL
Ex 6 - I picked this one up from the great Steve Gadd. The right hand plays
both offbeats on the ride cymbal and backbeats on the snare.
44 44
L R L R L R L

R L R L RL R LR L R L R L RL
Click Count

R L L R L L R L RL L R L L R L
40
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Melodic Worker 2
Ex 1 - We will start by playing single strokes on the snare
with an accent played on the first beat of each triplet.
1 an a
3
3
3
Click Count
- Snare & Kit Mix with Triplets

Ex 2 - Here is a R L L sticking pattern.
44 44
3
Ex 3 - This time we will start with the double stroke: R R L
Click Count
R L L R L L R L L R L L
Ex 4 - With the right hand we will play a shuffle sticking pattern: R L R
44 44
Click Count
Click Count
R R L R R L R R L R R L
R L R R L R R L R R L R
Ex 6 - Snare drum is played on the accented downbeat notes.
Ex 5 - 3rd and 1st tom are played on the accented downbeat notes.
44 44
Click Count
Ex 7 - We are moving around the kit with this one.

Snare and 3rd tom are played on the triplet
downbeats.
Click Count
Ex 8 - Here the right hand plays a sweeping motion

moving from the toms to the snare.
44 44
Click Count
Ex 9 - The shuffle sticking pattern.
R R L R R L R R L R R L
Click Count
Ex 10 - The R L L sticking pattern.
R L L R L L R L L R L L
R L R R L R R L R R L R
44 44
Click Count
Ex 11 - Double paradiddle sticking patten.
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 12 - Double stroke movement between the 1st and 3rd tom.

You can play this either as single strokes or as double strokes.
R R L L R R L L R R L L
3
Click Count
44 44
41
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 1
- 3/4 Time
Ex 1 - A Waltz feel. The hi-hat foot plays on beats 2 & 3.
Click Count
1
2
Ex 2 - A straight rock feel with the

snare played on beats 2 and 3.
an
an
an
34 34
Click Count
Ex 3 - An eighth note triplet feel.
Ex 4 - A sixteenth note feel with the snare played on beat 2.
1 an a
2 an a 3 an a
1 e an a 2 e an a 3 e an a
34 34
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 6 - A fusion beat with a driving kick and snare rhythm..
Ex 5 - A fusion feel with the snare played on the 'an' of 2.
1 e an
x
2 e an
3 e an
o
1
x
an a 2 e an
3 e an
o
34 34
Click Count
Click Count
In the next 3 exercises we will try out some 4 bar phrases. We have a slight
change in the rhythm on the 3rd bar leading onto the fill-in at bar 4.
Ex 7
Crash
1st x only
34
Click Count
R F R L F L R L F
Ex 8
34
Click Count

R L R L
L R
R L R
Ex 9
34
Click Count
R L R
42
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 2
Ex 1 - Here we have 5 quarter notes to a bar.
A straight quarter note rock feel to start.
Click Count
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
- 5/4 Time
Ex 2 - An eighth note syncopated kick and snare feel.
1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an 5 an
54 54
Click Count
Ex 4 - A sixteenth note feel.
Ex 3 - An eighth note triplet feel.
1
Click Count
54
54
Click Count
Ex 5 - A fusion style beat.
Ex 6 - A fusion style beat with a driving kick and snare rhythm.
o x
o x
Click Count
54
54
Click Count
The next three exericises are 4 bar practice phrases each ending with a fill-in on the 4th bar.
Ex 7
Crash
1st x only
Click Count
54
R R F RLF FLRFRLFL
Ex 8
o x
o x
54
Click Count
RLRL R R
LR RL R
LRL
Ex 9 - With this last exercise, the left hand plays the snare and tom rhythm, while the right hand plays ride cymbal.
54
3
Click Count
R LR LRL RLR LR LR
43
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 3
- 5/8 Time
Ex 1 - Here we have 5 eighth notes to a bar.
Click Count
1
2
3
58
58
4
Ex 2
Click Count
Ex 3 - This one is played with an offbeat sixteeth

note snare between beats 4 and 5.
Ex 4
58 58
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 5 - Sixteenth and eighth note hi-hat pattern.
Ex 6
58
Click Count
58
Ex 7
Click Count
Ex 8
Click Count
58
58
Click Count
Ex 9 - In the next four examples the right hand plays a continous quarter note Ex 10
pattern over the bar line. The result is that you play 5 quarter notes on
the ride cymbal over the 2 bar phrase. Count through the 2 bar exercise
as you play.
Click Count
1 2 3 4
58
58
2 3 4
Click Count
Ex 11
1 2
3 4
Ex 12
58 58
Click Count
3 4
2 3
4 5
Click Count
1 2
3 4 5
2 3

44
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 4
Ex 1 - Here we have 6 eighth notes to a bar. To start,
a quarter note rhythm played on the hi-hat.
Click Count
1 2 3
1
2 3
4
5 6
68
68
Ex 3 - Offbeat sixteenth kick and snare rhythm.
Click Count
68
- 6/8 Time
Ex 2
Click Count
Ex 4
Click Count
68
Below are some examples of Fusion style hi-hat and ride cymbal patterns.
Ex 5
Ex 6
1
x
Click Count
68
2
o
3
x
4
o
5
x
6
o
68
Ex 7
1
o
Click Count
2
x
3
o
4
x
5
o
6
x
Ex 8
Click Count
68
Click Count
68
Ex 9
Ex 10
Click Count
Click Count
68 68
Ex 12
Ex 11
Click Count
Click Count
68 68

45
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 5
Ex 1 - Here we have 7 eighth notes per bar. To start, we have
a rhythm of 3 quarter notes followed by 1 eighth note.
Click Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- 7/8 Time
Ex 2
78 78
Click Count
Ex 3 - Offbeat sixteenth notes on the kick and snare.
Ex 4
78 78
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 6
Ex 5 - Opening the hi-hat on beats 2, 4 and 6.
78 78
Click Count
Click Count
Fusion style hi-hat and ride cymbal rhythms.

Ex 7
Ex 8
78 78
Click Count
Ex 9
Click Count
Ex 10
Click Count
Click Count
78 78
Ex 11
Ex 12
Click Count
Click Count
78 78
46
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 6
Ex 1 - Here we have 9 eighth notes to a bar. To start, we have
a rhythm of 4 quarter notes followed by an eight note.
Click Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- 9/8 Time
Ex 2
98 89
Click Count
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
Ex 4
Ex 3 - Offbeat sixteenth kick and snare patterns.
98 89
o x
Click Count
Click Count
In the following exercises, we have some Fusion style hi-hat

patterns, open hi-hat and syncopated ride cymbal patterns.
Ex 5
Ex 6
2
o
3
x
4 5
o x
6 7 8 9
o x o x
1 2
3 4
o x
7 8
98 89
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 7
Ex 8
98 89
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 9
Ex 10
Click Count
Click Count
1 2
98 89
Ex 11
Ex 12
Click Count
1 2
Click Count
1 2
9
98
8

47
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 7
Ex 1
Click Count
1
2
1 2 3 4
- 15/16 Time
Ex 2
3
5 6
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2
3 4 5 6 123
1516 1516
Click Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 123
Above we have 15 sixteenth notes to a bar. To start, 3 quarter

notes followed by a dotted eighth note played on the hi-hat.
Ex 3 - Offbeat kick and snare patterns.
Ex 4
Click Count
Click Count
1516 1516
In the following exercises we have some Fusion style open
hi-hat patterns and some syncopated ride cymbal patterns.
Ex 5
Ex 6
2
o
3
x
1 2
4 5 6 1 2 3
o x o x
3 4
o x
123
1516 1516
Click Count
Click Count
Ex 7
Ex 8
Click Count
Click Count
1516 1516
Ex 9
Ex 10
Click Count
Click Count
1 2
1 2 3
1 2 3
1516 1516
Ex 12
Ex 11
Click Count
1 2
123
Click Count
1 2
1516 1516
48
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 8
Ex 1 - Here we have 19 sixteenth notes to a bar. To start, we have
4 quarter notes and a dotted quarter played on the hi-hat.
1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an 1 2 3
Click Count
- 19/16 Time
Ex 2
1 an 2 an 3
an 4 an
1 2 3
1916 1916
1 an
2 an 3
an 4 an 1 2 3
Ex 3 - Offbeat kick and snare rhythms.
Ex 4
1916 1916
Click Count
The next set of exercises are examples of Fusion, syncopated hi-hat and ride cymbal rhythms.
Ex 5
Ex 6
o x
o x
1916
1916
Click Count
Ex 7
Ex 8
Click Count
1916 1916
Ex 9
Ex 10
Click Count
1916 1916
Ex 12
Ex 11
Click Count
1916 1916
49
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 9
- Time Mix 1
Ex 1 - Here we have several 2 bar exercises of various odd time signatures

from the previous pages. First up we have 7/8 into 5/8.
1
2
3
4
5
6

78 85
7
Ex 2 - Next is a bar of 5/4 followed by a bar of 5/8. Here we are moving from a quarter note based time signature
to an eighth note based time signature. Try counting through it a few times before actually playing it.
54 85
1
an
an
an
an
an
Ex 3 - Here we have a bar of 6/8 followed by a bar of 7/8.
68 87
Ex 4 - There two are both quarter note based time signatures: 3/4 into 5/4.
an
an
an
an
an
an
an
an
34 45
Ex 5 - Next we have 7/8 into 3/4. If you count all the eighth notes in the 3/4 bar, you don't have
to change the speed of your count. This helps maintain a smooth tempo throughout.
an
an
an
78 43
Ex 6 - To finish we have probably the most difficult one. You can try out both counts in the 15/16 bar to get
a feel for the rhythm. When you play it, I would count one of the slower eighth note based counts.
1
1
1
an
2
an
2
3
4
3 4 5 6 7
3
5
9
an
1 2 3
6
1 2 3
10 11 12 13 14 15
98 1516
1
50
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 10
- Time Mix 2
Ex 1 - Here we will try some 4 bar sequences which end with a fill-in on bar 4.
Again, try counting through the exercises before playing them.
1
2
3
4
5
6 7
1 2 3 4
5
78 85 87 83
1
Ex 2
54 87 45 85
1 2
1 an
1 2
3 4 5
Ex 3
1 an 2 an
68 87 86 42
Ex 4
1 an
an 3
an
an
2 an
an 3
an
an
2 an
an 4
an
5 an
34 42 43 45
Ex 5
an 2
an 3
an
68 85 86 43
Ex 6
1 an
2 an 3
an
98 43
an 2 an 3 an
78 43
51
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 11
Click Count
78
1
3 Bar Phrases in 7/8
Here we have a selection of 3 bar phrases combining7/8 beats with Fill-ins.

Try playing through them at various dynamic levels.
Ex 1
Ex 2
Click Count
78
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
Ex 3
Click Count
78
R L R F R L R F R L R F R L
Ex 4
Click Count
78

R L
R L
R L
R L
R L
Ex 5
Click Count
78
R L L R L L R L L R L R L L
Ex 6
Click Count
78
R F R L F L R F R L F L R
52
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Time Worker 12
3 Bar Phrases in 5/4
The following are 3 bar exercises in 5/4 Time.

Play through them at various dynamic levels.
Ex 1
Click Count
54
1
R L
R L
R L R L
R L
Ex 2
Click Count
54

RL R L R L R L R L R L RL R L R L R L
Ex 3
Click Count
54
o x

R L F L R L F L R L F L R L F L R L R L
Ex 4
Click Count
54

R F F L R L
R L F F R F F L R L
Ex 5
Click Count
54
R L LR L LR L L R LR L R L L RL R
Ex 6
Click Count
54
R LR F
LR L F RL R L L R R L L
53
Smart Sticks Worker
Drum Learn
Closing Remarks
Congratulations for reaching the end of the Smart Sticks Worker.
At this point you have developed coordination with many popular beats. We have used sixteenth
and eighth notes as well as eighth and quarter note triplets. You explored more rudiments,
working on the development of grace notes. You have been introduced to many more musical
symbols including dynamics, various time signatures, dotted notes and tied notes. You also started
to play in short 2, 3 and 4 bar phrases with beats and fill-ins.
The Dots Reader Expander (Drum eBook No. 3) will guide you yet further in your
drum studies, expanding on many rhythmic themes. We will cover sixteenth note triplets;
thirty-second notes; advanced rudimental exercises; various Tuplet note groupings and
the Drum Chart.
We still have a long way to go yetThe Dots Reader Expander ebook will help you to
develop more technique, speed and reading ability.

Smart Sticks Worker

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