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Drumming For Fanatics The Results Are In! Best Gear Of The Past Year pg.

57

10-Day
The

Plan For
Faster
Hands!
With Mike Johnston

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The 10-Day Plan For
Faster Hands!

By Mike Johnston

Outside the obviously


speed-centric world of extreme
metal, the ability to drum fast
shouldn’t be your top priority.
Which isn’t to say it doesn’t have its
place, even if you never play any-
thing faster than a ballad.
Photograph By Robert Downs

April 2013 DRUM! 41

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The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
For one thing, the faster you can play,
the more control you’ll have across the
“ In my experience as an educa-
whole tempo spectrum. Who wants to tor I have found that hand speed
is not the only issue that holds
sweat it out at the top of their range every
time a rushed chorus fill comes around?
Besides, having that speed reserve will
only increase your confidence for those
drummers back from being able
moments when the wow factor of a super-
sonic tom assault might be just what the
to play their rudiments fast.”
doctor ordered. But most importantly,
practicing for speed the right way will reap motor and memory systems. Below are the Five Focus Rudiments.
benefits in all aspects of your playing. In my experience as an educator I have These are the rudiments that we are going
This workout is based around the found that hand speed is not the only issue to build your speed on over the next ten
concept of muscle memory. Now, we are that holds drummers back from being able days. I have chosen these five rudiments
all aware of the fact that our muscles don’t to play their rudiments fast. The mental for a very specific reason: When I exam-
have brains, so the term “muscle memory” stress of trying to remember the pattern is ine my own playing and the playing of my
is a bit of a misnomer. That being said, we what tends to slow drummers down more idols I find that almost every chop, lick, or
also know that when we repeat a motor skill than anything. By playing at a slower bpm groove can be traced back to one of these
over time, such as throwing a ball or riding for longer periods of time, and focusing on five standard rudiments. Obviously, the
a bike, a long-term memory is created perfect repetitive technique, you will be world of drumming is made of much more
for that task, eventually allowing it to be creating the muscle memory required to than just five rudiments, but trust me, if
performed without conscious effort. This play all your rudiments and sticking combi- you master these you will be well on your
process decreases the need for attention nations at a high bpm while remaining calm way to enjoying some serious freedom and
and creates maximum efficiency within the and relaxed, which is key for good feel. creativity on the kit!

Speed Test
Single Stroke Roll
Before you begin, Day 1
you’ll need a start-
ing reference point for ____ __ bpm
where you’re at with
your speed so you’ll Double Stroke Roll
know exactly how much Day 1
further along you’ll be
ten days from now. Use ____ __ bpm

a metronome to find out


your max bpm on the
Single Paradiddle
Five Focus Rudiments. Day 1
After you have written
down your scores, begin ______ bpm
the Day 1 Workout on the
next page. You can do
Flam Taps
each workout as many Day 1
times per day as you -
like, but I recommend - ____ __ bpm
doing it at least twice — -
-
once in the morning and
-
Paradiddle-diddle
once in the evening. Day 1

______ bpm

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DAY
The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
Welcome to day 1 of your 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands intensive
program. Each workout will begin with you playing our Five Focus Rudi-
ments for one minute each. Remember, muscle memory is the key here
Single Paradiddle - 1 min - 50% of max
1
so slow down and focus on repetitive perfection.

Single Stroke Roll - 1 min - 50% of max Flam Taps - 1 min - 50% of max

-
-
Double Stroke Roll - 1 min - 50% of max Paradiddle-diddle
- - 1 min - 50% of max

Exercise 1 8-4-2-2
TEMPOS
        60% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
                                  70% of max : 2 minu tes ________
 - bpm
80% of max : 1 minu te ________
 -                               bpm
         NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
The 8-4-2-2 exercise is designed to help you build your individual hand speed. During this
                                
 

exercise you want to pay close attention to the difference between your right hand and left
hand. Is 
your right
   hand
 gripping
   tighter
   than
  your
 left? Is 
your
 lefthand
  angled
  differently
   
than
 your right? Use your dominant hand to “teach” your weaker hand.
    
                        

    

        
    2 Paradiddle
         
Exercise Accents

   
              
                     TEMPOS
        
60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                  
  70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
 
                            80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm

The paradiddle
 accent exercise
        
 
 will increase your
 muscle memory.


 By shiftingthe place-
        NOTES (right vs left, sorene ss, attitude)

ment
 of the accents each measure you are forced to really give every note a great deal of
        

 
care. Remember,
  speed
 will
 come  through
  repetition
 and focus,
 so don’t  rush
 through
  this.
                


Focus on perfection.
 
    
 
   
  
   
   
    
 
  
 
   
  

        


            
                 
        
Exercise 3 Flammed Groupings #1

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 TEMPOS
  
                       60% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
70% of max : 2 minu tes ________

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bpm
80% of max : 1 minu te ________
bpm

           

           NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


The Flammed Groupings exercise is designed to help improve your speed on flam taps as
well as improve your ability to memorize long patterns. Symmetry between the hands is key
during this exercise. You really want to listen, and correct for any difference between your
right hand and your left hand.

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DAY

2
The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
All right guys and girls, it’s day two. Please don't lose
Single Paradiddle - 1 min - 60% of max
sight of what we are trying to achieve here. Muscle memory is
the name of the game. Resist the temptation to “max out” and
keep focusing on playing each and every note with purpose.

Single Stroke Roll - 1 min - 60% of max Flam Taps - 1 min - 60% of max

-
Double Stroke Roll - 1 min - 60% of max Paradiddle-diddle
- - 1 min - 60% of max

Exercise 1 Mixed Meter Doubles


TEMPOS

 60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
  -            
70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
-
            80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
   
The mixed meter double-stroke warm-up will help you learn to control each and every note.
                NOTES (right vs left, soreness , attitude)
 

When playing your double strokes at one speed, your hands enter an autopilot mode that is

great foroverall
 speed,
 but
 overall
 control
 can be lost.
 Wewantto make
 sure  that
 your
 doubles

remain
 perfect as you weave in and out of different subdivisions.
     
     
                      


   2  Paradiddle-diddles
 
             
          
Exercise And Singles
            TEMPOS
    60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                   70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
      
The paradiddle


    accent exercise
    


  will increase your
   muscle
 memory.

 By shifting

 the place-
 NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
 

ment of the accents each measure you are forced to really give every note a great deal of

 Remember,
care.   speed will
 come through
  repetition
  and  focus,
 so don’t
 rush
 through
 this.


Focus on perfection.            
           

  
Exercise
   3 Flammed Groupings #2
               
               
      TEMPOS

      60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                        
70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm

This flammed groupings exercise incorporates flam taps as well as groupings of four. The NOTES (right vs left, soreness , attitude)
grouping of four gives you a chance to A/B how your dominant hand feels compared to your
weaker hand. It’s important that you take time during the slower tempos to look down at your
hands and make sure that they are both using the same technique.

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DAY

3
The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
Day three is all about repetition. We will be using two of the exer-
cises from day one and one exercise from day two. Remember, our Single Paradiddle - 1 min - 60% of max
goal is to increase the overall speed of our Five Focus Rudiments, so
do not skip out on the five-minute warm-up. Focus on playing each
individual note as perfectly as possible.
Single Stroke Roll - 1 min - 60% of max Flam Taps - 1 min - 60% of max

-
Double Stroke Roll - 1 min - 60% of max Paradiddle-diddle - 1 min - 60% of max
-

Exercise 1 8-4-2-2
TEMPOS
         60% of max : 2 minu tes ________
 bpm
   -                                70% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
80% of max : 1 minu te ________
 -                          bpm
   
NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
Focal
  Point
 Reminders
              
Right and
 left
 hand
 evenness
            
Use your dominant hand to “teach” the weaker hand

    
                         

  


   2 Paradiddle-diddles
                      
Exercise And Singles

                                  
                      TEMPOS
 
60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                     70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm

Focal NOTES (right vs left, sorene ss, attitude)
  Point
  Reminders
 


                    
 fortherhythm
Listen   oftheaccents
                    
Sing along internally to the accent rhythm
                                  
      

               
                
 
 
 
 
Exercise

3

Flammed
   
Groupings
   
#1 
               

   TEMPOS
                      
60% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
                70% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
80% of max : 1 minu te ________
 bpm
           

          
NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
               

Focal Point Reminders


Use the four-note grouping to A/B your dominant and weaker hands
Watch your hands to ensure consistency of technique

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DAY

4
The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
Day Four brings you three brand-new exercises. We have also
bumped up the speed of the rudiment warm-up to 70 percent of Single Paradiddle - 1 min - 70% of max
max. Remember, the focus of this workout is muscle memory so
don’t push yourself. Play at a tempo that you can easily handle
and allow your brain and muscles to memorize the rudiment.

Single Stroke Roll - 1 min - 70% of max Flam Taps - 1 min - 70% of max

Double Stroke Roll - 1 min - 70% of max Paradiddle-diddle - 1 min - 70% of max
-

Exercise 1 Dynamic Doubles


TEMPOS
  -        60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
 70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
   -                               
80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
                       
       NOTES (right vs left, soreness , attitude)
The dynamic doubles exercise focuses on accenting the doubles on the right for one
                                
 

measure followed by accenting the doubles on the left for one measure.
                          
   

   
   
   
      
   
        
                        
Exercise
 2 Paradiddle-diddles
 AndParadiddles

            
                        TEMPOS
       60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
 
                                  70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
                          
   
This is a great two-bar exercise that will help you master flowing in and out of paradiddle- NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
   
    
             
diddles and paradiddles. Meaure one is right-hand lead and then it switches to left-hand lead
    

for the second
  measure.
   
              
                       

     
Exercise
    3
  Accented
       Singles
                     
                           TEMPOS
    60% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
 
                  70% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
80% of max : 1 minu te ________
                bpm

The accented singles exercise is simple yet extremely effective. If you want to get faster
NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
at single strokes you are just going to have to practice them. The accents will break up the
boredom and give you something to focus on. Try to make a huge dynamic difference be-
tween your accented notes and your non-accented notes.

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DAY

5
The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
Congrats! It’s day five and you’re still going strong. It would
be easy to give up now but this is the most crucial point in the Single Paradiddle - 1 min - 70% of max
workout. This is where the muscle memory will start to take
hold and your hands will begin to do the exercises without you
even thinking about it. Let’s get warmed up.

Single Stroke Roll - 1 min -70% of max Flam Taps - 1 min - 70% of max

-
Double Stroke Roll - 1 min - 70% of max Paradiddle-diddle - 1 min - 70% of max
-

Exercise 1 Flammed Groupings #1




    TEMPOS
   -                    
60% of ma x: 2 minute s ____
____ bpm
                70% of ma x: 2 minute s ____
-                ____ bpm
80% of ma x: 1 minute ____
 ____ bpm
           

          
NOTES (right vs left, sorenes s, attit
ude
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


        
Focal
  Point
    Reminders
  
              
          
 and
Right 

left hand
  
evenness
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Work onmemorization

   of patterns
           
            
                     
  
Exercise 2 8-4-2-2
    

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

          
TEMPOS
        
60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                                 


70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
 80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
   
                         


Focal NOTES (right vs left, soreness , attitude)
  Point
  Reminders
            
     

Right
 and
 left
 hand                   
 evenness 
Use your dominant hand to “teach” the weaker hand
               

       
                                
Exercise
  3 Mixed Meter Doubles

                    TEMPOS
 60% of ma x: 2 minute s ____
____ bpm
               70% of ma x: 2 minute s ____
____ bpm
80% of ma x: 1 minute ____
            ____ bpm

NOTES (right vs left, sorenes s, attit


Focal Point Reminders ude
)

Pay attention to controlling every note


Crisp, even double strokes

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DAY

6
The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
Now it’s time to start pushing yourself a bit. Our five-minute warm-
up is being bumped up to 80 percent of your max for the next two
Single Paradiddle - 1 min - 80% of max
days. Be sure to stay as relaxed as possible while playing the rudi-
ments. Your workout for today incorporates two exercises from pre-
vious workouts and one new exercise, the paradiddle flam tap combo.

Single Stroke Roll - 1 min - 80% of max Flam Taps - 1 min - 80% of max

Double Stroke Roll - 1 min - 80% of max Paradiddle-diddle


- - 1 min -80% of max

Exercise 1 Paradiddle-diddles And Paradiddles


TEMPOS

      60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
-
                                 
 70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
- 80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
                          
      
Focal
 Point Reminders
    

    

  

  

  

  NOTES (right vs left, soreness , attitude)
 
 
Concentrate
  on flowing
 intoand out
 ofthe two
 patterns
       
Consistency with each hand leading
      
  
 
         
           


     
      
          
                     
Exercise 2 Paradiddle Flam Tap Combo
 
                           TEMPOS
       60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
     
                      70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
 
 
80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
               
       NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
This is an
 old-fashioned two-for-one.
 You canmaximize

your practice

 time by

 combining

                   
  
rudiments into one exercise. Be sure that the sixteenth-note subdivision stays steady
two

  
and consistent
 throughout
  the entire  exercise.                 
         

                          
      
Exercise 3 Flammed Groupings #2
     
 
                       
TEMPOS
               
       60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
 


  

    

  

  

  

  70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
 
 
80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
               
NOTES (right vs left, soreness , attitude)
Focal Point Reminders
Use the four-note grouping to A/B your dominant and weaker hands
Watch your hands to ensure consistency of technique

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DAY

7
The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
You have dedicated yourself to building your hand speed
for an entire week now, and that is definitely something
to be proud of. Okay, now back to work. Our rudimental Single Paradiddle - 1 min - 80% of max
warm-up will stay at 80 percent of your max for today. We
will do two exercises from previous workouts as well as a
new one, the sextuplet changeup.

Single Stroke Roll - 1 min -80% of max Flam Taps - 1 min - 80% of max

Double Stroke Roll - 1 min - 80% of max Paradiddle-diddle


-
- 1 min - 80% of max

Exercise 1 Paradiddle Accents


TEMPOS
-        60% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
 
 -                                 70% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
80% of max : 1 minu te ________
                            bpm
       
NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
FocalPoint
  Reminders
                     
 

Pay careful
  attention
  toeach  note
                
Make
 shifting accents consistent
 
                  
        
  
 
                        
    
Exercise
  2 The Sextuplet Changeup
                            TEMPOS
60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
        

 
                          70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
                       
   
So far, all our paradiddle exercises have been phrased as sixteenth-notes. This exercise NOTES (right vs left, sorene ss, attitude)
                      

puts the rudiment back into its natural subdivision. It also forces you to maintain focus as it

                                  
slips onebeatworth
 of alternating
  strokes
 inon the
 downbeat
  of3.    
                           
       

   3 Accented
Exercise
                     
Singles
                        TEMPOS
    60% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
 
                  70% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
80% of max : 1 minu te ________
                bpm

NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)


Focal Point Reminders

Work toward a huge dynamic difference between accented and non-accented notes

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DAY

8
The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
By now the muscle memory has fully set in and we can start work-
ing on breaking down your physical barriers. We will be doing our Single Paradiddle - 1 min - 90% of max
rudiment warm-up at 90 percent of your max. The workout has also
been bumped up by 10 percent per set to force your muscles to work
harder during the home stretch.

Single Stroke Roll - 1 min - 90% of max Flam Taps - 1 min - 90% of max

Double Stroke Roll - 1 min - 90% of max Paradiddle-diddle


- - 1 min -90% of max

Exercise 1 18-4-2-2
TEMPOS

        60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
-
                                 
 70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
- 80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
                   
       
FocalPoint
   Reminders
                             NOTES (right vs left, soreness , attitude)
 

Right and
 left
 hand
 evenness
                   
Use your dominant hand to “teach” the weaker hand
      
     
       
         
    
       

   2 Dynamic
                     
Exercise Doubles

                    TEMPOS
        60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                                 70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
 

80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
                       
       NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
Focal
  Point
  Reminders
         
           


        




Consistency
 between
 
   the
 opposing
   hands’
  accents
  
  
          
                   
   
    
Exercise
    3 Flammed
       Groupings
       #2
              
TEMPOS
                       
       60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm


    

    

  

  

  

  70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
 
 
80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
               
NOTES (right vs left, soreness , attitude)
Focal Point Reminders
Use the four-note grouping to A/B your dominant and weaker hands
Watch your hands to ensure consistency of technique

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DAY

9
The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands
Day nine is the last time we will run through our workout
before you test yourself on day ten. That means you need to
Single Paradiddle - 1 min - 90% of max
put in maximum effort today. Maintain a sharp focus during
every exercise including the warm up. I know this sounds
cheesy, but care about every single note you play today!

Single Stroke Roll - 1 min -90% of max Flam Taps - 1 min - 90% of max
-

Double Stroke Roll - 1 min - 90% of max Paradiddle-diddle


-
- 1 min - 90% of max

Exercise 1 Paradiddle Flam Tap Combo


TEMPOS
-      60% of max : 2 minu tes ________
     bpm
                      70% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
- 80% of max : 1 minu te ________
                bpm
   
Focal Point Reminders NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)
                  
Maximize
 practice
  time
 with tworudiments
 in one exercise
      
Listen for consistent sixteenth-note subdivision throughout
   
                   

  

                      
Exercise 2 Paradiddle-diddles And Singles

               
    TEMPOS
60% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                  
70% of max: 2 minutes ________ bpm
                80% of max: 1 minute ________ bpm
   
Focal   
  Point Reminders
               NOTES (right vs left, sorene ss, attitude)
      
  


Listen for the

  rhythm

  of
 the
accents
   
   
   
       
Sing along internally to the accent rhythm
               

  
               
Exercise
  3 Accented Singles
 
                TEMPOS
    60% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
 
                  70% of max : 2 minu tes ________
bpm
80% of max : 1 minu te ________
                bpm

NOTES (right vs left, soreness, attitude)


Focal Point Reminders

Work toward a huge dynamic difference between accented and non-accented notes

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DAY

10 The 10-Day Plan For Faster Hands


Congratulations! You just completed an
intense 10-day workout that will change the way
Need some extra motivation?
you approach drumming for the rest of your life,
and no, that’s not hyperbole. You now know how Check out DRUMmagazine.com
important muscle memory is, and how it can
for videos of Mike Johnston
make complicated patterns seem easy over time.
Next time you want to work out an ostinato with demonstrating this entire 10-day
your feet, remember this workout. Instead of
workout. He’ll also show you how
trying to “max out” right away, take it slow and
focus on repetition. Allow your body to perform to apply your new speed skills after
the pattern over and over for long periods of time
you’ve completed the program.
at slower tempos. Then when you try to impro-
vise over the top of it you won’t have to figure
out how every stroke with your hands fits with
your feet. Your feet will be on autopilot, playing
the ostinato without you having to focus on it
at all, and your hands will be free to play all the
amazing ideas floating through your brain every
time your car blinker gets switched on.

Speed Test: Final Exam


Single Stroke Roll
Day 1 Day 10

______ bpm ____ __ bpm

Double Stroke Roll


Day 1 Day 10

______ bpm ____ __ bpm

Single Paradiddle
Day 1 Day 10

____ __ bpm ______ bpm

-
Flam Taps
-
Day 1 Day 10

-
______ bpm ____ __ bpm
Photograph: Sasha Leahovcenco

-
Paradiddle-diddle
Day 1 Day 10

______ bpm ______ bpm

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