Ninja Drummist - Free Drum Lessons

I encourage all my students to keep a practice log / diary. This helps them to keep track of their own development, notice any flaws in their practice regime, achieve greater awareness of their improvements and identify the efficiency of certain practicing methods over others.

My own practice log is listed below and is intended to give my students and fans an insight in to my practice regime. It contains book titles / authors, page numbers, metronome settings and other instructions. You can view a complete list of the drum books I use on the Recommended Books Page.

In addition to the materials mentioned below, I spend at least 15 - 30 minutes warming up. I play mostly simple rudiments and try to get used to the shape and feel of the drum kit I'm playing, concentrating more on relaxation than speed. I also spend a lot of my practice time playing along with songs, drum loops and click tracks.

I try to get a good few hours practice every day. Most of my practice consists of practice pad work which enables me to focus more on creativity and style when I do get to sit down at my acoustic kit.

Please note: Occasionally, my busy schedule may prevent me from keeping this page 100% up to date.

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 5: Excercise #13 - 18. 170 BPM. Repeat each exercise 20 times before final ending (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip).

George L. Stone: Stick Control - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 19: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #53 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 BPM.

Joe Morello: Master Studies II:

• Pages 14: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joel Rothman: Easy Drum Solos To Develop Technique:

• Pages 4 - 5: 170 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Pages 11 - 12: 100 BPM.

Paradiddle Grid:

• Click here to view the sheet music for this exercise: 100 - 150 BPM. Repeat each line four times.

ScoJo's Lick of the Week:

• Hero Lick - (100 - 120 BPM. Target: 132 BPM)
• Click here to check out ScoJo's Licks of the Week

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 4: Excercise #7 - 12. 170 BPM. Repeat each exercise 20 times before final ending (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip).

George L. Stone: Stick Control - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 18: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #53 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Page 38: Excercise #15. 100 - 140 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 4: Excercise #1 - 6. 170 BPM. Repeat each exercise 20 times before final ending (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip).

George L. Stone: Stick Control - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 17: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #52 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 100 BPM.

Joe Morello: Master Studies II:

• Pages 13: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joel Rothman: Easy Drum Solos To Develop Technique:

• Pages 2 - 3: 170 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Pages 11 - 12: 95 BPM.

Paradiddle Grid:

• Click here to view the sheet music for this exercise: 100 - 150 BPM. Repeat each line four times.

ScoJo's Lick of the Week:

• Hero Lick - (100 - 120 BPM. Target: 132 BPM)
• Click here to check out ScoJo's Licks of the Week

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 45 - 47: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

George L. Stone: Stick Control - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 16: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #51 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 BPM.

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 44: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

George L. Stone: Stick Control - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 15: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Pages 11 - 12: 85 BPM.

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #50 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 BPM.

Joe Morello: Master Studies II:

• Pages 12: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Paradiddle Grid:

• Click here to view the sheet music for this exercise: 100 - 150 BPM

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 43: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

George L. Stone: Stick Control - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 14: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Pages 11 - 12: 85 BPM.
• Page 38: Excercise #14. 100 - 210 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.
• Page 66: 190 BPM

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #49 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 BPM.

Joe Morello: Master Studies II:

• Pages 11: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Gary Chester: The New Breed II:

• System 3: Played melodies on page 29 - 31.

Paradiddle Grid:

• Click here to view the sheet music for this exercise: 120 BPM

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 42: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

George L. Stone: Stick Control - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 13: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #48 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 100 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Page 37: Excercise #13. 100 - 210 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 41: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

George L. Stone: Stick Control - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 12: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #47 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 110 BPM.

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 39: Exercise #37 - 48 (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)
• Pages 40: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

George L. Stone: Stick Control - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 11: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #46 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 110 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Page 37: Excercise #12. 100 - 200 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.

George L. Stone: Accents and Rebounds - For the Snare Drummer:

• Pages 39: Exercise #25 - 36 (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)