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.

Warming Up and Stretching:

Easy Drum Solos To Develop Technique by Joel Rothman:

• Pages 2 - 7: 180 - 240 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo. Practice Exercise 4 on Page 5 at 240 BPM)

Push / Pull Technique:

• Left Hand Practice: (Practice thumb motion.)

Easy Drum Solos To Develop Technique by Joel Rothman:

• Pages 9 - 14: 180 - 220 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo. Practice at 220 BPM)

Single Stroke Roll Exercise:

• Click here to view a video of this exercise: 180 - 230 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo)

Technique Patterns book by Gary Chaffee:

• Pages 34: 140 - 220 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo)

Mike Johnston's challenge:

• Click here to view a video of this exercise: 180 - 230 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo)

Technique Patterns book by Gary Chaffee:

• Pages 6 - 7: 80 BPM (Repeat each exercise 4 times)
• Pages 8 - 9: 80 BPM (Repeat each exercise 4 times)
• Pages 35 - 38: 140 - 200 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo. Repeat each exercise 4 times. Practice exercises 4 - 6)

Master Studies book by Joe Morello:

• Page 67: Excercises #17 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 110 BPM

Singles, Doubles and Paradiddles:

• 100 - 250 BPM (Four 16th notes per rudiment. Repeat each rudiment 4 times. Two 16th notes per rudiment. Repeat each rudiment 4 times. Gradually increasing the tempo. Practice at 250 BPM)

Warming Up and Stretching:

Easy Drum Solos To Develop Technique by Joel Rothman:

• Pages 2 - 7: 200 - 240 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo)

Push / Pull Technique:

• Left Hand Practice: 90 - 110 BPM (Four 16th notes on each hand, repeat 4 times. Practice thumb motion.)

Rock Solos by Joel Rothman:

• Pages 2 - 4: 80 BPM

Technique Patterns book by Gary Chaffee:

• Pages 6 - 7: 85 BPM (Repeat each exercise 2 times)
• Pages 8 - 9: 85 BPM (Repeat each exercise 2 times)
• Pages 34: 140 - 200 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo. Repeat each exercise 2 times.)
• Pages 35: 140 - 200 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo. Repeat each exercise 4 times. Practice exercises 5 + 6.)
• Pages 36 - 38: 140 - 210 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo. Repeat each exercise 2 times.)

Master Studies book by Joe Morello:

• Page 67: 110 BPM Excercises #18 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead. Loosen grip on Left Hand)

Singles, Doubles and Paradiddles:

• 100 - 250 BPM with Matched Grip (100 - 200 BPM with Traditional Grip) (Four 16th notes per rudiment. Repeat each rudiment 4 times. Two 16th notes per rudiment. Repeat each rudiment 4 times. Gradually increasing the tempo. Practice at 250 BPM)

Technique Patterns book by Gary Chaffee:

• Pages 6 - 7: 90 BPM (Repeat each exercise 4 times)

Singles, Doubles and Paradiddles:

• 90 - 230 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo)

Technique Patterns book by Gary Chaffee:

• Pages 34 - 35: 210 BPM (Practiced on electric kit)

Technique Patterns book by Gary Chaffee:

• Pages 34 - 35: 180 BPM (Must adjust Iron Cobra Pedal)

Technique Patterns book by Gary Chaffee:

• Pages 6 - 7: 100 BPM (Repeat each exercise 4 times)
• Pages 11 - 12: 90 BPM
• Pages 34 - 38: 180 - 200 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo)
• Pages 57 - 58: 200 BPM (Start page 58 slower next time)

Rock Solos by Joel Rothman:

• Page 27: 100 BPM
• Pages 28 - 29: 85 BPM
• Pages 31 - 34: 120 BPM

Single Stroke Roll Exercise:

• Click here to view a video of this exercise: 220 - 240 BPM (Gradually increasing the tempo)