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 38: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Page 6 - 9: 70 BPM.
• Page 37: Excercise 11. 100 - 210 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.
• Page 65: 190 BPM.

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #45 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 130 BPM.

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

• Pages 10: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies II:

• Pages 10: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

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

• Pages 36 - 37: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

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

• Pages 9: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Page 6 - 9: 90 BPM.
• Page 37: Excercise 10. 100 - 210 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.
• Page 64: 190 BPM.

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #44 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 - 130 BPM.

Joe Morello: Master Studies II:

• Pages 9: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joel Rothman: Easy Drum Solos To Develop Technique:

• Pages 6 - 7:

Gary Chester: The New Breed II:

• System 3: Played melodies on page 26 - 27.

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

• Pages 35: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

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

• Pages 8: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #43 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Page 36: Excercise 9. 100 - 220 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.

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

• Pages 34: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

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

• Pages 7: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #42 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 BPM.

Joe Morello: Master Studies II:

• Pages 8: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joel Rothman: Easy Drum Solos To Develop Technique:

• Pages 4 - 5:

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

• Pages 33: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

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

• Pages 6: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #41 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 125 BPM.

Joel Rothman: Easy Drum Solos To Develop Technique:

• Pages 2 - 3:

Joe Morello: Master Studies II:

• Pages 7: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Page 36: Excercise 8. 100 - 210 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.

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

• Pages 32: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #40 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Pages 6 - 9: 80 BPM.
• Pages 11 - 12: 80 BPM.
• Page 36: Excercise 7. 100 - 230 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.
• Page 63: 190 BPM.

Gary Chester: The New Breed II:

• System 2: Played melodies on page 24 - 25.

Single Stroke Roll Exercise:

• Click here to view a video of this exercise: Repeat the exercise 4 times, gradually increasing the tempo. 100 - 230 BPM

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

• Pages 5: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies II:

• Pages 6: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

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

• Pages 31: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #39 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 120 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Pages 6 - 9: 90 BPM.
• Pages 11 - 12: 90 BPM.
• Page 35: Excercise 6. 100 - 180 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.
• Page 62: 190 BPM.

Single Stroke Roll Exercise:

• Click here to view a video of this exercise: Repeat the exercise 4 times, gradually increasing the tempo. 150 - 235 BPM

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

• Pages 30: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #38 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 115 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Page 35: Excercise 5. 100 - 200 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.
• Page 61: 190 BPM.

Gary Chester: The New Breed II:

• System 2: Played melodies on page 43 - 45.

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

• Pages 29: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #37 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 115 BPM.

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

• Pages 28: (with Matched Grip and Traditional Grip)

Joe Morello: Master Studies:

• Page 68: Excercises #36 (Repeat the exercise 25 times with both right and left hand lead). 110 BPM.

Gary Chaffee: Technique Patterns:

• Pages 8 - 9: 95 BPM.
• Pages 11 - 12: With single strokes and with double strokes. 100 BPM.
• Page 35: Excercise 4. 100 - 200 BPM. Repeat exercise four times, gradually increasing the tempo.
• Page 60: 190 BPM.

Single Stroke Roll Exercise:

• Click here to view a video of this exercise: Repeat the exercise 4 times, gradually increasing the tempo. 180 BPM

Gary Chester: The New Breed II:

• System 2: Played melodies on page 41 - 42.