Improving One Hand Endurance

I've simply written out a stick control exercise that is based on Alan Dawson's adaption of George L.Stone's classic "Stick Control" exercises.

The idea is to build greater strength in the hands and develop your technique.

Simply play one bar of sixteenths as single strokes, then alternating four sixteenths in each hand. Repeat with double strokes and paraddidles.

Next do the exercises again playing eight sixteenths in each hand. Do each exercise four times.

Once comfortable, double the length of the bars so it becomes a four bar exercise.

Next do whole bars of sixteenths with each hand.

You can do the same exercise as triplets playing three, and then six, notes in each hand, and so on.

Practice with basic foot patterns keeping time.

Start at a tempo that is slightly uncomfortable and over time gradually turn up the dial.

This was originally posted on "Jazz Drumming Blog" and in the "Ideas for Jazz Drumming" e-book (no longer available). This post has been revised from the original.