This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the April 2016 issue, which is available here.

Basics

Backstage Warm-Ups

A Rudimental Routine for Balanced Hands

In this lesson, I’m sharing some of the warm-ups I use before hitting the stage with Jason Aldean each night. I improvise with rudimental figures that isolate both sides of my body, which helps me focus on my weaker hand. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but these exercises continually find their way into my routine.

I begin by slowly stretching the muscles in the forearms, hands, and fingers. Drumming often boils down to a combination of full strokes (louder hits played higher off the head) and half strokes (taps played softer and closer to the head). The exercises in this lesson combine full and half strokes with a variety of accent patterns.

Flams and drags are also incorporated into the phrases. I use single strokes, double strokes, and paradiddles as shifting points to make sure both sides of the body take turns starting each pattern. Although your weaker hand might never fully rival your stronger hand, make it a lifelong goal to develop both hands as equally as possible. Advertisement

Check out a video demonstration of the exercises below.

Rich Redmond

For the complete lesson with transcriptions, check out the April 2016 issue, which is available here.