The Four Necessary Fundamental Exercises Every Drummer Needs to Know!

     Fundamentals are the building blocks for every drummer’s style and interpretation. Some of us prefer to drum with a stronger marching background, while others drum with jazz influence. In any case, there are several exercises that all that drummers should practice to help shape their sense of time. After all, it is our job…we are the driving force behind any ensemble. Therefore, brush up on these fundamentals on the snare drum to maintain a well-balanced structure to your drumming.

8s Exercise –

• http://www.snarescience.com/exercises/eight-on-a-hand.pdf

This one is elementary, but it's one of the first fundamental drumming exercises you learn for a reason. Eighth notes provide a more consistent sense of time by breaking down the quarter pulse, providing twice as many references for time. Practice marking time to the quarter note, half note, and whole note. This fundamental exercise will force your whole body to interact with the rhythm. Lastly this exercise is great to practice technique, as well as understanding the mechanics behind the muscles you use.

Triplet Grid –

•  http://www.snarescience.com/exercises/triplet-grid-single-accent-forward.pdf

Triplet grid is a triplet-based pattern that focuses on the accents of each triplet-partial and how they relate to the beat. This is a great exercise for drum set players. Lots of drum fills can be dressed up with triplets and variations of accents. By marking time to this exercise you will be able to feel more comfortable with the bass parts. In short, this is a great one to further your triplet-timing skill set.

Double Beat –

• http://www.snarescience.com/exercises/sanford.pdf

Double beat is a consistent eighth note exercise with diddles on the down beat and off beat, alternating between the two in equal segments of time. Double beat should be an exercise that focuses on a drummer’s diddle control and quality. Start slow, around 100 bpm…and slowly get faster. Doing this everyday is also a great way to build chops!

Paradiddles –

• http://www.snarescience.com/exercises/paradiddle-pyramid.pdf

Paradiddles are very common rhythmic patterns that show up in all forms of percussion. They also put into perspective alternating stickings. Practice paradiddles by placing the partials on different toms while on the drum set. This allows you to make new fills. Additionally, paradiddles are an excellent pattern to hone in on stick control.


     Fundamental exercises can be tiresome, but they are necessary to every drummers routine. These fundamentals will build muscle, and they will also help improve your sense of time. If you really want to test yourself, practice these fundamental exercises with different dynamics too!

Good Luck!