by James Campbell

This drum line warm-up helps develop the fundamental upstroke and downstroke motions as it isolates single-hand movement for individual awareness of motion. It also serves to enhance listening skills using contrapuntal accents between voices with traditional samba rhythms.

Initially, use only two stick heights for this warm-up; high and low. The upstroke and downstroke (the two primary elements of this exercise) are the basic motions of drumming from which all rudiments are built. Emphasize uniform movement, matching the motion of each player. You can introduce more detailed strokes with wider dynamic ranges and related stick heights as the ensemble becomes proficient. When playing in a drum line observe the movement of your neighbor's stick, beads or mallet balls to help indicate a uniformity in rebound motion. Quads should cross-stick on the double-stops as indicated for added dexterity. Bass Drums can play the clicks on their drum hoops, as stick clicks, or with mounted accessories such as LP Cowbells, LP Jam Blocks, or LP Blast Blocks.