Re: please post your practice routine (1wk/2wk)
For the past year I have been trying to get more serious about my practice - one of the things I took to heart is the quote "Don't play while you practice and don't practice when you play". So I started doing the following:
1. Broke the practice sessions down into parts - warm ups, rudiments/strokes, "new thing", and review.
2. I started keeping a journal of my practice sessions, writing down my goals, what I did, how the session went, and what I needed to improve on.
3. Every couple of weeks or so, I pick a "new thing" to work on. Sometimes this is a new song, sometimes it is a new skill like playing clave with the foot pedal bell along with known pieces, sometimes it is working on triplet pieces, or working on 6/8 time pieces, increasing tempo, you name it...
4. Rudiments/Strokes/Sight reading - I try to set aside a portion of my practice time just to work on the basics. While I don't do the same exercies every day, I do things like singles, doubles, paradiddles mixing the Bass/open/slaps. I do things like Heel (right) Toe (right) Heel (left) Toe (left) to a metronome (i am really trying to make my heel/toes more smooth.). Lately I have been working on one handed (BBSSOOSS all on the right hand and then switching to the left hand). Other times I have some basic etudes to practice my sight reading
5. Finally, I like to end on a positive note, so I like to spend some time doing a review of songs I know. I can try to push the tempo or focus on one element (like making sure all the slaps are right on). But it is a chance to just bust loose and play
6. Group practice/class - I take a weekly intermediate class with about 6 other people and instructor. It is one thing to practice by yourself, but when you start putting it together with other people, it is something entirely different!
As far as books, I have been working with "Conga Joy" and "Drum stories" by Bill Matthews as well as pieces given to us by our drum teacher.
I guess the major points are: make goals, keep a journal, work on basics, work on something new, find someone to practice with, and have fun.
Anyways, that is what I have been trying to do, your mileage may vary
---- If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum. - chinese proverb
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