Decades ago, I had 2 drummer friends that (for whatever reason) liked my so called finger and wrist control.
I told them that 1) they worked way 2 hard, and 2) they had way too much arm in their playing.
I had them try something that popped into my mind 1 day/night, (it was 1 or the other) to keep their arm out of it (your arm should only move you from drum to drum or drum to cymbal, after that it's wrists and fingers).
What I had them try was this (it's going to sound stupid, but it worked).
At my friend's house we found a end table that fit the bill for what I wanted him to try. The end table was of a height that would let him get his forearms and (obviously) his hands under the table, but not enough room for the arms.
We got a bucket (I told you it was going to sound stupid) and on top of the bucket we put his practice pad. From the top of the practice pad to the bottom of the table was about 7", maybe 8", but no more.
I had him do double stroke rolls and paradiddles and the 1st day it was comical as to how much he hit the bottom of the table, but as he did this for about 20 minutes every day, his hitting of the table went down to almost nothing and, being he lived about 2 blocks from me I could see the improvement in his speed and basic dexterity because with his forearms and hands under that table, he had no choice but to use his wrists and fingers and his arms were kept out of it by the table.
This took place about 25-30 years ago. After about 3-4 months, if I had to put a number to it, his speed went up by 25%, his ability to get around the set probably went up by at least 20%, and he didn't break into a sweat after 5 minutes because he didn't work 1/2 as hard.
Gregg, if you want to improve your wrist and finger, try ^^^^^^^ and loosen up. You play and your body is way too tense.
OldeEnglishD,
http://youtu.be/kPUl98Xaghs
I've practiced my doubles this way since I was about 12.
Bookmarks