Right and Left Hand Exercises
The first exercises are played using the snare drum and involve right and left hand alternation.
First make a clean tap with your right hand (Photo. 3a) and as your right hand is returned to its original position make a clean tap with your left hand (Photo. 3b). Repeat the procedure. The important thing to remember in every exercise is to relax and don’t let your wrists and forearms tense up as this will make your taps sound uneven and jerky, thus preventing you from increasing your sped steadily.
A QUARTER NOTE (Sometimes called a CROTCHET) 3 has the value of 1 beat and 4 quarter notes are needed for 1 bar in * time, i.e., a quarter note is played on each beat.
Ex. 1 will be played on the snare drum (S/D), written in the second space from the top of the staff. The L - left hand and the R - right hand will alternate (Refer To Photos. 3a and 3b) in * time.
NOTE - Start each exercise with the right hand and then try starting each exercise with the left hand.
By approaching every exercise in this manner you will not be dependant on one hand starting all the time.
This next exercise shall be played using double strokes of the right and left hand. Play the exercise through first RRLL, then play it through LLRR.
Ex. 3 combines the bass drum (B/D) with the snare drum. The bass drum is played using the right foot and is written in the bottom space of the staff.
