Part 1 · Getting Started · Chapter 9

How to Practice

Twenty minutes every day beats two hours once a week. Your hands and brain learn during the days in between, so regular practice adds up fast.

TIME	WHAT TO PLAY
5 min	Warm up: single and double strokes, slowly.
10 min	Today’s chapter: the examples, slow then faster.
5 min	Review one older chapter you like.
5 min	Just play: grooves, fills, or along with a song.

EXAMPLE 9.1Warm-up

TEMPO

Eighth notes, alternating hands. Start at 60 and raise the tempo 5 at a time.

Practice slowly enough to play it right every time.
Stop when you make the same mistake twice. Slow down and fix that one spot.
Record yourself on a phone now and then. You will hear things you miss while playing.
End each session with something fun.

Real drums are loud enough to damage hearing over time. Wear earplugs or isolating headphones when you practice on a kit.