Monday Drumday: At the double

This may be my least interesting drumming video to most people. I am playing a 'rudiment' called the double stroke roll. You will see that guy can play them really quickly, but I am still developing my technique. Over on Drumeo they have various challenges based around these exercises. I previously did the single stroke roll over thirty days and saw real improvement both in speed and stamina. I am doing the same now with doubles, but this is only my third day. I started very gently and am gradually increasing the tempo. What you see is me doing one minute at 85bpm just after doing 4, 3 and 2 minute versions at different tempos. I can tell you that four minutes seems like a lifetime, but I already see an improvement from day one.

I made the video so I can check on my progress at some later date. I will try to do another when I complete the thirty days.

Drumming is very much a physical exercise and you need to train the appropriate muscles. I watched a lesson last night on bass drum technique where the teacher said he would play constant bass beats for long periods in his younger days. I know that sounds boring, but you can do it to music and vary the patterns.

I wanted to do the monthly collaboration too, but I am running out of time and have not worked on the song. I have had other things going on such as a concert on Saturday. I am out several nights this week too that will include an open mic at a local pub.

On top of that I am trying the Duolingo app again to try and learn French. I did it at school, but was never much good. I know a fair few words, but putting them together is the hard part. I hope a few minutes of that each day will improve it. I learnt German when I lived in Germany, so I know it is possible for me to learn another language.

Never stop learning and rock on!