L1 - Eight on a Hand

So you have now perfected the rebound stoke and ready to start your first technique exercise '8 on a hand' Like i will be emphasizing on ALL exercise's moving forward - START SLOW !

For this exercise let's perform the following routine,

Day 1 & Day 2 :
a. Set the metronome to 90 bpm (beats per minute)
b. Play 8 rebound strokes with the left hand - LLLLLLLL
b. Then alternate & play 8 rebound strokes with the right hand - RRRRRRRR
c. Keep repeating these steps until you can play consistently for 2 mins non stop on each hand

Remember to take it slow, play each beat clearly and with equal sound/impact

Day 3 & Day 4:
a. Set the metronome to 120 bpm
b. Play 8 rebound strokes with the left hand - LLLLLLLL
b. Then alternate & play 8 rebound strokes with the right hand - RRRRRRRR
c. Keep repeating these steps until you can play consistently for 2 mins non stop on each hand

Day 5 & Day 6:
a. Set the metronome to 150 bpm
b. Play 8 rebound strokes with the left hand - LLLLLLLL
b. Then alternate & play 8 rebound strokes with the right hand - RRRRRRRR
c. Keep repeating these steps until you can play consistently for 2 mins non stop on each hand

At the end of the week you should be proficient on playing these rebound strokes with each hand consistently ! If not repeat the process till proficient. See a video demonstration of this technique here

Day 7 : Game time with a FUN Exercise!

1. Set the metronome to 90 bpm and play the following pattern
2. Eight rebound strokes with each hand -  LLLLLLLL , RRRRRRRR
3. Seven rebound strokes with each hand - LLLLLLL , RRRRRRR
4. Six rebound strokes with each hand - LLLLLL , RRRRRR
5. Five rebound strokes with each hand LLLLL , RRRRR
6. Four rebound strokes with each hand LLLL , RRRR
7. Three rebound strokes with each hand LLL , RRR
8. Two rebound strokes with each hand LL , RR
9. Single rebound strokes with each hand L, R
10. Back to step 9 then step 8, step 7, step 6, step 5 , step 4 , step 3, step 2
11. Repeat steps 2-11

It will take you a few weeks of practice to complete this game correctly & consistently at 90 bpm, so have patience and keep at it ! Here's a video demonstration of the great Peter Erskine using this as a warm up routine

Tip - to get more proficient post above stage increase metronome speed to 120 bpm & then 150 bpm !