How to practice 'Stick Control'

[eric_B]

I started practicing the rhythms of 'Stick Control' and was wondering what's the best way to do it. I know I should play the same rhythm twenty times and then go to the next one. But what about different speeds?

For example: play rhythms 1 to 5 at 60 bpm, then again at 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160. And the next day the same routine, maybe for one week? And then practice rhythms 6 to 10 the next week? And work through the book like this? Any suggestions?

[Michael Render]

You want to be "capable, yet challenged." That means if you can play it perfect, go to a higher speed. If you are perfect at 120, go to 140, etc. You are trying to accomplish two things, build muscle memory and develop speed. The only way to accomplish that is go to the edge of you ability.

[KapperDog]

I have been told that this is the guideline for stick control. It's going on 80 years old but I am told that it applies today as much as it did then.

George Lawrence Stone - Stick Control for the Snare

EDIT: Oops. I was going to attach it but it's too big to upload.

It's 4 MB.

Check it out online. Just Google "Stick Control George Lawrence Stone". If you want a copy, I'll post it somewhere.

[eric_B]

You want to be "capable, yet challenged." That means if you can play it perfect, go to a higher speed. If you are perfect at 120, go to 140, etc. You are trying to accomplish two things, build muscle memory and develop speed. The only way to accomplish that is go to the edge of you ability.

Right, but does that mean playing the entire book at 120 bpm for some time until you can play it smoothly, then start again at 140 bpm. Or better practice one page at a time, starting slow to max speed and then the next page?

George Lawrence Stone - Stick Control for the Snare

Perhaps I didn't make it very clear, but I was referring to how to practice using that book. Although it's old, I also think it still is good today.

[t_henson]

I practiced about a page a week. I started slow to get use to the sticking pattern and once I got it down, I would bump up the tempo. It's kinda boring, but it helps in the long run.

[Vdrum_Noob]

Well, I have the same book, I run up a 5 day schedule

day 1 100 bpm
day 2 120 bpm
day 3 140 bpm
day 4 160 bpm
day 5 180 bpm

and I'll do this for page 1 of the exercises

I spend about 2 minutes per exercise. If I'm struggling with it I drop it 10 bpm. If I'm still struggling I'll drop it another 5 bpm
Once it's all good I go onto page 2.

I pay close attention where my sticks are hitting on my practice pad, judging from the wear on my practice pad I'm in a circle about the size of a quarter.
I also pay attention to the balance point on my sticks to make sure they're not creeping from to light a grip.
I watch my stick height to make sure they are even and listen to the level (loudness) of the strokes to see that they are even.

hope this helps, I'm learning as well

cheers
RJ

[eric_B]

Thanks RJ, I'll give it a try. I also got my copy of 'A fresh approach to the snare drum' today, so I hope these books (and a lot of practicing) will give me a more solid foundation to expand on.

[Vdrum_Noob]

I've been on "stick control" for about a month now. I can see a noticable improvement. I'm right handed my left hand was not tracking with the rebound stroke very well.

I found I had to work the left hand harder then the right to get a better rebound stroke. I could execute the stroke with the left hand but I couldn't consistantly get the same pad strike area when I made the stroke.(Now I can sit there and get consistantly in the "quarter" so to speak.

I actually have a smile on my face while I write this as I struggled with it for a bit as the left hand rebound stroke felt "un-natural". Now it's pretty much second nature.

let me know how you're getting along

cheers
RJ

[Vdrum_Noob]

I also took a few lessons to get off the ground on the right foot. As I'm (an older guy). the instructor wasn't really sure where to start (I also have 20+ years of guitar). So I said I wanted proper posture, proper grip and proper rebound stroke. ( I figured these would be the three most valuable things I could pull out. We covered it all in about an hour with some exercises.

It was a really good hour, and I suspect I'll take more lessons as my skills improve

cheers
RJ

[eric_B]

I've been on "stick control" for about a month now. I can see a noticable improvement. I'm right handed my left hand was not tracking with the rebound stroke very well.

I found I had to work the left hand harder then the right to get a better rebound stroke. I could execute the stroke with the left hand but I couldn't consistantly get the same pad strike area when I made the stroke.(Now I can sit there and get consistantly in the "quarter" so to speak.

I actually have a smile on my face while I write this as I struggled with it for a bit as the left hand rebound stroke felt "un-natural". Now it's pretty much second nature.

let me know how you're getting along

cheers
RJ

Hey RJ, as I'm left handed (but playing with a right-handed setup) I'm facing the opposite problem: my right hand is weaker and, among others, the rebound stroke isn't as smooth as my left. That, and the intension to improve my general playing skills, made me set to practice 'Stick Control' daily.

I'm also switching between open handed and cross hand playing. Not sure what to go with. Playing open handed with left the hand on the hihat is easier, but playing ghost notes and doubles on the snare with my right hand isn't up to par. And vice-versa. Well, let's see what 'Stick Control' can do for me!

[Vdrum_Noob]

Whats embarrassing is I have a 10 year old daughter taking drums in school right now. She can use her right and left hand independently. Makes dad look like a doofus on a drum kit

RJ

[Vdrum_Noob]

Hey RJ, as I'm left handed (but playing with a right-handed setup) I'm facing the opposite problem: my right hand is weaker and, among others, the rebound stroke isn't as smooth as my left. That, and the intension to improve my general playing skills, made me set to practice 'Stick Control' daily.

I'm also switching between open handed and cross hand playing. Not sure what to go with. Playing open handed with left the hand on the hihat is easier, but playing ghost notes and doubles on the snare with my right hand isn't up to par. And vice-versa. Well, let's see what 'Stick Control' can do for me!

Seems we have the same problems LOL, anyhow what is your Kit right now?

and do you use a practice pad as well?

RJ

[eric_B]

Seems we have the same problems LOL, anyhow what is your Kit right now?

and do you use a practice pad as well?

RJ

See my signature: a TD-9KX. I don't have a practice pad (might buy one tomorrow, as I'm going to the music store ) and I'm still looking for a kit setting which is satisfying (see thread http://vdrums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44353).

By the way: I'm not young nor old (I guess) being 36, but already notice learning is a little tougher compared to when I learned playing keyboard/piano about 20 years ago.

[Vdrum_Noob]

I have the same kit and am considering upgrading over the next 2 months. Just want to add some more hardware to it. In particular a proper hi hat and kick (kd120/kd85).

great kit though, really like it.. Well, I'm 49 and did the piano and guitar route.
both my daughters play piano and my oldest plays guitar as well (and drums).

So music is in the family.
I have a home studio in the basement. The drum kit was the last Item I needed to get to round it out. So things are complete!

Did play drums in Hi school ( LONG time ago). So I'm glad I'm picking it back up and it has been lots of fun

RJ

[eric_B]

I have the same kit and am considering upgrading over the next 2 months. Just want to add some more hardware to it. In particular a proper hi hat and kick (kd120/kd85).

Same here, I want to try the VH-11 and KD85/120 tomorrow. But all and all I like the TD-9KX, especially with the VEX kits. I also have a little home studio, spent a lot of time in it. Well, I think it's better making music than watching TV all day.