Single Surface Exercises

Snare-drum exercise
Eighth Note Rests

Feel and read simple eighth-note syncopations — source material for comping, coordination, and limb-independence work.

How to practice this

This is an exercise designed to help the student begin feeling simple eighth-note syncopations. This rhythmic source material can be used to teach the reading of eighth-note rests, or as source material for coordination exercises in order to develop comping ideas and limb independence.

Start each exercise slowly, and try to mentally subdivided the eighth notes even though you are not playing all of them. Work with a metronome to keep yourself honest. As with any rhythm exercise you should try to creatively orchestrate these rhythms around the drumset.