NINE MINUTE DRILL
PRACTICE
PAD Breakdown Exercises
Let’s get this party started! Begin by practicing each exercise separately while focusing on proper technique and muscle use. There are three different tempo variations of the play-along tracks for each exercise, so use them to build stamina and dexterity. The ultimate goal is to combine all exercises into the full sequence (see page 17). With the demands of modern high school marching band, it is never too early to incorporate body movement into your drumming. You will occasionally find some recommendations for choreography and/or stick tricks throughout this section, so have fun and be creative. Remember: Drumming with the right energy level can make all the difference. Stay focused, but don’t forget the fun! Below is a brief overview of the five practice pad exercises just ahead. For the sake of efficiency, most exercises have more than one focus.
PAD #1 – Legato Strokes, Dynamics, and Accents Legato Strokes: Stay relaxed so you can achieve maximum stick height at the top volumes. This is a good time to let the stick do most of the work, so create some space between the stick and your palm to allow this to happen (while maintaining fingers on the stick). Dynamics: Imagine the changes in your stick heights as if they were plots in a straight line on a graph from your highest to lowest stroke. And remember, low and soft doesn’t mean weak! Accents: Focus on your stroke types—taps, upstrokes, and downstrokes—and aim for two consistent heights. 5