2 Minute Tip: Push your Boundaries

2 minute tips* are designed to be small articles with big benefits.

Practical advice that you can immediately start applying to your practice routine and playing.

We have two sections - “What is it?” and “How do I apply it?”.

Cut the chat - just give me the details!

(*may not be two minutes)

What is it?

I’ve got a system that I originally used for developing the speed and control of my rudiments whilst remaining relaxed and controlled and avoiding the temptation to get sloppy by playing too fast.

In fact, you can apply this to anything - stick control, new grooves, whatever! The process involves finding your relaxed, comfortable tempo, being able to play at that tempo very comfortably, and then slowly pushing the tempo.

How do I apply it?

1/ Choose your poison

First off, pick a rudiment or an exercise, it doesn’t matter what - but if you’re just starting out then a good place to start could be a single, double stroke roll or paradiddle.

2/ Set your tempo

• start at a relatively low speed, say 60bpm, on the metronome

• if that feels good, increase by 10bpm

• continue to increase by 10bpm until either

  • uneven strokes

  • discomfort

• You’ve now hit your limit, so back off by 10bpm

  • This ensures you’re operating at a comfortable tempo that’s not too far from your max

  • Let’s call this your “operating tempo”

The idea then is to make sure we’re very comfortable and still relaxed at that tempo so that we can start to push on.

3/ Follow a Routine

• Practice at your operating tempo

  • For 2 - 5 minutes

  • Daily, for 1 week

  • Then increase by 5pm

  • Repeat

I hope that helps some of you who are struggling a bit to get that tempo up!