SIMPLE Exercise That Changed My Drum Life Overnight

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Simple Tip To Double Your Drumming Hand Speed (Overnight)
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I kid you not, this one simple drum tip DOUBLED my hand speed on some stickings and drum rudiments. It's a simple mental shift that will help you look at how your playing the drums and assess how to improve your drumming hand speed.
Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts!
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Cymbals: Zildjian
Drums: Tama
Sticks: Vic Firth 5A
Heads: Aquarian
In Ears: Alclair In Ear Monitors
Earthworks Microphones

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Get access to the courses Hand Technique 101, Hand Technique 102, and Foot Technique 101 with a 14 day free trial of my Online Drum School: bit.ly/2TpkJmJ

[@drivenmad7676]

I wish technique was on my radar 40 years ago. Maybe then i wouldn't have damaged my hands and forced me to retire. Now my thumbs go numb when i look at a pair of sticks.

[@mohamadshahzamashraffmdsha8319]

@@drivenmad7676

[@drumur]

I realized this some years ago while I was teaching students and it was a game changer. It's so cool when you realize that's all you're really doing.

[@marnixw8724]

As a self-taught drummer I never did rudiments when I was a kid. Understanding how the basics and the fundamental motions of something are the foundation for everything else has changed my life - it applies to everything outside of drums as well! Wanting to become a better drummer accidentally turned into my biggest life lesson. Thank you to people like Stephen and Mike for that!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Makes my day to know the lessons have helped that much!

[@squamishfish]

Even greats like Neil Peart from Rush sought out lessons when he was at his prime , he took lessons with Freddy Grubber , Also another Jazz great drum instructor Peter Erskine

[@mroycek]

Thank you for sharing your input. I too am self taught. Reading your comment about the basics and fundamentals has turned on a light. Many things I have done in life. One of things I would like to know is that I am an accomplished drummer. Have 2 out of 4 sons coming up behind me that are learning drums. Thanks again!

[@johngarvey803]

I know this comment is old but I can’t agree enough. I have technically been drumming since age 12 (now 31) but hardly ever took lessons or any kind of interest in rudiments. Instead, I just got pretty dang good at cool-sounding single stroke self-taught stuff. It worked for the bands I used to play in, but I always knew something was missing. Now, so many years later, I have regular access to drums again and an actual will to learn which is transforming my drumming life as well as other areas! 🎉

[@DamianS1893]

Most Excellent Presentation and Lesson.

[@TheZedcast]

MIND BLOWN! After 40 years of professional playing, my Swiss Army triplets were AT LEAST twice as fast as when I started watching the video 15 minutes ago! And all because of a mindset change! 🤩🥁 Thanks for the awesome lesson Stephen!!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

It did the same for me

[@thepicturesband]

Been playing 40 yrs and this discovery you’re speaking about only dawned on me after very many years. I love how you describe everything clearly!

[@randyr1446]

I love the way you explain the mechanics of playing... I have gotten soooo much value over the years from your school. You are still my fav teach... thanks, Stephen!

[@mookibois9784]

Dude you are by far my favorite drum teacher on yt, every time ive looked up a question on drumming youve been on the top kf the feed and for good reason! You explain it perfectly! Keep up the good work!!

[@schlagzeugvideocoach]

Man... Your teaching skills and explanations get better and better. Insane lesson, really love it. Thanks for sharing your love for the instrument, a true inspiration as always! Big drummer hug from Germany! ✌🏼😎

[@everythingcountries2174]

This is gold thanks. I started learning the moeller technique and someone saw and increase in the speed of my paradiddles and I did not really keep practicing the moeller technique but now I understand it's importance

[@jeffsumpman9813]

After a life time drumming, this was the first time Anybody showed me a easier way to do a crush roll fill. Thnx!!👍👍

[@evankrick9898]

It’s nice seeing another drummer cone to the same conclusion separately, and seeing their perspective. Thank you for your insights!

[@MrVANCEBACKN59]

Thank you, I knew right away what you were talking about because my blockage is always detailed oriented to the point of not being able to flow. I will be practicing and in a short time taking your classes. Thank you

[@webstercat]

This lesson & watching Claus Hessler did have immediate results. Hard to explain. The correct Mechanics of motions open up ease of playing. Thanks so much.

[@eulavmaballs246]

I quit drumming due to noise issue, now I am back with an electric kit after 5 years of stopping. Rewatching Stephen videos got me back on track in no time. Amazing stuff, timeless lessons. Thank you!

[@pookiejavanectar1662]

Thanks! Have benefitted greatly from watching a couple of your sessions...altho there's a monetary aspect to this, putting these ones out for free is a great service. Truly appreciate your work and wish you the BEST✅️

[@ballhawk387]

Great lesson. A way to get "out of ones head". I can *only* do complex sticking patterns without *thinking* about the sticking *at all.*

[@johnnyt5514]

Serious stuff (Hessler) explained in such a fun way to learn. Nailed it. GREAT Lesson.

[@drumur]

This is great stuff. I figured this out a while ago and it changes everything. I always tried to separate my hands and show the students what one hand is actually doing. It's more about the motions. If you get the motions down the rudiment plays itself

[@fareyemusic2564]

Wow! This helps instantly. I can’t believe how much faster my Swiss triplets got thinking about them as doubles. Thanks man!

[@FrankDag]

6:06 I'm fortunate to be a student of Dom's for about 3 years now and you're absolutely right that speed comes later & is a byproduct of stick control. All my speed gains are from going through Stick Control & Accents and Rebounds and focusing on the consistency of strokes, stick height and the absence of tension in my movements. Great lesson, I'd never heard Swiss Army Triplets called Dirty Rolls before and that makes total sense.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Oh, Dom is a fantastic teacher and absolutely wonderful at technique. You're lucky to take from him!

[@Chiroman527]

Hey Stephen, this is really a Great Lesson. Clear, instructive info and explaining the "fluidity" of the motion. Now if I could just get the sticks lay in my hands in this Relaxed style. I tend to grip them too tight. And I now use mostly the Matched American Grip, and mix it up with The French Grip. I started drum playing in 1966 at 15 years old , took maybe 6-8 lessons at the local Music Store in Flushing, Queens NY. Played By Ear for 3 years with 2 other HS buddies in a Garage Band. We never got out of the Garage. Then life got in the way as we parted" College for 2 of us, and Military of the other. I lived with my parents in an apartment, so no Drum Set (that's what we called in my day). I always "played" air Drums or on lap to the Tunes. Then as I approached retirement in 2018, my wife of 44 years then (now 47 years) , got me a Cheapo Gammon Kit for Xmas, bc I mentioned that I may want to "play' drums at a local Studio to get it out of my system.... I'n now retired, upgraded the kit to a PDP Concept Maple 7 drum kit with better cymbals (Paiste) , extra snares [Mapex Piccolo & DW Design Series 14 X 6.5, replaced all the drum heads (Evans G2s coated [love the sound achieved with the maple drums] and DRYs for the snares), Aquarian Bass drum heads,. I don't really Practice per se, but play to My Music about 1 hour a day. My Music: CCR (Cosmos Factory was a terrific LP) , all things Petty, Clapton, Mellencamp, Stones, Beatles, Talking Heads, Cars, Saw Blades (a friend of mine made a CD of their Cover tunes !!), Rascals (Dino Danelli was a damn Good drummer), Melissa E., Eagles, even Bonnie Rait and Linda Ronstadt (Linda being the first real DIVA of Rock/ Country Rock with a terrific band _ Henley, Fry, and Jackson ), and more. Happy Drumming all . One Health tip I'd like to relay: Drink water , not gallons, but stay hydrated. I didn't and bc of that and smoking cigarettes for over 40 years, has wreaked Havoc with my spine Vertebrea. Your Spine is your Well Being Generator - the disks in your back are 80% Water... Sorry for rambling .

[@joeg4707]

Simple yet profound. This changes everything.

[@doultonduck6534]

Wow dude! Thanks so much! I can play these rudiments really well, but just watching this helped me slow down and focus on precision. And slowing down was really hard. Seeing the motion most certainly helped. Thanks soooo much!

[@tomsteketee4124]

You've piqued my interest, you described my situation PERFECTLY! I'm at that stupid wall and can't seem to climb over... I'm going to try this today for a week or so and we'll see what happens! Thank you Stephen, your videos always help your a great teacher! Love your occasional humor btw makes practice much more fun!

[@philatkinson3955]

Very fundamental- stepping from technique to muscle memory of MOTION...genius!!!

[@bobweber4140]

Wow! Thankyou so much bro been working on the 5 stroke roll this will change everything

[@raypattenden487]

This concept was explained to me by a teacher years ago, I only wish it had clicked years before. Definitely the most important aspect of drumming technique.

[@geoffreydlang]

StephensDrum"Shed" some serious light on the 'mystery' of increased hand speed. Nicely done, sir!

[@DaFishChronicles]

Great explanation! There’s just some people that are great at teaching. I finally understood how things work. I wish I could have a teacher like you. I’ll be more motivated.

[@eddgip]

Insane, thanks a lot Stephen, definitely practicing those motions and having the mechanic in mind from now on

[@VW.907]

Been a while, but still enjoying your teaching! Still want to say, thank you.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad you still dig Travis!

[@davepoulsen-bi9un]

Really enjoy all you have taught me and love your videos keep up the great work you're my favorite teacher have a great day

[@robertjohn5030]

Mate like your drumming just starting with pad and different drumming Techniques I should listen in my stitches and what I am doing your a good man

[@mattfourie5612]

Great lesson. I found myself doing this “dirty roll” and had the same ah ha moment. You explain it so well mate! Also, great great sounding snare.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks Matt!

[@KevinPaulineNeal]

Cool!

[@jmelas]

What a coincidence! I've been studying the new Gaddiments book and I was thinking exactly the same! Great lesson and concept!!

[@alifeinyellow]

Wow. I really really needed this. Thank you, Stephen.

[@haroldseaman4243]

🤯 this would of been the single best video second year of band class!!! A true gem I've been practicing along to it thanks so much!!! Paid a lot of money in early 90s for VHS tapes that don't even come close to this level of teaching!!! The way you show example and give an explanation that everyone can't understand is why I migrated from MJ channel!!!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thank you Harold

[@riesencub]

Great! I can feel the block in my brain starting to fluididize. What a nice lesson. I shall study more like this from ya. -G

[@tradgrip]

This lesson offers so much clarity!! I can't wait to work on this..and improve!! Thank you for this!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

So glad it helped!

[@ArgathosSnake]

The fifteen minutes that entirely changed my way of practicing my strokes! Thanks!

[@FullyBelieve]

Mind blowing realization! Thank you Stephen!

[@tammmy1000]

I appreciate your thorough explanations

[@derekmillar8032]

Awesome! Back to the woodshed with my rudiments book!

[@seanmiller6701]

Thank you for putting this video together!!

[@nicolasguiraopriori8822]

It was a long time ago since i learnt something so useful and powerful about hands. Thanks!

[@bennoschlachter368]

Hi Stephen. Just found this video and from the onset i found myself wondering if you just had lessons with Claus - turns out you had. I have lessons with Claus since more than 6 years. For me he switched the light on so many issues, absolute game changing. Just like Dom, whom we all miss now, - R.I.P. Dom -he's one of the greats when it comes to teaching drums. Great video and explaining. 😎

[@eliotbudd8140]

This has helped me immeasurably. Thank you.

[@BrianTCarter]

Golden Stephen! I’m not sure when I came to this realization but it’s a game changer for sure.

[@jaykafcas4342]

Hello,I'm digging this! I just started faithfully playing the drums 7 months ago. I'm also a guitarist of 31 years. I come from a family of drummers. I call the drum set ny : "Serenity Chariot" Me & my son sleep with our drum sets every Saturday night. What's extremely refreshing as a musician is, my listening with precision has shifted on another level and I can add dynamics to a song just by listening and not playing. I listen to the guitar in the full band mix in a much different "position" and truely love seasoned bass guitar players more then the 6 stringer guitarists. Off to put it to it!!

[@claysmell]

This is awesome, thank you. Gotta improve my left hand motion to match my right.

[@heitorsilva8626]

Thanks Heisenberg Drummer! Nice view about rudiments!

[@NathanRaboudBuns]

I'm going to show my drum students this! Great job breaking it down. You're a solid drummer!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks so much Nathan!

[@marknorth1838]

I’d like to present an award to you Stephen for the most important mind-shift drumming gift that I have or will ever have received. Its made that much difference and literally an overnight leap in control in that period. Thank you!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Makes my day to hear that!

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

Beautiful demonstration, Stephen!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks!

[@chaosoul-seanleeriggs369]

Well articulated and very well demonstrated!!!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glsd it helped!

[@drumit4youdrumit4you96]

...you have blown my mind in the BEST way possible 🥁

[@mikkonaranen39]

Same!

[@chrissherwin6423]

Steven, I've been playing for quite awhile. I watched this video, and it totally made me rethink how I've been playing drums.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Well that makes my day. Glad it hit you where you needed it to my friend !

[@fatbastard667]

This video makes so much sense. Very Nice.

[@DesignRhythm]

Awesome lesson, much appreciated

[@981porsche3]

Man, that is some awesome insight. Thank you!

[@fathertime209]

Phenomenal observation... Extremely helpful for learning the more complex rudiments! Thank you ever so much 🙏

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet!

[@kevinfiume7920]

Very informative, Been playing in the basement for years to music, Never learned the rudiments so while I can play some with a band ( I just finally joined ) , I'm very limited. Thx

[@td-12kx53]

What a great lesson! I actually took this lesson on Drumeo about a year ago, but it just didn’t click with me. In this lesson, it makes perfect sense. I tried it and it actually worked. I totally got it. Now, I just have to drill on it. Thanks!👍

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

So glad it sunk in this time!

[@mikeskenne]

Magnificent!!! Thanks Stephen!

[@tomjones2348]

Amazing presentation. Thank you.

[@SniffITjoe]

Wish we had the ability to get to these great learning videos as a kid. Thanks Stephen great job!

[@classixdrummer]

This is one of the finest lessons you have ever produced, Stephen. You are a thinking musicians teacher for sure. I think the tittle of “Professor” is open. That Swiss army triplet epiphany is genius man. Anyone who wants to see this rudiment applied around the kit, go watch Steve Smith’s performance highlight at Vic Firth.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thank you my friend 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@AJNystrom]

As much as I agree that Steven is a great teacher, Neil Peart will always be The Professor.

[@classixdrummer]

@@AJNystrom I agree of course. Being a drummer from Ontario Canada I always felt a certain affinity with Neil. Every beat he ever played was dissected and learned between myself and a drummer friend.

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

@@AJNystrom Correct.

[@ChontosDrumLessons]

Killing it, Stephen! 👊🏻

[@XPSby]

This is PURE LOVE!

[@DamianS1893]

Most Excellent video

[@devolta]

I felt like I got it, and to some degree I had, but after seeing this, it is clear as a bell. Thank you Stephen!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad it sank in!

[@canatolakhoemini6728]

I'm terrible at lessons. Have been for 30 years. This was the most well received lesson ever! Brilliant! Got it so much quicker!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad to hear it!

[@mikelyons1035]

Finally an explanation I can understand!!!

[@revelationmedia7676]

Big eye opener~!

[@johngrant3010]

Great Lesson Stephen. I saw Jim Chapin discuss this same thing and your emphasis on the motion made a big difference in just minutes on my playing. Thumbs way up!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Makes my day to hear that John

[@markmidwinterdrums]

Wise words Stephen! Some great tips here. 💯

[@Mike-sf5cg]

Absolutely right my man. Good observation about the flam.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Doing this has helped me so much over the years

[@wedieritrea131]

It took me for a while to get it, I was saying it does not make sense then finally I got the big picture, Great trick.

[@johnh5367]

Thanks so much!! I'm not much of a drummer, but it almost feels like a what Freddie Gruber taught Neil Peart!?? The way you teach this almost wants to make me go get a practice pad and watch and practice! My hands were always horrible, never thinking about the hand motion of a stroke. And I've got room for a kit, too :) But 6 months on a practice pad and a teacher who understands what you're talking about and can teach it - wait - you're a teacher!!. RIP Neil, thanks for the continued inspiration...

[@BrianTCarter]

That compression of the doubles sounds awesome. Would be great for a solo.

[@SomeRandomPerson163]

Brilliant video! Sometimes I tryed isolate one hand but didnt know it so powerfull method. Main trick is some mental switch. You know you hands can do it faster but brain lag.

[@frankiehdrum1]

Great lesson

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Excellent presentation.

[@MrPeter924]

Very good playing drummer. So sound.

[@markuskajo903]

A brilliant lesson! 👍🌺🥁💥

[@billbigler1366]

Great lesson Stephen. Thanks very much.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet Bill!

[@bogdanique]

Great, thank you!

[@MrRdp0215]

Long story short. Im an older man 61yrs. For fifty years. Ive never watched my hands practicing my sticking exercises. the past few months Ive focused on watching my sticks and hands. Made all the difference. Having you sir, Mr. Taylor explaining. This is the icing on the cake. Thank You Sir! 'You can tech an old dawg new tricks lol. I just have a passion to hit things from a child up. Started with trash can lids and pots and pans. Anything that can be struck with sticks or hands, feet. Im not that good of a drummer. But Im as professional as you can get with my passion for any instrument. Thank You again sir.

[@tljohn24]

I’m a teacher and drummer. I went to audition for the bluecoats back in 2010 and they had a moeller exercise and while I understood it, my hands did not because my motion wasn’t fluid enough. This video would’ve helped me with that. I hope to start implementing these techniques more frequently in my playing and my teaching. I also can relate to the math calculation analogy.

[@eswabidimusic]

Great stuff!!

[@henrylitjes5695]

Love you Stephen that makes life so much easier thanks man.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Love you as well my friend!

[@gavinremedios7953]

Soooo true, light bulb moment thanks Mr Motions never thought of rudiments like that ❤😂

[@nixneato]

One of your best lessons so far...

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks...so glad it helped!

[@daveturner2913]

I agree. This is incredible. Can’t wait to try it out!

[@j0c0b]

Spot on!

[@jirimichalek7840]

Thank you Stephen! Now I have to learn all those rudiments again 🙂 anyway, this is the best advice concerning speed I have seen recently! Those movements made my hands so loose and much faster, suddenly.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad to hear it!

[@knittelfour]

Great thinking exercise.

[@debralynnpaxton5238]

Spectacular lesson, Stephen !

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad it helped Debra!

[@henrikdegnes]

I just looked at Chad Wackermans course on the Spivack method and he shows exactly this flam motion. Looks like you also hold the sticks with the middle finger like Chad. I found this to be very important for my playing. Good video!

[@andyleethompson4241]

So helpful, thank you!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet Andy

[@lovedanoise]

great lesson, and inspiring T-shirt too ;-)

[@jimfarey]

A very good lesson, lots to be learned around this topic. I had a few questions or observations though, maybe they will help you or other people looking for deeper answers. I found it interesting that you did something more like push pull for your double strokes, but there's the realisation to be had that push pull and Moeller pullouts overlap to a large technical degree, especially at high speeds. I probably wouldn't (and never do) mention to beginners that flams are informal up and down strokes. As much as I dislike formal movements for real world playing, I think starting with them helps people get to something more like a Moeller stroke naturally. There's no need to pump to play flams initially and I think sometimes some of us get a bit excited about Moeller strokes and how they are essential to all things, when really they're only appropriate in some settings. As I write this I can feel the frustration in myself that formalised systems and descriptions are useful for learning new ideas, but they too often box us in technically and limit our musical choices as we think about right and wrong. You didn't mentioned that if you collapse the doubles into Swiss triplets and then collapse them one further position you end up back at flams, this is also another fundamental lesson, but you mentioned that it morphs straight to the other side of the Swiss triplet. You said the doubles don't speed or slow down when you collapse doubles into triplets, but you slowed down - playing triplets in the time of 4 subdivisions - which does change the rate of each double. The goal, as I understand it here, was to move from 4s to 3s by overlapping two notes into a flam. This sounds like a rhythmic modulation, not a subdivision change. I imagine you knew that, but it's worth mentioning for other people reading along, being articulate is hard (and in working on it). I think we all tend to lose the little finger on our weak hand in the double motion, but it's worth addressing IMO, especially at high tempos as it's an area where we can lose stick control. Even Claus does this this with his god level chops, so I'm not hopeful I'll master it. Watch out for closing the left hand before throwing, not as we throw, otherwise we end up with hammer strokes and increase tension. Gladstone had a sign on his wall, "accuracy + endurance = speed" (maybe not in that order), I think that's the best formulation re speed being a consequence of good basics. Thanks for the vid 👍. Edit: was sad you didn't mention the name of drag taps as you morphed triplets into paradiddles. It's a great rudiment/rhythm. :)