SIMPLE Exercise That Changed My Drum Life Overnight

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@PoppaBadger]

Please never say that you are not a good drummer because every drummer has a different style.👍🏼 And I started the same way, by emptying my parents cupboards of everything I could possibly hit or make a noise with!!!🤣👍🏼 Many people say that Nick Mason isn't the best drummer, and he's probably not. But, he can keep a beat for a looooong time. So he's not so technical. He can still play a nice, steady beat for a long time and his fills are simple but incredibly effective!!! I've been playing for 40 years, self taught but I'm not a great drummer either. What I do well is get in the pocket and sit there. I can hold a beat and my fills aren't the most technical, but again, still effective. So don't judge yourself on what you can't do. Take pride in what you are capable of. I'm just now working on my sticking because I want to get better, but I am happy with what I am capable of, so far. God Bless and keep on doing what you do!!! You're a great drummer!!!👍🏼🫡🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@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!

[@PoppaBadger]

40 years as well, and my mind is blown. My neighbors are going to be driven crazy by me practicing nothing but rudiments and rolls!!!😂👍🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@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

[@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.

[@yuriselukoff]

So apparently this technique - analyze your motions at a slow speed, one hand at a time - does wonders not only for your rudiments, but for other stuff too. Here’s what literally happened after I watched this video: For days, I’ve been struggling with this fast fill. There’s this sequence - RL on a high tom and RL on a floor tom - that was just too fast for me. So I slowed down and analyzed the motion of each arm. And I suddenly realized that when playing the RL on the high tom, my right arm was FRICKING WAITING for the left hand to finish its stroke before starting moving towards the floor tom! It only took me 5 minutes to fix that glitch, and now I’m playing that fill easily! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU STEPHEN!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Oh, absolutely. If we will simply SLOW DOWN long enough to observe, the problems often fix themselves. So glsd to hear you had this breakthrough!

[@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!

[@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.

[@superatech]

Teaching is an art. Just because someone can drum does not mean that they can teach. I look forward to sitting at the drums with your video. Good job, Steven. Thank you for doing this.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thank you!

[@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.*

[@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!

[@fatally_errored2512]

"Speed is a natural biproduct of doing something well" - That's so simple but so huge to me! My focus was ALWAYS to try and increase my bpm every week, and was very frustrating to me when I couldn't. This immediately changes my perspective and I can't wait to get home to practice my rudiments with this new brilliant focus. My goal is now only fluidity knowing that speed absolutely comes naturally. Geez.

[@VW.907]

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

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad you still dig Travis!

[@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

[@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 .

[@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

[@IRo415]

Thank you a lot. I always learn more from your posts. Chris

[@gavinremedios7953]

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

[@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✅️

[@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

[@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!

[@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

[@RCGC01]

Great video. Thank you sir for the simplicity of your lesson.

[@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...

[@bigben046]

I'll be 70 years old in April and I've been playing drum since age 13. I was taught to play with the fulcrum grip by my highschool band director. Now my thumb basal joints are bone to bone. You can imagine how that feels. I still play because it's part of me but I not sure how much longer I can take it. To get to the point I've noticed you and other great drummers using a grip the looks like you're not using the fulcrum. What is that and how do you do it? It may be a ray of Hope for me. If you don't have time to reply I understand but thanks anyway.

[@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!!

[@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.

[@jeffsumpman9813]

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

[@drumit4youdrumit4you96]

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

[@mikkonaranen39]

Same!

[@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!

[@ArgathosSnake]

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

[@KJ-op8dp]

Another self-taught drummer here (going on 30 years on and off!), thank you Stephen! You explanation was nigh on perfect and easily envisaged.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet!

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

Beautiful demonstration, Stephen!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks!

[@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

[@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 !

[@64jcl]

Thanks for this video. Just started drumming and I see I need to likely start with getting a good flam going on both hands as my paradiddle attempts were not so good (not getting the accent on the left hand correct).

[@fareyemusic2564]

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

[@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!!

[@philatkinson3955]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@johnnyt5514]

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

[@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

[@chaosoul-seanleeriggs369]

Well articulated and very well demonstrated!!!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glsd it helped!

[@derekmillar8032]

Awesome! Back to the woodshed with my rudiments book!

[@heitorsilva8626]

Thanks Heisenberg Drummer! Nice view about rudiments!

[@joeg4707]

Simple yet profound. This changes everything.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@lalhmunmawiapachuau7777]

What a precious lesson!!!

[@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.

[@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. 😎

[@chrisggoodwin777]

I'll definitely have to sit down with this. I tend to tense up at higher speeds; this really seems like it'll help to relax at higher tempos

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Tensing at higher speeds is normal...and we all have to deal with it. I like to think about Bruce Lee and how he would talk about being like water...water goes extremely fast but is never tense. Always fluid.

[@chrisggoodwin777]

@@StephenTaylorDrums awesome thanks!

[@eswabidimusic]

Great stuff!!

[@YingYang-t4z]

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

[@revelationmedia7676]

Big eye opener~!

[@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! ✌🏼😎

[@geoffreydlang]

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

[@j0c0b]

Spot on!

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Excellent presentation.

[@tammmy1000]

I appreciate your thorough explanations

[@bobweber4140]

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

[@eddgip]

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

[@claysmell]

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

[@tomjones2348]

Amazing presentation. Thank you.

[@DamianS1893]

Most Excellent video

[@mikelyons1035]

Finally an explanation I can understand!!!

[@smartlad2]

Thanks for the video. I've played using the bounce method for years, however, I found it to cause injury as you need to grip to allow for the bounce. Now I hold my stick deeper into my hand and use all wrists to get better control and speed with less tension. I guess its more like a Tony Williams technique. Does anyone else use this method?

[@MrPeter924]

Very good playing drummer. So sound.

[@remander3873]

Love this lesson. So, the hard part, then, is more about limb independence. I'm still less than a year and a half into playing (and not practicing as much as I'd like due to career and family). I've come a long way, but still find that if I get a pattern going with my right, starting a different pattern or timing on the left derails me. Say I start a samba on the ride and then shift focus to the left hand rim taps, my right hand timing gets screwed up. I can't just set and forget one hand. Because of that, I am sort of stuck going the slow way of coordinated right and left hand movements. So, I guess I need to focus on training my brain to get each hand to work a pattern on its own in order to break out of this.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Yea, this is a common issue, so do you get too stressed. I would focus on getting those right hand patterns on auto pilot and then trying for downbeats on the rim with the left. Then upbeat, etc. Slowly focus on one at a time until you get it. Then move on to the next, master, move on. It is essentially a series of movements that you learn and begin to put together. Slow and steady wins everytime

[@schpiele]

Wow, this is gold. Fantastic explanation ;-)

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad it helped!

[@eliotbudd8140]

This has helped me immeasurably. Thank you.

[@UnderConstructionejab]

Good stuff. Thank you for sharing

[@JDRELGOR]

Thanks for the videos, is the flam the same action as push & pull? Sorry if this sounds dense.

[@knittelfour]

Great thinking exercise.

[@Mike-sf5cg]

Absolutely right my man. Good observation about the flam.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Doing this has helped me so much over the years

[@mikeskenne]

Magnificent!!! Thanks Stephen!

[@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!

[@evankrick9898]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@andyleethompson4241]

So helpful, thank you!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet Andy

[@bogdanique]

Great, thank you!

[@lovedanoise]

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

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

Thanks for your insight on this - yes motion is very important - mechanically and efficiency ! What is the wood type behind you on the sound baffles ? Is that walnut?

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

It's pine but burned and then stained

[@AmericaWon]

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

[@BrianTCarter]

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

[@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!

[@XPSby]

This is PURE LOVE!

[@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!

[@FullyBelieve]

Mind blowing realization! Thank you Stephen!

[@alifeinyellow]

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

[@jmelas]

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

[@981porsche3]

Man, that is some awesome insight. Thank you!

[@adoniascordeiro2896]

Hopper is a great teacher!