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    Uptempo Studies - Part 1

    Uploaded by

    Eden Har-Gil
    Steve Fidyk Modern Drummer

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Uptempo Studies - Part 1

    Uploaded by

    Eden Har-Gil
    126 views3 pages
    Steve Fidyk Modern Drummer

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    Steve Fidyk Modern Drummer

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    126 views3 pages

    Uptempo Studies - Part 1

    Uploaded by

    Eden Har-Gil
    Steve Fidyk Modern Drummer

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    JAZZ DRUMMER’S

    JAZZ DRUMMER’S WORKSHOP


    WORKSHOP

    Uptempo Studies
    Part 1: Whole Notes and Half Notes
    by Steve Fidyk

    In this series, we’ll focus on exercises that develop flexibility and endurance when playing fast tempos (300
    bpm and up). To efficiently play at these speeds, it’s essential to stay relaxed. To gain the confidence and
    language necessary to handle such speeds, it helps to work toward specific goal tempos systematically and
    gradually.
    As you begin practicing the comping exercises below, find a tempo at which you can complete each
    example without stopping or getting fatigued. I recommend keeping a practice log of the tempo and the
    amount of time you can sustain it. As your endurance improves, increase the tempo by five bpm, and see how
    long you can hold that speed in a relaxed and legato manner.
    As you bump up the tempo, you may begin to feel tension in your body. When that happens, stop and take
    a break to relax before diving back in.

    The Sweet Spot


    Try to find the sweet spot on your ride cymbal where the stick has the most rebound. Playing on the thicker
    area of the cymbal can make it easier for the stick to rebound, which saves energy. Some drummers also
    prefer using nylon-tipped sticks to help improve articulation when playing fast. This is due to the fact that
    nylon rebounds faster off cymbals than wood does.

    Mental and Physical Fatigue


    Working on the following endurance exercises can help you overcome physical fatigue. To help eliminate
    tightness within your ride cymbal sound, try using more forearm motion to create leverage. Also, to combat
    mental fatigue, breathe deeply as you play.
    Practice the following comping patterns with the standard ride pattern notated in Exercise 1.

     ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹
    ÷ 44
    You can also practice each whole- and half-note example with these additional ride variations.

    2A ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ .B. ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ .. .. ‹
    C ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ .. .. ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹
    D
    4
    ÷4 . . ..
    Here are the whole- and half-note comping exercises.

    
    ÷ 44 R R R R R R
    - -

    ÷R R R R R ..
    R - R - R R R - R - R
    
    Alex Solca

    ÷ 44 R R
    R R
    R R
    - -

    ÷R R R R R ..
    R - - R R R R - - R R

    66 Modern Drummer April 2018


    
    ÷ 44 R R R R R R
    - -

    ÷R R R R R ..
    R R - R - R R R - R -
    
    ÷ 44 R R
    R
    R
    R
    R
    - -

    ÷ R R R R ..
    - R R R - R - R R R - R
    
    ÷ 44 R R
    R
    R
    R
    R
    - -

    ÷R R R R R ..
    R R - R - R R R - R -
    Stay focused and relaxed as you practice. Also be sure to stretch your wrist, forearm, and finger muscles
    before playing these to prepare your mental and physical reflexes.
    Next time we’ll explore examples that incorporate dotted half notes and dotted quarter notes.

    Steve Fidyk has performed with Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, Dick Oatts, Doc
    Severinsen, Wayne Bergeron, Phil Wilson, and Maureen McGovern, and he’s a member
    of the jazz studies faculty at Temple University in Philadelphia. For more information,
    including how to sign up for lessons via Skype, visit stevefidyk.com.

    April 2018 Modern Drummer 67


    Reproduced with permission of copyright owner. Further reproduction
    prohibited without permission.

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