Mark's Secret Public Practicing Drums Journal

Since the last time I wrote, I have been practicing pg 6 of Stick Control Lines 47 & 48. I still haven't gotten to 20 count yet but still working on it.

Plus I'm still clapping, tapping 16 notes on my chest, knees, tables, while in the car, kitchen, bedroom, computer room, at work, in the office.

But what I am also learning is I need to work on my endurance and physical well being meaning need to lose weight. Small goals.

AND ONE OF MY SMALL GOALS IS THE ONE THING I HARDLY WORK ON AT ALL OR NONE AT ALL IS YES, THAT'S RIGHT!!! (2001: A Space Odyssey soundtrack playing, the kettle drums are thundering, bring in the horns!) I want and need to work on drum tuning. yes (you all gasp!)

The Art of Drum Tuning I will be working on. Working will be me. (Ode to Yoda) Yes, I love beating on my drums but I also want & need to show them love by tuning them. (I can hear my boss and co-workers laughing at me for posting this but I don't care because I have neglected this part drumming for far too, too long.)

Hopefully this will light a fire under my butt. Happy Holidays to you all and to all a good night!

Mark's Secret Public Practicing Drums Journal

So it has been awhile....

I'm still practicing in Stick Control pg. 6 Lines 47 & 48. Both of these lines have been giving me fits but lately, I've been applying them to the kit: Right Hand on 14" floor tom & Left Hand on Snare + both feet play 8th notes. This has helped me to hear, feel and understand how these patterns go AND counting out loud.

I'm also still working or warming up with singles, doubles, Linear fills (RLRK, LRLK, RRLRK, LLRLK, RLRLKK, RLRKKL, RLRKLK), double inverted paradiddle fill, and work on the speed of my left foot with different 16th note exercises.

Still tapping on my chest & knees and clapping to work on my speed and coordination. Now to only get the public to think I'm drummer, not some "special person".

Need to get back on the wagon. Later Everybody.

Mark's Secret Public Practicing Drums Journal

Again, it's been awhile.

Still working in Stick Control on page 6 up to Line 40 or 41 at my rate of tempo which I'm too comfortable. I'm trying now to do a lot of hand tapping on my knees, my chest, a table, etc so to work on my coordination, speed and endurance. I know it may sound ridiculous, but I'll try anything......almost....as long as doesn't kill me.

But I haven't been practicing as much because once again life gets in the way. Time Management is key and one I keep losing. Think Positive!

But I digress......I have been telling people I want to be in a band again; that should mean something like I want to practice, right? and get better.

Til Next Time, True Believers!

Mark's Secret Public Practicing Drums Journal

It's been a while but I'm back!! Always remember Life Will Get In The Way (Todd Sucherman) with Its Big Ass and try to knock you down. But I digress...

Pad@H: Stick Control Pg 5 & 6 Lines 3, 4, 29, 30, 31, 32 & 33 with feet (both and just my main, my right foot ) Plus I learned something about those lines I didn't know. They were written in Cut Time. So instead of counting 8th Notes (ie 1& 2&...), it's 16th Notes: 1e&a 2e&a. I have found this difficult but the more I do it, it helps me to figure out the sticking quicker. And it helps with including the feet. Received this tip from a Living Breathing Drum Instructor/Teacher. If and when you can afford one, go for it; they're great for instant feedback, quick tips and eventually mastering the double stroke!

DS@PR: I finally Gene Hoglaned my practice routine (this is not first time but now with different shoes). Put on the 10 lbs ankle weight and my old pair of Vision Street Wear Skate Shoes (almost like hi tops but not like basketball shoes). Did different foot and hand patterns such as Double Stroke, The 16th Note Right Hand & Left Foot exercise, and worked on double bass stroke; see how fast I could go. It felt good so far. Can't wait to do it again. I did this mostly as a warm up for about 30 minutes and then went onto Line 33 on pg 6 of Stick Control, Six Stroke, Inverted Paradiddle Riff and some other stuff. Left the metronome alone today.

My journey will continue tomorrow. Keep on Drumming, True Believers. Stan Lee is stuck in my head. I'm tired

Need to stop Neglecting the Double Stroke. Later

Mark's Secret Public Practicing Drums Journal

New Update!!

Tonight Pad@H: I finally surpassed Line 25 of Page 2 in Stick Control by working on the hand movements all day. Then also got down Lines 26, 27, 28, & 29. Lines 27, 28 & 29 I might have to go over again but I'm confident I will get them down. TOTAL TIME: 1 hr & 30 min Felt Good.

Later Everybody!

Mark's Secret Public Practicing Drums Journal

Right now I'm totally obsessed with Stick Control Page 2 Line 25 RRLL RLLR LLRR LRRL

I CAN'T GET IT!!!!