HOW TO GET GOOD

I am asked all the time, “What does it take to get good?” Well, here is what I recommend in
order to get better:

First and foremost: Practice and patience! ...and, the DESIRE to be get better.
A strong foundation in the basics:
• Timing skills (check patterns, triplet timing, polyrhythms, duple and triple together,
etc)
• 2-Height Dexterity: Good definition between accent to tap heights, able to play all
rudiments with correct heights (and know all your rudiments by memory).
• Good sound on rolls at all dynamic levels.
• Consistent flams
Go slow for long periods of time, work your way up SLOWLY.
Use a metronome and count!
Play EVERY DAY, listen to as much music as possible, have an open mind, learn from everyone,
play as many instruments as you can, and HAVE FUN!!!!!

The exercises included on PDFs work on many of the basic and fundamental skills that are
needed to become a successful musician and rudimental drummer.

HAPPY DRUMMIN TO YA!

PRACTICE TIME OUTLINE

Practicing every day is vital to your improvement as a percussionist. Below, I have outlined a
good way to spend an hour of time behind the drum. If you can get more, awesome, if you have
trouble finding an hour, cut the times in half.

10 min warm-up
20 min Rudiment breakdown / basics focus
20 min Etudes, solos, etc.
10 min “Chop Out” session. Play a roll for 5 min, bucks for 5 min per hand etc. WORK
YOUR MUSCLES! Warm down when done.

2006 Jeff Queen

play at all dynamic levels,
cresc. / decresc., 16 on a hand etc. 8's
! ## $ # $ %
" " ##!! # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # %
R l R l

Double Triple
## $
" !! ## ## ## & ## # # ## ## ## & ## # # ## ## ## & ## ## # # ## & ## ## ## # %
R L R

! ## $
L R L

" " ## ### ### ### # # ### ### ### # # ### ### ### ### ### ### ### # # %
R L R
L R L

Bucks
' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
!
" ! ######## ######## ######## ######## # $ %
R L R L R

Triplet Bucks
' ' ' ' $ ' ' ' ' '
" ! # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## % # $ $
(
R L R

STICK CONTROL
" !! # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
R L R L R L R L ... R R R L R R R L ... R L R L R L R L ...

" ################ ################ ################

R L L L R L L L ... R .L.. R L R L R L ... R R R R L L L L R R R R L L L L

" ################ ################ ################

R L R L R L R L ... R R L L R R L L ... R L R L R L R L ...

" # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
R R R L R R R L R L L L R L L L R R R R L L L L R R L L R R L L

" ################ ################ # $ %

R R R L R L L L R R R R L L R R L L L R L R R R L L L L R R L L R
 Triplet Timing
Count the downbeats out loud

! !" ( $
% " ## # & & & & & & & & ' & & ' & & & & & & ' & & ' & & & & & & & & & & & & ## % $#
(
R L R L R L R L L R R L R L R L L R R L R L R L R L R R L L

! ( !$
% " ##$# & & & & & ' & & & ' & & & & & & & ## "% ## & & & & & &
R L R L R R L R R L R L R L L R L R L R L

( $
& ## % &# )#
(
% & & & & & & & & & & & &
R R R R L R L R L R L L L R

Triplet Rolls JAQueen

&&&&&& &&&&&&
Tap Rolls 2nd X

% $# & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &

&&&&&& &&&&&& $# 2. & & & & & !#*

# % & & & & & & & & & & & & " # & & & & & & && && && && && &&
& & & &
1. * Tap Rolls 2nd X

% &&&&&& &&&&&&

& & & & & &

* * * * *
% & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &

& & & & & & & & & & & & # $ 2.* & & & & & * * & & & & * )#
% & & & & & & & & & & & & # % & & & & & & & & & & & & &#
1.

Flams / Spree
* * * * * * * * * * * *
!" &' ' ' '
% # &&&&&&&&&&&& & & &&& & &&& & &&& & & & & & & & & & & & & & &
( ( ( (

& & & & !$ # '( *

Tap 5's 2nd X Replace q flams w/your favorite rudiment!
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
#
% & & & & & & & & & & & & # %" # & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &
'( '( '
( '( '( '( '( '( '(

R L R L L R L

* * * * * * * * * * $ *
&' ' ' '
% & & & && & & && & & && & &
( ( ( (
&'
(
& &'(& &'(& &'(& &'(& &'(& ## % &#'( & # )# +#
R R L R L R L R

© 2005 Jeff Queen

All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured
 16th ACCENT 4-2-1 VARIATIONS
Count the downbeats out loud.
Add diddles, flams, etc.
16th Note 1 Accent
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
!
" ! ################ ################ ################ ################

!#$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ !$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
" " # ################ ################ ## "% ## ################ ################ ## % #%&

16th Note 2 Accents

$$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$
" !! # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $! $ $ $ $ $$ $$ $$ $$$ $$ $ $
" # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # " # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## %
#

! #$$ $$ $$$ $ $$ $$ $$$ $

## $ # %
$
" " ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # %
&

16th Note 1 Accent, Backwards

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
!
" ! ################ ################ ################ ################

! # $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ # !$ # $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
# $$
" " # ################ ################ # "% # ################ ################ # %#
%&

16th Note 2 Accents, Backwards

$ $$ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$
! ################ ################ ################
" !

$$ $$ $$ $$ ! $ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$
" # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # " ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## $
%

!#$ $ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $$
# $$
" " # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # %#
% &

These are just a few accent variations to practice with the "grid" and "4-2-1".
The sky is the limit so add flams, diddles, etc. for endless possibilities!
Remember to count the downbeats out loud and know where the downbeat is at all times.
Count downbeats out loud: "1, 2, 3, 4" 3 Note 16th Timing
Also practice leading with the left hand

" !! ########### ### ########## ### # ############## ########$ ###$ ###

RLRLRLRLRLR RLR RLRLRLRLRL LRL L RLRLRLRLR RLR RL RLRLRLRL LRL LRL

! ## $ # # # # # # # # # # # #
" " ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # $ # # # %
R L R L R L R R L R L R L L R L R L R R L R L R L L R L R L R R L R R L L R L L

" # ## # ## $ ### $ ### ### ## # # ## $ ### ### ## # # ## $ ### # % &

R RL R RL L RL L RL RLR RL L R RL L RL RL R RL L R RL LRL R

2 Note 16th Timing

!
" ! #### #### ##' ##' #### ####$ ## $ ## #### ####' ##' ## #### #### ### ###
RLRLRLRLRL RL RLRLRLRL LR LR RLRLRLRL RL RL RLRLRLRLR LR L

! $
" " ## # # # # # # ' # # # # $ # # # # # # ' # # # # # # ## # ## % # # ' # # ' $ # # $ # #
R L R L R L R L R L L R R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L L R L R

" ' # # ' # # ## # ## # # # ' $ # # ' # # ## # # # ' $ # # ' # # ## # # % &

R L R L R L R L R L L R R L R L R L L R R L R L R

1 Note 16th Timing

" ! #### ##### # #### #### $ ## $ ## #### #### ' # ' # #### #### ' # # ' # #
! ( ( ( ( ) )
RLRLRLRLR R RLRLRLRL L L RLRLRLRL R R RLRLRLRL L L

! ) $
" " ## # # # # # # # # # $ ## # # # # ' # # # # # ' # # ## % #
( ( $ ##( $ ##(
#
R L R L R R L R L L R L R L R R L R L L R R L L

" ' # ' # ' # # ' # # # $ ## ' # ' # # # $ ## ' # ' # # # % &
( ( ) ) ( ( ) ( ( )
R R L L R L R L R L R L R
 16th Note Check Patterns and 14 Permutations
replace 8th notes w/groupings below

!
Practice leading w/the left hand

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ## " $
1. 2.
# "! $ $ $ $ $ $ $$$$$ $ %
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R

3 Note Groupings
1) 2) 3) 4)
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ & $ $ $
R L R R L L R R L L R L
L R L L R R L R L R L R
2 Note Groupings
5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)
$ $ ' & $ $ ' $ $ $# $ $ $ & $ $
R L L R R L R L R R L L
L R R L L R L R L L R R
1 Note Groupings

'#
11) 12)
( 13)
( 14)
)
$ & $# ' $ $
R L R L
L R L R

Triplet Check Patterns and 6 Permutations

replace q notes w/groupings below

$ #" ! 2.
Practice leading w/ the left hand

#
% #" $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ # " $
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1.
% *
R L R L R L R L R L R L

2 Note Groupings
1) 2) 3)
3 3 3 3 3
( 3
(
$ $ ' $ $ ' ' $ $ ' $ $ $ $ $ $
R L L R L R R L R R L L
L R R L R L L R L L R R
1 Note Groupings 5) 6)
4)
3( 3( 3
( 3
(
$ $ ' $ ' ' $ ' % $ % $
R L L R R L
L R R L L R
 TRIPLET ACCENT 4-2-1 VARIATIONS
Count the downbeats out loud:
4's = "1, 2, 3, 4"; 2's = "1, 2"; 1's = "1, 2, 3"
Add diddles, flams, etc.

Triplet 1 Accent
& & & & & & & & & & & &
!"
$ # %%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%
R L R L R L ...

! #' & & & & & & $! &

# #
& & & & &
## $ !"# % # )*# #
&
$ " ## %%%%%% %%%%%% %%%%%% # %" ## % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
(
R R R L L L R

Triplet 2 Accent
&& && && && && && && && & && && && &
!"
$ # %%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%
R L R L R L ...

! #' && && && && & && & !$ && &&& & && &&& & $ &
$ " ## % % %% % % %% % %% % % %% % %% ## "% ### % % % %% % % %% % % % %% % % %% ## % # % # ) # *#
( !"
RL RLR R LR LRL L R

Triplet 1 Accent, Backwards

& & & & & & & & & & & &
!"
$ # %%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%
R L R L R L ...

! #' & & & & & &

## !$ ###( %%% % % % % %% %%% % % % % %%
& & & & & &
## $ !"# % # ) # *#
&
$ " ## %%% %%% %% %%% % % %%% %% "% %
R R R L L L R

Triplet 2 Accents, Backwards

& && && && & && && && && && && && &&
!"
$ # %%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%
R L R L R L ...

! #' & && & && && && && ## !$ ###( % %% % % % % % % % %% %% % % % %

& & &&&& & & & &&&
## $ !"# % # ) # *#
&
$ " ## % %% % %% %% % %% % % % % % % % "% %
R R RL RL L L L RL R R

These are just a few accent variations to practice with the "grid" and "4-2-1".
The sky is the limit so add flams, diddles, etc. for endless possibilities!
Remember to count the downbeats out loud and know where the downbeat is at all times.
Speak downbeats out loud for the duration
of the exercise. ("1, 2, 3, 4"; "1, 2, 3" etc.)
POLLY JAQueen

! #! ################ ################ 1.################ ################ # $

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$
" " #! # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #%
R L R L R L R L ...
A
5 2. $
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ & $ $ $ & $ $ $ $ $ $ $
# ### ###
" # # # # # ## ## # ### ### # ## ## % ### ### # ## ## % ### ### # ## ## # ###############
# # # # # # # # # # # #

9 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
#
" # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ' ############ ############
# # # ! # # # # # #

12 & $$ $ $$ & $$ & $$ $ $ & $ & $$ $ $$

" %# # # # ## # # # ## # # # %# # # # ## # % # ## # # # ## # # # ## # % # ## # # # %# # # # ## # # # ## # # #
B
16 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$$ x=e$ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $$$
#
" # ### ### # ## ## # ### ### # ## # # () # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # * ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ##

! $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 1. $ $ $ $ $ $
## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## $
20

" " ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## %

24 2. $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $ $ $ $ $ $
" #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### # #### #

C
28 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
# # # # # #
" ## ## ## ## # # # # # # # # # # # #
## ## ## ## # # # # # # # # # # # #
## ## ## ## # # # # # # #
## ## ## #### #
# # # # # # # #
to Coda +
D.C. al Coda
32 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ e=x$
$ $ $ $ $ $$$$
# # # # # #
" ## ## ## ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ! ################ ' ############ !
## ## ## ## ! # # # # ! # # # !

+ Coda
36 e=x $ $ $ $ $ $$$$$$$$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
" ! #################### ! ############### ! ######## ######### ################
! ' !
# # # # # # #

40 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
" ### ############# ################ ### ##### ######## ################
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
RRLRLLRLRRLRLLRL RRLRLLRLRRLRLLRL
44 $ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $ $ $$$$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$$$ $ $$ $$ $
" # ####
### ,- .
# ####
# ####
# # #################### #################### ## # # ##### ## , /
RRLRLLRLRRLRLLRL R RLRL R RL LR R
© 2005 Jeff Queen
All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured