Hold On To Your Sticks!

Welcome to my drumming course Hold on to Your Sticks! - Mastering the Secrets of World Class Drumming.

This video course is dedicated to helping you develop world-class chops and drumming technique through the disciplined practice of key motions, strokes, exercises and rudiments. These videos follow systematically through my book of the same name. These two resources; videos and book, create a very powerful system to developing the drumming skills I know you desire. It will open up a whole new world of possibility for you as a drummer!

How to use this page. First of all this page is dedicated to those who have purchased my book and course, so you should already have a copy of my book. If you need to re-download your copy, please email me at: HoldOnToYourSticks@gmail.com and I can send you the link to download again.

As you work through the material in the book, you will see that all of the lesson below follow the major chapters or sections of the book. It is very easy to browse through the sections below and find exactly the video that will help you with what you are working on.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Randall Beach

Welcome

Watch this video first for a quick introduction to the course and explanation of the "Framework" for mastering the language of drumming!

Part I - A Few Preliminaries

In this section I will talk about the right tools such as Drumsticks, Drumpads and metronomes. We will cover the essentials of correct grip and hand position. This is SO important to set the stage for your drumming success. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is boring stuff that is not important. If you don't get this part right you will hinder your ability to progress!

Part II - Stroke Development

I don't know of anyone else who teaches drumming exactly like this. I have developed this sequence of "slow-motion" preliminary stroke exercises to teach your muscles EXACTLY how to move properly in the craft of drumming. It epitomizes the phrase my first teacher taught me: "SLOW makes fast! and FAST makes slow!" It is so true! If you have the discipline to go slowly with me through these preliminary stroke exercises, and really think about what I am saying and teaching, it will accelerate you progress DRAMATICALLY!

In this next video, Lesson 2.2, I start by saying "float stroke" I mean "shadow" stroke." This video teaches traditional grip and how to do the first preliminary stroke.

Part III - Single Strokes One-Height

Now we dive and really start drumming. Learning to play great alternating strokes is the "First Landmark Skill" of drumming. Then applying this to the standard "rhythm vocabulary" of is essential.

Part IV - Single Strokes Two-Heights

This section introduces you to what I call "the Golden Key that unlocks the door to the real world of drumming!" When you master the tap-accent motion I will teach you here, you will enter a new level as a drummer. This is the pattern or framework into which so much of advanced drumming is built. And you must be able to do this well if you want to progress and reach the highest levels of skill!

Part V - Rebound Stroke

Now that you know how to HOLD ON to your sticks, it's time to LET GO of the sticks - but only a little :-). In this section I will explain how to begin using the inherent rebound in the playing surface to play faster singles, buzz rolls, and begin paving the way to developing a true double stroke roll!

Part VI - Double Strokes One-Height

Now we will work on the "double stroke" also called "diddles." This is one of the most challenging steps to master. So be patient, be committed, and determined to practice hard to master this. Few things are more fun than being able to play a strong, powerful, fast double stroke roll!

Part VII - Double Strokes Two-Heights

Combining double strokes and two-height drumming with taps and accents, leads us to so many cool drumming figures. All the paradiddle rudiments, pugguddas, and accented rolls are some of the most useful figures in drumming!

Part VIII - Flams

I think the flam is becoming a lost art. This is one of the most unique rudiments and figures of drumming. There are two basic categories of flams, and when you have mastered these two fundamental motions, you can learn to play any of the flam rudiments and hybrid combinations.

Thank you!

This is also the last section in this video series. I wish you the very best in developing the drumming skills you seek.

Best of luck with your drumming!!

Randall Beach