The following lesson is excerpted from

“A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum” is the most comprehensive method available
that simultaneously provides instruction for rhythm reading, technique fundamen-
tals, rudimental training, coordination and musicianship necessary for today's well
rounded percussionist! The accompaniment CDs make practicing FUN by utilizing
percussion instruments and grooves from around the world!

Ask for “A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum”

at your local music store, or order online at
mwpublications.com
 Technique
LESSON 1
Our first technique exercise is called “8 on a hand” and reinforces the proper REBOUND STROKES that you
WORKOUT learned in the previous exercise, only this time with 8 strokes on the right, followed by 8 on the left.

Practice this exercise with the accompainment MP3 tracks in the Lesson 1 folder on the DATA CD – or play
along with a metronome set at 160, 180 and 200. As you work your way through the book, practicing with
these tracks or with a metronome will help you to develop a steady TEMPO.

Watch the videos for this lesson here:

www.youtube.com/user/FreshApproachBooks +
R R R R R R R R L L L L L L L L

After working on rebound strokes in the ”8 on a hand” exercise, you can add the
“4-2-1” exercise notated in the TECHNIQUE WORKOUT section of the book on page 73.

Snare Drum The snare drum rudiments are a collection of the fundamental skills and techniques necessary to becom-
RUDIMENT: ing a successful percussionist. Mastering the rudiments will take many years of practice and practicing them
EVERYDAY is important if you want to develop into a great drummer! Included with this book is a rudiment
Single POSTER, which includes all 40 essential rudiments.
Stroke Roll Our first rudiment is called the Single Stroke Roll– or ALTERNATING SINGLE STROKES. The goal on this rudi-
ment is not to produce a “drum roll”, but rather to play perfect alternating rebound strokes. Over the course
of the 20 lessons in this book, we’ll gradually increase the tempo until it begins to sound like a roll!

Practice this rudiment with the BRONZE LEVEL Single Stroke Roll rudiment playalong track, located in the
"Rudiments" folder on the DATA CD.

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Also practice starting on the left. Starting with the “weak hand” increases your ability to make every stroke
sound the same.

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Snare Drum Again, we’ll learn this rudiment at a slow tempo, playing ALTERNATING DOUBLE STROKES. Work to ensure
RUDIMENT: that every stroke sounds exactly the same, practicing along with the BRONZE LEVEL Double Stroke Roll
Snare playalong track. Only play up to the speed where you can stay relaxed and comfortable.
DoubleDrum Ru-
Strokediment:
Roll R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L

If you’re right-handed, leading with the left will strengthen your weaker hand.

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

On page 72 & 78, I’ve included LESSON PROGRESS CHARTS to help you track the tempos
of the essential exercises and rudiments that you’ll learn as we progress through the book.
Refer to this chart frequently as a guide for your weekly progress!

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 Start these sticking exercises with a metronome set on 120, playing each line separately for two minutes. Sticking
Then try all 10 lines without stopping, repeating each line twice. After you can play all ten with consistent Exercises
rebound strokes and no mistakes, move the metronome up to 140 and repeat the process. Once you reach
180, you're ready to play along with the accompaniment MP3 track!

➊ R R R R R R R R L L L L L L L L

➋ R R R R L L L L R R R R L L L L

➌ R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L

➍ R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
HOT TIP:
If you have problems playing
➎ R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L a line without mistakes, slow
down! If you practice it cor-
rectly at a slow tempo, you’ll
➏ R R L R L L R L R R L R L L R L learn it much quicker than by
making repeated mistakes.

➐ R L L R L R R L R L L R L R R L

➑ R R R L R R R L R R R L R R R L

➒ L L L R L L L R L L L R L L L R

➓ R L R L R R L L R L R L R R L L

Before we start reading music, here are a few musical terms you need to memorize: Essential
Musical Terms
Staff: Bar Lines: Measure:
5 4
4 3
3 2
2 1
1
5 lines and 4 spaces Divides the staff into measures Space between two bar lines

Double Bar: Quarter Note & Rest: Time Signature:

œ Œ 44
Marks the end of a section Tells when to play or rest Top number tells how many
beats are in one measure
Bottom number tells what kind
of note receives one beat

Don't miss out on the free videos for all the lessons in this book!
www.youtube.com/user/FreshApproachBooks +
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