One of the effects on me of the recent death of Paul Phillips is to help me to appreciate what I have, life and playing the drum. Paul was so good about sharing his enthusiasm for the drum that it has helped me to get some of mine back. Part of that is starting to practice again, doing rudiments. I've been visiting the rudiment page here at Bodojo, and using a book from my childhood, George Stones Stick Control for the Snare Drummer. I just substitute D/U for R/L and there's no limit to the number of exercises I have. I wonder if any of the Forum members are using a similar book, or even the same book. Its the book my brother started me on some40 or more years ago. Thanks to Paul Phillips for inspiring my growth. Anybody using a similar method? Steve Brown

Hey Steve - Great topic!

I don't have Stone's Stick Control but I know it is recommended widely as the rudimentary 'bible' for many years.

I have found working through snare drum grading exercises to have been fun. The Grade 1 snare book is something that most drummers should find accessible after learning a modicum of simple patterns. Don't be afraid of the dots, single line 1/8 note is easy to learn and very relevant to the bodhran player. It was a very satisfying challenge as a non reader to read and play the piece at the end of the grade 1 :)

I do stress that these kinds of exercises are directed not toward learning patterns but really about developing technical skills and control over the Tipper. Once a drummer has those skills in their hands they can play anything that can be imagined. Practise too with dynamics, loudness of stroke. I also recommend a metronome to keep you tight. Here's a free online metronome it is also linked from the bodojo rudiments pages. Improving technical skills improves all aspects of our playing

Paul