BPC Drummer's Forum - Birmingham Percussion Center

Diggadits, Double Beat, Diddlefest... it's been called many names by many different high school drumline instructors, but nearly every drummer has played the exercise at one point or another. The pattern is very familiar to most folks... it's the big drum fill in the Phil Collins tune Into the Air of the Night.

Check out the text and video versions of the exercise at:

http://www.birminghampercussioncenter.com/videos.htm

The video begins with the exercise being played on the snare drum as developing the strength and consistency of the hands is the main focus. I learned this exercise way back in middle school, and working it up over the years has had a tremendous impact on my playing. When I began playing drumset a few years back I continued using this exercise as a warmup for my hands, then I found a copy of this exercise split up around the kit. Since then it's been my favorite workout for independence and coordination. Of course I have a few funky variations I play around with... perhaps I'll teach'em to ya'z in a future video.

Ryan @ BPC