The aim of this lesson is to improve Co Ordination and Independence between the right hand and right foot by playing continuous runs of notes that alternate between the hands and feet. Being able to play exercises like this will allow you to use your feet in more creative ways, giving your playing a bit of an edge.
For the level 1 exercises you will start by playing crotchets. Beat 1 will be played on the snare and beat 2 on the kick and you will then repeat this pattern. Use the right hand for all snare notes. It looks like this:
Exercise 1
For this exercise it is absolutely vital that the quarter notes are played exactly in time, it can be quite easy to let some notes slip out with exercises like this. Use a metronome to ensure everything is exactly in time.
TASK
- Play this pattern until you can comfortably hit around 120bpm. Use the Two Minute Rule if necessary.
Exercise 2
We will then up the note values of the exercise to quavers. Remember, the most important thing is to keep the quaver notes even between the hand and foot.
TASK
- Play this pattern until you can comfortably play it at around 120bpm. Use the Two Minute Rule if necessary.
ADDITIONAL TASK
- Combine the two exercises to create a four bar pattern that you repeat over.
- Experiment with different combinations of limbs. For example: left hand and left foot or right hand and left foot.
In the level 2 version of these exercises there will be 8th note triplets and 16th notes as well as some use of the left side of the body.
