Please use the following video as a guide to outline all areas required for the technical exercises segment of the Grade 4 drum exam. This video will outline the correct speeds for each aspect and outline how many repeats each section has.
Key Facts
- The technical exercises section is split into 6 areas (single and double stroke, single paradiddles, triple paradiddles, flams and ruffs, hands and foot pattens, and lastly fills)
- The desired speed for sections A, B, C is 75BPM. Then 80BPM for section D.
- All sections showing Coda’s are to be repeated twice.
- These technical exercises are all in the time of 4/4 time signature.
- Students are allowed to take a break between each section / the drum fills section. It’s not mandatory to continue playing one after another.
Theory
Flams are a technical exercise where the drummer plays 2 notes very close to one another. For example, think of a horse trotting.
A left hand flam means that the left hand hits last. Therefore, a right hand flam means that the right hand hits last.
Triplets are a simple exercise where the drums are played and counted in groups of 3. For example, the notes are played 1triplet, 2triplet, 3triplet and so on. Close together. If you play the notes how the words above are presented, you will play them correctly.
Drags are when a note is stretched across three hits. I.e., 2x left hand quiet notes, followed by 1x louder hit. I.e., LLR.
The use of drags often create a marching band feel and are used in technical exercises from Grade 3 all the way up to Grade 8.
A ruff is 4 consecutive hits very close together. Commonly shown in 32nd notation. As a result, it’s played very fast and commonly with an accented note at the end as shown in the image attached to the right.
You’ll notice in the image also that ‘ruffs’ as shown in the image can be lead either R or L starting. Same as a flam, a Right handed ruff, ends on the right. Left handed ruff, ends on the Left.
If you feel comfortable with the above information, please click ‘mark as complete’ and move onto the next section.
