Quick thing before we start — last Sunday I finally launched the 7-Day Double Strokes Xcelerator course, and the feedback so far has been amazing.
I’ve continued to make small improvements this week, so if you haven’t checked it out yet, you can do so
here. And if you’ve already jumped in — thank you! 🙏🏻
Anyway — on with today’s topic.
Even after years of playing professionally, I still absolutely love practising. It’s one of my favourite parts of the day. In this week’s Backbeat Bulletin, I want to give you an inside look at my exact daily routine that I’m working on to keep my hands n tip top shape right now.
For a lot of drummers, the idea of practice can feel like a chore — repetitive, frustrating, even boring. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
We’ve all sat at the kit or pad thinking, “What the hell am I gonna practise today?” I’ve been there too.
During the pandemic, like most musicians, I couldn’t play live. I didn’t have a full kit at home — just a pad — so those two-hour gigs that normally kept my hands strong disappeared overnight. I thought it wouldn’t matter much… until my first gig back.
Halfway through the first set, my right hand cramped up just playing simple eighth notes on the hi-hat. That had never happened before. I’ve studied technique for years with teachers who were masters of the Moeller system, so pain wasn’t something I was used to.
That’s when it hit me — I was out of shape. That period of no practice had caught up with me.
The following week, I had more gigs booked, and I knew I couldn’t go through that again. I needed to rebuild my hands with sustained, regular, and progressive practice.
I realised there are two main types of practice:
1. Progressive Practice — the kind that pushes your playing to new levels of speed, creativity, and endurance.
2. Maintenance Practice — what keeps your playing in shape, but doesn’t necessarily move you forward.
That week, I practised on the pad for one to two hours a day, every day. By the weekend, my hands felt so much better. No more cramp, no more panic — just solid, controlled playing.
That experience completely reignited my love for practice and shaped the routine I still use today.
Right now, my hands and overall playing feel in the best shape of my career.
The number one key? Consistency.
You’ve heard it before, but it’s true: Consistency is everything.
Even just 15–20 minutes, five times a week will transform your playing if you stick to it.
Make a deal with yourself to practise regularly. Write it down. Treat it like a gig — non-negotiable.
(This section focuses only on hands — perfect for pad practice or when you don’t have access to a kit.)
The full session takes around 20–45 minutes depending on tempo and rest between exercises.
1. Warm-Up 1 – Full Strokes (2–3 mins)
Slow, relaxed full strokes from 90°, one hand at a time. Focus on smooth motion and loosening the wrists.
2. Warm-Up 2 – Light Stickings (2–3 mins)
Play slow combinations of stickings — doesn’t matter which — just focus on relaxation and dynamic range.
3. Speed Builder 1 – Singles, Doubles, Paradiddles (10 mins)
Start at 75 BPM, playing 32nd notes at tap-stroke height, no accents.
Aim for smooth, even strokes as you gradually increase speed up to 110 BPM.
4. Speed Builder 2 – Finger Exercises (4 mins)
At 75 BPM, play eighth notes with one hand for 2 minutes, then switch.
Follow with a 2-minute finger-only single stroke roll at 32nd notes.
Focus on smoothness and control — target around 110 BPM.
5. Speed Builder 3 – Paradiddle Combos (10 mins)
Alternate single, double, and paradiddle-diddle patterns, accenting the first note of each.
Start at 75 BPM and aim to reach 110 BPM or higher.
These exercises rebuild endurance, control, and hand strength. The final minutes — when you push towards failure — are where the real progress happens.
Always warm up first. Never dive into high-intensity work cold, and stop if you feel pain.
• Warm-Up 1: 2–3 mins full strokes, one hand at a time
• Warm-Up 2: 2–3 mins gentle combinations, exploring dynamics
• Speed Builder 1: Singles, doubles, and paradiddles – 75–110 BPM+
• Speed Builder 2: Finger control drills – 75–110 BPM
• Speed Builder 3: Paradiddle variations – 75–110 BPM+
This pad-only routine is what brought my hands back to life after months of not practising — and it still keeps them sharp today.
If you commit to this four times a week, you’ll feel huge improvements in speed, control, and comfort at the kit.
I still hit plateaus now and then (we all do), but consistency always wins. Keep showing up, keep pushing, and your hands will thank you for it.
Until next time,
Jules
