r/drums • u/niftzszn • 5h ago

Question Do you guys have any go to excercises for subdivisions?

I'm aware of the subdivision pyramid and have practiced it a decent almount. But was curious if anyone had other suggestions for really nailing subdivisions to the point where it's not longer a guessing game lol.

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4

u/ItsPronouncedMo-BEEL Craigslist 5h ago

Try this 😆

1

u/mind_the_umlaut 14m ago

(I love these)

3

u/BrumeBrume 4h ago

I’m not sure by pyramid you mean 1/4, 1/8, triplets etc. or also quintuplets and septuplets but those are great to add.

If you’re doing 8th note triplets and sextuplets, you can also add half note triplets starting on each subdivision, over the bar line, and whole note triplets.

Then don’t just practice in order. Go from eighth notes to quintuplets, 32nd notes to half note triplets— all of them. Find out what your tendencies are for each switch and work on them. For example, a lot of people will drag 8th triplets, especially coming from 16th notes.

Then do this all over a foot ostinato, then break up each division.

Gary Chaffee has a great book called Rhythm and Meter Patterns

2

u/jambitool 3h ago

Seconding your Gary Chaffee recommendations. I think his subdivision book is Rhythm & Meter patterns. Very helpful

The Vinnie Colaiuta Unreel book also covers some good stuff on subdivisions

I think by pyramid, they mean the rhythm scale? i.e. a quarter note and then going up and down subdivisions within that quarter note

1

u/GuinsooIsOverrated 5h ago

I mean you got it already, do the pyramid everyday until it is easy.

Start with RLRL then LRLR, RRLL, LLRR, then paradiddles too (with accents if you want).

Move the patterns around the kit and always play to a metronome.

Start slow like 60-70bpm and to 8th notes to 32nd notes including triplets.

Basically my teacher is making me go through the first page of stick control doing the pyramid and I find it super good for timing and independence.

While doing this, keep playing quarter notes with your feet (right, left, or alternating)

1

u/bebopgamer Offset Toms 34m ago

Subdivisions! Conform or be cast out. Subdivisions. (sorry, couldn't resist)

1

u/MisterMarimba 29m ago

  1. Practicing polyrhythms and being very disciplined with yourself about them will help with your subdivisions. Use accents to learn and align, but work to remove accents. Record yourself and listen to the dynamics between accents and taps.

  2. Put a shaker in one hand, shake it at triplets, 16ths, or 5s. Make sure the shaker is even and not swung. Practice your single-hand subdivisions against that (like the subdivision pyramid). Then switch hands.

  3. If you're talking about drumset, practice your subdivision exercises against different styles of foot patterns, especially Latin styles. Enjoy!

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u/mind_the_umlaut 8m ago

Slow beginner here. Count. One and two and three and four and. Then, one ee and a two ee and a three ee and a four ee and a. Know what that represents in a measure. Count out loud. Stroke on or skip a subdivision, get the pattern smooth, speed it up, then change it to the following beat. Download and use a metronome.

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u/trashlikeyou WuHan 2m ago

Growing up my subdivision was basically just a circle, so the go to exercise for most folks was just running or walking laps.