Preliminary Stroke Number Six: Tap Stroke

It is time for one more stroke exercise. This one is easy to overlook, so don't
think this is too simple. This stroke requires focused attention to detail and
complete mastery to make it a powerful asset and skill in your drumming
arsenal. 

It is called "Tap Stroke." A tap is a low unaccented note that drops into the
drumhead. Read through the steps below, watch the video, and master this
motion correctly - Then proceed to combining this tap stroke with the "Float
Stroke" motion covered earlier. These two strokes combine to give you the
ability to play accent patterns, and build the framework for ALL advanced
drumming. 

Until you master the material in this lesson - You will be holding yourself back
from becoming a truly great drummer.  SO DIG IN AND GO FOR IT!

Review the following information, then watch the Lesson Six Video for a full
demonstration

Four Steps to Master "Tap Stroke"

Step 1: Begin with your stick in rest position 2-1/2” to 3” above the head.

Step 2: Hold on to your sticks! Using your wrist, drop the bead of the stick to the
head. 

Step 3: As soon as the stick hits the head lift it quickly back to rest position.

Step 4: Repeat steps one and two creating a single fluid “down-up” motion.

Tips for Success: 

 The “down-up” motion should be quick, but relaxed.

 Use the weight of your stick and your hand to create a well supported
sound.
 Don’t “feather tap” the head – make good contact.
 Do not force our “push” the stick down, let gravity do the work.
 Do not lift the stick above rest position - The stick must GO DOWN FIRST,
then lift immediately back to rest position.
Combining the Tap Stroke and Float Stroke for Two-height Tap / Accent
Patterns

After mastering the "down-up" motion of tap stroke, it is time to create some
great drum beats by combining this motion with the float stroke to play Tap /
Accent combinations.

Follow the steps below: (Lower case letters denote tap height strokes, uppercase
letters denote a full accent height stroke.) 

1. down - up (tap stroke)

2. down - UP (tap stroke followed by a full upward motion stopping at accent
height.
3. down - UP - DOWN (tap stroke followed by a complete float stroke
stopping at rest position)
4. down - UP - DOWN - down - up (tap stroke, float stroke, tap stroke)

Now you can extend step #4 above by adding more taps to create Single-Hand Tap  /
Accent Patterns as in the exercise below. 

Be sure to watch the instruction video of all the above material. You will have a
clear picture of how to master these exercises and play these advanced drum
beats.

Both Hands - Accent Patterns and Grids

Now it's time to put our hands together:

The following exercises lead you through some of the tap / accent patterns that
can be used, modified and expanded to create incredible drum beats in any
genre. 

I promise you, they will take you to a new level as a drummer, no matter what
your goals are!

Things to Remember:

 Maintain the precision of the tap stroke, taps always go DOWN FIRST! 
 Keep the taps low smooth and even.
 Work for an effortless flow from the taps into the float stroke and back to
tap height again. 

16th Note Accent Pattern

Triplet Accent Pattern

16th Note Accent Grid (4-2-1)

Triplet Accent Grid 4-2-1

When you can really control your sticks and play low smooth taps combined
with fluid accents a whole new world of drumming opens up to you. The
drum beats, grooves, solos, fills and creative ideas you are able to play will
jump to a new level.

Master the motions and apply them to the exercises on this page. This truly
is one of the MOST IMPORTANT fundamental skills you must acquire to be a
world-class drummer!