Here’s a collection of simple exercises for developing doubles, mainly to save myself the effort of typing OMG DO THIS AND THIS AND THIS every time someone on the internet asks about it, which is often. These were all very effective for me, learning ot play powerful doubles around age 14-15.
The technique I recommend is a simple wrist stroke— move the stick up and down two times with your hand. A controlled grip— all fingers on the stick, stick against the palm of your hand— will make it easier to relax, and it gives you full control of your doubles through a full range of playing tempos. I don’t recommend the finger technique that’s popular in a lot of YouTube videos— I don’t personally know any professional players who use it, and I get a lot of students coming to me trying and failing to do it.
Exercise 6 is especially of interest. Play it slow to fast, for at least five minutes per hand. Start with pure wrist, as you go faster, you can introduce a little arm motion— lifting your forearm during the rebound on the second note of the double.
9 and 10 are important as drag/roll vocabulary, but also to encourage working them up to a practical performance tempo. You can put them in 4/4 by doubling the length of each measure. I also recommend learning the piece Three Camps, and practicing that everyday.
I am happy to help you with any of the materials on the site, and with anything else drumming related— contact me for private lessons, online world wide, or in person in Portland, Oregon. All levels of players, and all people, are welcome.
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