Drum Sweeps 2
Sweeping is a fairly straight forward concept. Introduction to Sweeps can be found here: Drum Sweeps.
Sweeping is the ability to move from one surface to another in the same down stroke, a technique that lends well to being able to play clean double strokes. Visualize that sweeping is like a broom, moving across a floor surface from point A to point B. On the drum set, sweeping will involve the movement across the drum set from one playing surface (drum head, cymbal, and percussion) to another playable surface.
From the introduction of Drum Sweeps, an example was shown (below):
The left hand played a double stroke on the snare drum, while the right hand played a double stroke between the floor tom and the snare drum.
Now to advance the skill and improve coordination, we’re going to replace the left hand double hit on the snare drum and move it to the bass drum.
Develop a slow-steady rhythm when practicing the sweep technique. Keep all of the double strokes clean and even. When first learning this technique, exaggerate the sweep hits on the surfaces by keeping the up-stroke high, once progressing in the sweep technique and picking up tempo the up stroke of the sweeping hand will become less dramatic and naturally become lower towards the playing surface.
Take the time to really get this technique perfected, don’t sweep across the drum surface have a clean, even double stroke between surfaces. The trick is to develop the muscle-memory necessary to feel the sweeping motion. Most drummers will find it is easier to play from the floor tom to the snare (toward the body) as away from the snare to the floor tom.
Using the Sweep as a fill. Introduction to fills can be found here: Creating A Believable Drum Fill.
Here is an example of using the Sweep just learned with the same fill written as 32nd notes. Slow down the tempo, it’s not about speed here – rather performance.
This is a great exercise for developing speed between the hands and feet as explained here: Develop Speed Between Hands and Feet.
