Whether you’re warming up before a gig or woodshedding to strengthen your chops, a Roland V-Drums kit offers a wealth of advantages for your practice routine. You may be practicing in headphones with your TD-17 or getting primed to shoot a video using the TD-50. Regardless of the scenario, drum phenomenon Anika Nilles’ go-to exercises will help build precision, timing, and more.
Transition Between Note Values on the Snare
The goal of this snare exercise is to play a transition between different note values while adding a note to a specific sticking. This opens up the capability to switch between the different subdivisions quickly and easily.
The routine begins with a paradiddle sticking in four, before moving into a quintuplet paradiddle. From there, it shifts over to a double paradiddle sticking. The key concept here is to stay right on time with the different subdivisions. As a bonus, strive to make your ghost notes as expressive and nuanced as possible.
"Orchestrating different variations shows off the versatility of a simple rhythmic pattern."
Move Full-Kit Patterns Around
This full-kit pattern is built around a group of three. Simply accent each third note in a specific subdivision and bring this into the musical phrase. The routine shows how important dynamics are in creating melodic phrases. Orchestrating different variations shows off the versatility of a simple rhythmic pattern. Try moving the pattern to different combinations of drums and see how its feel changes.
Improve Time with 8th-Note Offbeats
The goal here is to make the metronome your friend. The click should feel like an instrument playing together with you. Shifting the click to the 8th-note offbeat is a good first step to improve playing precision. To do this, shift the click to the 16th-note offbeat. Make sure you’re at one with the metronome by starting at a speed that’s comfortable for you.
Explore Some Fancy Footwork
Getting control over fast doubles with a single pedal is something you can easily train yourself to do. As with the snare, a V-Drums kick pad like the KD-10 provides a very natural rebound feel, which is key to improving foot dexterity. Start from 16th-note doubles and progress over to doubles and 16th-note triplets. Eventually, after conquering those, try moving onto 32nd-notes. All variations utilize the same technique, so focus on your timing and consistency.
"The goal is to make the metronome your friend. The click should feel like an instrument playing together with you."
Deepen Your Groove with Time Check
Certain V-Drums features are unique, like the time check function. This is a great tool to check your inner clock and helpful to develop your meter. In this mode, while you’re playing a groove, the click will mute intermittently. You’ll have to keep time as you would on stage with a band. As you go, check your accuracy.
Get Tight with Your Hi-hats
Spending some quality time with just your hi-hats is a great way to get yourself out of a creative drum rut. Set your click to a BPM that feels natural, perhaps even a little slower than your initial instinct. Then, as with the foot exercise above, try moving from 8th to 16th and eventually 32nd-notes. As you get comfortable, challenge yourself to slip open hats in at alternating slots—from the one to the two and so on.
Bash or Bliss Out Using Bluetooth
When looking for inspiration, it never hurts to jam along with some greats. Trade fills with Steve Gadd and Billy Cobham or rock an arena with Imagine Dragons or Muse. All this and more are possible with Bluetooth via smartphone or tablet. You can immediately start playing along with your favorites or even watch instructional videos.
"Your V-Drums warmup routine is a time to shut out the world, get focused, and become one with your kit."
Design Your Personal Routine
As with all disciplines, creating your unique flow is the most important piece of the puzzle. Start the V-Drums warmups above and then integrate some exercises of your own. Or, double down on the ones that best suit your needs at the moment. Ultimately, your drum warmup routine is a time to shut out the world, get focused, and become one with your kit. So, get after it.
