The book Speed is of No Concern is suitable for both right-handed and left-handed drummers. The notation of the grooves is fairly simple, as long as you know which of your feet is stronger (lead foot) and which is weaker (second foot). A right-handed drummer has a stronger right foot, a left-hander has more control over the left foot.
It is essential to give special attention to your weaker foot! The emphasis in this book is on playing mixed patterns rather than continious bass drum figures.
This means the rhythmic figures are divided among the different elements of the drumset.
The exercises are intended to develop a greater and more effortless independence between the different limbs. The basic principle of the exercises in this book is: what you play with your hands, you should also be able to play
with your feet!
This automatically means that the order for the hands is also the order for the feet. The alternating motion of the single-stroke roll —R L R L— etc. is the foundation of this.
A good balance between the various elements of the drumsetis very important.
Try to play the snare drum, hi-hat and ride cymbals as convincingly as the bass drum.
Practice the grooves in a slow tempo to start, then gradually increase the speed. Do not move too quickly from one exercise to the next.You will find that it takes some time before a groove begins to sound good. Always remember:
SPEED IS OF NO CONCERN!
Break a leg!!
Marcel van Weerdenburg