John Hargis

Teacher   Drummer   Composer     (253) 273-3716

Student Exercises


Rudiments
New students still learning to read music will benefit greatly by visiting these links. They contain audio and video examples of the 40 Essential Rudiments every drummer should know. Provided courtesy of Vic Firth, many of these rudiments are found on the lesson handout labeled Rudiments. In order to hear the examples you must have the Quicktime player and plugin installed on your computer. You can download it free from Apple's website.

Single-Stroke Roll

Double-Stroke Roll

Paradiddle

Single Stroke Four

Single Stroke Seven

Double Paradiddle

Paradiddle-diddle

Flams

Flam Accent

Flam Tap

Inverted Flam Tap

Flam Paradiddle

Flammed Mill

Drag (Ruff)

Flam Paradiddle-diddle

Lesson 25

Dragadiddle

Single Ratamacue

Double Ratamacue

Vic Firth Podcast

Other Lesson Handouts
Over the course of their lessons students are given a variety of supplementary materials to accompany the textbooks. Each can be downloaded as a PDF file by clicking on the appropriate link below:

Rudiments (Right-handed)

Rudiments (Left-handed)

Rudiment Distribution (Right-handed)

Rudiment Distribution (Left-handed)

Brain Salad (Right-handed)

Brain Salad (Left-handed)

Double Bass Drum

Practice Circle
A visual guide to help new students organize their practice time

Practice Log
To track a students weekly practice habits. The weekly goal is 3 hours, which includes their time spent in weekly lessons as well as recreational drumming!

"Worldly" Links of Interest

Think Globally, Buy Locally
A thoughtful essay written by John Hargis on the dangers of big-box-store-type purchasing

West Campus Music Center
Serving the needs of band and orchestra students in Federal Way

McLain Music
Serving the needs of band and orchestra students in Gig Harbor

Drummer World
Provides a comprehensive index of the world's greatest drummers

Vic Firth
Leaders of percussion education and resources for students

Harmony Central
Provides product reviews written by musicians for musicians

Modern Drummer
The world's #1 drumming magazine

Woodstick
Be a part of history by helping set the new world record for most drummers performing at the same time! Sponsored by Donn Bennett Drum Studio in Bellevue