( Ex 1)
Double Stroke Exercise « « «
====================== / 4 ˆ ˆ ˆ ≈ « « « « « « « « « «
ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ≈ « « « « « « « ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ l =”{
Right---------------------- Left----------------------- Hands Together---------
5. STRETCHING AND FLEXIBILITY Exercises to maintain elasticity and pliability while decreasing the chance of injury are part
======================== / of my routine. Nothing too fancy, but I’ m sometime during the week maintains my long works for me— and some or all of it might benefit
l l convinced they benefit both general health and my playing.
6. A BIT OF CHALLENGE Along with warm-ups and fundamentals, I usually invest time on material that will challenge my hands and brain, such as hybrid rudiments, grid sequences, rudiment variations, hertas, and old-school rudimental solos. Currently, I’ m powering through the classic collection, 14 Modern Contest Solos for Snare Drum, by John S. Pratt.
PLUS: Regular Run-Throughs Knocking out a double stroke roll for 60 seconds and a one-minute single stroke roll
roll endurance.
A weekly dose of rudiments helps maintain my percussion health.
It only takes about three minutes to breeze through all forty of the Percussive Arts Society International Drum Rudiments.
My little plan doesn’ t involve a big investment of time. I typically devote approximately 15-20 minutes to the Mark Maintenance Program. It
you. Develop your own plan and maintain what you’ ve got as you move forward.
© 2026 Mark Shelton Productions
Mark Shelton Mark Shelton is a freelance musician, educational consultant, and content creator based in Dallas / Fort Worth. Mark’ s percussion work has been heard with North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof Tango, Daystar Television, Boha Tribe, Gateway Worship, Stonebriar Church, Wichita Falls Orchestra, Victory Channel, Strata Big Band, TALEA, and Dallas Wind Symphony.
. www. marksheltonmusic. com www. percussionforworship. blogspot. com
Photo by Matthijs Smit on Unsplash
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