PERCUSSION
THE POWER OF REVIEW | Mark Shelton
Review is preferred over relearning.
Developing percussion skills takes time and effort. Learning grooves, scales, rudiments, and fills also takes time and effort. After skills and repertoire are stored in hands and head, simple neglect can undermine technique and memory. Without review and maintenance, extra time and effort might be required to relearn— and that’ s a drag.
It’ s tempting to ignore previously covered material, but a few minutes of routine checkup is a wise investment. In this article, I have listed several areas to consider for regular review.
1. SINGLE STROKE ROLL Alternating single strokes evenly between the two hands is among the most fundamental drumming skills. That ability in turn forms the basis for performing a single stroke roll. It’ s not surprising to find the single stroke roll occupying the number one position on The Percussive Arts Society’ s listing of forty drum rudiments!
Once developed, maintain your single stroke prowess by routinely playing a one-minute roll.
2. DOUBLE STROKE ROLL Playing two notes rapidly with one hand is another of the basic aspects of drumming. Mastery of this technique includes the ability to string together a series of double strokes( a. k. a. diddles) into a roll. Maintain your diddle skills and endurance by playing a double stroke roll for 60 seconds once a week.
3. RUDIMENTS Although rudiments are often associated with marching percussion, the rudiments are not exclusive to drum lines. Whether your principal percussion outlet is hand drumming or you prefer drum set, a working knowledge of basic rudiments will enhance your drumming skills and add to your creative arsenal.
Download a copy of The Percussive Arts Society International Drum Rudiments and play through the list frequently. Once you become proficient, you can burn through all forty rudiments in under three minutes.
I know— Tuesday is MY rudiment day.
4. MAJOR SCALES Most of the music in Western culture is organized around key centers. With that stated, maintaining your knowledge of key signatures is important if keyboard percussion is part of your duties. A periodic run-through of all twelve major scales will assist you in keeping a grasp on both major and natural minor key signatures. You can run all twelve major scales ascending and descending two octaves at a moderate tempo in about 90 seconds.
5. CHROMATIC SCALE Tricky licks can come at you in half-steps— starting on any note. Keep a check on your chromatic chops by running the twelve tones up and down over a three-octave range. Play the scale starting with the right hand and a second time beginning with the left hand. At a modest tempo, it will only take about half a minute.
6. CREATE Take the freedom and fun of improvisation into your practice sessions on a regular basis. Experiment with different time signatures, make up melodies built on exotic scales, create a polyrhythmic pattern, play outside of metric restrictions, or you can simply improvise within your comfort zone. Just play around on an instrument and make something up for about three minutes.
7. YOUR STUFF Keep a list of repertoire and skills you want to maintain and run through the list periodically.
BONUS: LISTEN Musicians invest countless hours in practicing, performing, and songwriting, but active listening often takes a backseat. There is a difference between the passive listening to music( while washing the car or cleaning the house) and active listening, which requires more focus. Find some time every week to enjoy some active listening.
Review does not have to be boring. Be creative— spice things up!
• Play the one-minute single stroke roll VERY softly.
• Run scales with one hand.
• Use different grips as you review the rudiments.
Based on the estimated time required for Suggestions 1-6, it is possible to complete all six in a little over ten minutes. Add in listening attentively to a three-minute song, and you’ re only investing about a quarter of an hour. Check your schedule and find the time. Review is preferred over relearning.
© 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 the North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof Tango, Daystar Television, Gateway Worship, Stonebriar Church, Wichita Falls Orchestra, Victory Channel, Strata Big Band, TALEA, and Dallas Wind Symphony.
. www. marksheltonmusic. com www. percussionforworship. blogspot. com 94 May 2026 Subscribe for Free...