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Randy Briggs is a Music Education Major at University of Arkansas, as well
as the percussion instructor at Encounter Studios located in Fort Smith
Arkansas. He is the author of two instructional books one of which is
scheduled for publication. While in highschool, among countless other awards
and contests, he won the DCI World's Fastest Hands Competition, NAMM's
World's Fastest Drummer Competition, and placed first in the PASIC Tenor
Solo competition. He is a DCI veteran and a HansenFutz
endorser.
In order to hone his abilities, Randy developed and used the following exercise. Randy explains it in detail here:
Relaxersize instructions:
Begin by playing quarter notes at 100bpm. Play 8 on each hand. Feel any
tension? Let's hope not. This is the exact sensation that you should strive
for during each repetition of the exercise. When you feel that you have
broken through a tempo barrier check back to this starting point to compare
the tension at the different tempos.
Start the exercise at 80bpm playing a legato stroke (never stopping the
stick). Play at a near full wrist extension with palms facing down while
utilizing mostly the wrist.
IMPORTANT: while playing the exercise focus entirely on turning your arm
into jello, or a noodle, or filling your wrists with air (whichever works
for you). When both arms have melted then you can move up to the next tempo.
Your weak arm will require more repetition, so give it some extra time and
be patient.
There will be barriers around 170-200 and basically from 200 and up is a
brick wall if you maintain your heights.
-Use mostly wrist
-Use legato stroke
-Do not increase the next tempo until your arm feels like the very first
tempo of 80bpm
-Relaxation is coordination. It must be learned through muscle memory and
correct repetitions at all tempos.
At certain tempos and heights it is impossible to be without tension. The
idea of the exercise is to physically minimize the tension from shoulder to
fingertips. 8's at 250 will not feel like 8's at 150, but it should feel as
close as possible.
Have fun and keep drumming!
Randy Briggs
For a scripted notation of Randy's exercise in pdf form click here.
Besides being one of the fastest drummers in the world Randy is also an accomplished set player.
Check out his great chops on the kit:
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