Integrated Warm Ups
Each warm up package contains 7 warm-ups specially written and constructed for the assigned level, plus the bonus warm up, "In The Zone". Each package is designed to be a complete warm session, covering all the techniques necessary to prepare a group for rehearsal. Below are sound samples as well as a brief description of each warm up. Please choose between beginning, intermediate and advanced level. All warm ups (except "In The Zone") are also available for purchase individually. All warm ups are copyright protected. To purchase music by check or pay pal, contact LDM
Beginning Package
The Beginning Package includes all 7 beginning warm ups, plus the bonus warm up, "In The Zone".
Price: $100
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
This music is designed for the drumline with little competition experience. It could be a new program just starting out, with a large contingency of non-percussionists, or perhaps the instructor might be new to teaching. It could be a middle school, or a program taught by the band director.
1. U 8 My 8s (beg)
This is a "stretch out the wrists" exercise consisting of patterns of 8 measures of 8th notes, that is usually played at the beginning of a warm up session.
Pit - This is a 2 mallet octave warm up that utilizes the diatonic major scale, changing notes on the half note, then the quarter note, then the 8th note. It should be used to stretch out the wrists and establish technique and listening at the beginning of a rehearsal. The accessory part is written on a conga drum, but can be played on a tom-tom, timbale, or even a drum pad.
Battery - This is a basic "8-on-a-hand" exercise which practices starting with both the right and left hands. The bass drum part begins with 8 notes per drum, then goes to 4 notes per drum, then 2, then finishes with a split 8th note pattern. The cymbal part is written as "hi-hats", but could be played with a variety of different sound techniques.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
2. Vanilla Shake (beg)
This is a basic "4's, 3's & 2's" exercise that is commonly usde in some incarnation or another, hence the title. It switches time signatures from 4/4 to 3/4 to 2/4. This exercise should be played slow to work tempo control.
Pit - This exercise practices the chromatic scale with the vibraphone playing in octaves while the marimba part offers a 4 mallet part for more experienced players. The accessory part is written on a conga drum, but can be played on a tom-tom, timbale, or even a drum pad.
Battery - This starts as an accent/tap exercise, then changes to a "2-height" exercise, and ends as a crescendo/decrescendo exercise. The battery should put extra emphasis on controlling the low tap after each accent. The cymbal part is written as "hi-hats", but could be played with a variety of different sound techniques.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
3. In The Zone (Bonus Warm up)
This is a 16th note listening exercise to establish an ensemble sound. It is usually the first "hands together" exercise of the warm up sequence.
Pit - This is a 2-mallet exercise to practice getting an even sound and balance from all players. It goes through a series of familiar children's songs before ending with a "5 over 4" pattern on a familiar tune.
Battery - This is a 16th note accent/tap exercise that is designed to practice controlling the taps after the accents and building a strong ensemble sound.
(Not available for individual purchase)
4. Funky Monkey
This is a 16 note warm up concentrating on 16th note patterns in the major scale and accent/taps with paradiddles.
Pit - This is a combination of octave rhythms and 16th note pattens up and down the major scale, starting with both hands. The accessory part is written on a conga drum, but can be played on a tom-tom, timbale, or even a drum pad.
Battery - This exercise alternates between simple 16th note accent/tap patterns and paradiddle patterns. The cymbal part is written as "hi-hats", and crashes, but could be played with a variety of different sound techniques.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
5. Singles Prep
This exercise is designed to build the dexterity and control needed to play "singles" (16th note triplets / single stoke rolls).
Pit - This warm up builds the chromatic scale by first playing 16 note and triplet chromatic runs with one hand first, then adding in the other hand. It includes both ascending and descending scales, starting with both the right and left hands. The accessory part is written on a 2 conga drums, but it can be played on a tom-toms, timbales, or even a drum pad.
Battery - This warm begins with 16th note and triplet single patterns with one hand omitted, then it then ads in the other hand. It is always played in two reps, one with right hand lead one with left hand lead. The cymbal part is written as "hi-hats", but could be played with a variety of different sound techniques.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
6. Wrigley's
This is a "double beat" exercise that works the major scale and 16th note syncopations.
Pit - This is a 2-mallet exercise that goes up and down the major scale in 16th note syncopated rhythms, starting with both hands. The accessory part can be played on any non-pitched instrument.
Battery - This works the rebound stroke, one hand at a time to prepare the hands to play open rolls. The cymbal part is written as "hi-hats", but could be played with a variety of different sound techniques.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
7. Checkers
This is a major scale / roll warm up.
Pit - This is a simple diatonic major scale 16th note exercise that can be played with a "right hand lead" or a "left hand lead". Alternating between both would be ideal. The vibraphone part offers an easier 8th note pattern for less experienced players. The accessory percussion part provides a rhythmic foundation with a conga / tambourine part that provides both time and a fun groove to play along to with .
Battery - This is an open roll exercise that utilizes "high", "low" and crescendo rolls. The first bar should be played "up", while the 2nd bar should be played with an "accent/tap" approach to the heights. The rolls in the 3rd and 4th bars should be crescendos, but not overplayed at the top.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
8. Flam Initiation
This exercise is in 12/8 time and works 8th note and 16th note rhythms in the pit, while training the battery to play flam accents.
Pit - This exercise works 8th note and dotted 8th note rhythms in 12/8 alternates between both diatonic and chromatic scales. It has a 2-mallet part and a 4-mallet part for more experienced players. The accessory part is written on a conga drum, but can be played on a tom-tom, timbale, or even a drum pad.
Battery -This is a training exercise for playing flam accents. It starts with a right hand only flam accent pattern that then adds in the left hand. Then it works the left hand only before playing both hands together again. The cymbal part is written as "hi-hats" and "taps", but could be played with a variety of different sound techniques.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
Intermediate Package
The Intermediate Package includes all 7 intermediate warm ups, plus the bonus warm up, "In The Zone".
Price: $100
To purchase or request more information contact LDMMost groups fall into this category. This is the drumline with some experience and ability. There is usually at least 1 percussion instructor. The ability level might vary from section to section. The group might have some winter/indoor experience.
1. U 8 My 8s (int)
This is a "stretch out the wrists" exercise consisting of patterns of 8 measures of 8th notes, that is usually played at the beginning of a warm up session.
Pit - This is a 2-mallet octave warm up that utilizes the diatonic major scale, changing notes on the half note, then the quarter note, then the 8th note. It should be used to stretch out the wrists and establish technique and listening at the beginning of a rehearsal. The accessory part is written on a conga drum, but can be played on a tom-tom, timbale, or even a drum pad.
Battery - This is a basic "8-on-a-hand" exercise that features a "8-8-7-7-6-6-5-5-4-4-3-2" sticking pattern for the snares and tenors, starting with both the right and left hands. It then reverts to a "1-3-4-4-5-5-6-6-7-7-8-8" sticking pattern, also starting with both hands. The bass drum part begins switching drums on the half note, then quarter note, then 8th note, adding in 16th notes and 16th note triplets at the end. The cymbal part is written as "hi-hats", but could be played with a variety of different sound techniques.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
2. Vanilla Shake (int)
This is a basic "4's, 3's & 2's" exercise that is commonly used, hence the title. (But there are a few extra "goodies" added in the intermediate version) .It switches time signatures from 4/4 to 3/4 to 2/4 to 7/8 to 5/8 to 5/4. This exercise should be played slow to work tempo control.
Pit - This exercise practices the chromatic scale with the vibraphone playing in octaves while the marimba part offers a 4 mallet part for more experienced players. The accessory part is written on a conga drum, but can be played on a tom-tom, timbale, or even a drum pad.
Battery - This starts as an accent/tap exercise, then changes to a "2-height" exercise, and ends as a crescendo/decrescendo exercise. The cymbal part is written as "hi-hats", but could be played with a variety of different sound techniques. The battery should put extra emphasis on controlling the low tap after each accent.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
3. In The Zone (Bonus Warm Up)
This is a 16th note listening exercise to establish an ensemble sound. It is usually the first "hands together" exercise of the warm up sequence.
Pit - This is a 2-mallet exercise to practice getting an even sound and balance from all players. It goes through a series of familiar children's songs before ending with a "5 over 4" pattern on a familiar tune.
Battery - This is a 16th note accent/tap exercise that is designed to practice controlling the taps after the accents and building a strong ensemble sound.
(Not available for individual purchase)
4. Celtics (int)
This exercise began as a tribute to the classic exercise "Boston", hence the title. It serves as a minor chord exercise and an accent / tap exercise in 12/8.
Pit - This exercise is in C minor and utilizes root position block chords in the marimba and piano parts. The accessory percussion part provides a rhythmic foundation with a conga / tambourine part that provides both time and a fun groove to play along to with.
Battery - This exercise is an accent / tap exercise that also works syncopation and listening. Special care should be taken with lining up the "feet" for the players to understand and perform the syncopated 12/8 rhythms.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
5. Cold Cut Combo
This is a combination double beat / 4 mallet blues exercise.
Pit - The chords in the C7 Blues progression are rhythmically syncopated to line up with the battery rhythms, but could also be played to a 'click' or even a stick click. It has a 2-handed octave vibraphone part and a more difficult 4-mallet marimba part.
Battery - This is a double beat warm up to get the hands ready to play some open rolls. The first 4 bars should be played "all up", while the last 4 bars should utilize a "2-height" accent/tap approach. Be careful not to rush the triplets at the end.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
6. Checkers
This is a major scale / roll warm up.
Pit - This is a simple diatonic major scale 16th note exercise that can be played with a "right hand lead" or a "left hand lead". Alternating between both would be ideal. The vibraphone part offers an easier 8th note pattern for less experienced players. The accessory percussion part provides a rhythmic foundation with a conga / tambourine part that provides both time and a fun groove to play along to with .
Battery - This is an open roll exercise that utilizes "high", "low" and crescendo rolls. The first bar should be played "up", while the 2nd bar should be played with an "accent/tap" approach to the heights. The rolls in the 3rd and 4th bars should be crescendos, but not overplayed at the top.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
7. Singlage
This is an intermediate level 16th note triplet exercise.
Pit - This exercise works 16th note triplets in the chromatic and diatonic scales. The accessory part is written for a low tom / conga and mounted tambourine combination, but can be played with a variety of different non-pitched instruments.
Battery - This exercise works 16th note triplets in groupings of 3, 6 and 12, starting with both the right and left hands. It ends with a forte piano single stroke roll into a crescendo triple stroke roll.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
8. BMT (Big Meaty Tasty) (int)
This warm up continues my "Subway Sandwich" theme, and is a combination arpeggio / flam exercise.
Pit - This exercise is for practicing arpeggios in a chromatic scale. The marimba part works the arpeggios in an "up-down" mode, while the vibraphone part offers a slightly easier part for less experienced players. The timpani part supports the mallet parts and the battery parts, while the auxiliary percussion part plays a 12/8 clave pattern on cowbell that both provides an interesting rhythmic support to the keyboard 8th notes while providing an interesting counterpoint to the battery rhythms.
Battery - This exercise is designed to be an intermediate flam warm up for the snares and tenors to introduce and utilize flam accents, swiss triplets, flam taps, inverted flam taps ("inverts") and pataflaflas.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
Advanced Package
The Advanced Package includes all 7 advanced warm ups, plus the bonus warm up, "In The Zone".
Price: $100
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
This is the very experienced group with lots of ability. It could perhaps be a drum corps, college or very successful high school program. These groups usually have WGI/DCI/BOA/ experience and success.
1. U 8 My 8s (adv)
This is a "stretch out the wrists" exercise consisting of patterns of 8 measures of 8th notes, that is usually played at the beginning of a warm up session.
Pit - This is a 2 mallet octave and 4-mallet warm up that utilizes the diatonic major scale, changing notes on the half note, then the quarter note, then the 8th note.. It should be used to stretch out the wrists and establish technique and listening at the beginning of a rehearsal. The accessory part is written on a conga drum, but can be played on a tom-tom, timbale, or even a drum pad.
Battery - This is a basic "8-on-a-hand" exercise that features a "8-7-6-5-4-3-1-4-5-6-7-8" sticking pattern for the snares and tenors, starting with both the right and left hands. It then reverts to a "1-3-4-5-6-7-8-8-7-6-5-4" sticking pattern, also starting with both hands. The bass drum part begins with a split 8th note pattern, that turns to 16th notes and then 16th note triplets. It then uses combinations of both until ending with 32nd notes. The cymbal part is written as "hi-hats", but could be played with a variety of different sound techniques.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
2. In The Zone (Bonus Warm Up)
This is a 16th note listening exercise to establish an ensemble sound. It is usually the first "hands together" exercise of the warm up sequence.
Pit - This is a 2-mallet exercise to practice getting an even sound and balance from all players. It goes through a series of familiar children's songs before ending with a "5 over 4" pattern on a familiar tune.
Battery - This is a 16th note accent/tap exercise that is designed to practice controlling the taps after the accents and building a strong ensemble sound.
(Not available for individual purchase)
3. Cold Cut Combo Deluxe
This is a combination double beat / 4 mallet blues exercise.
Pit - The chords in the C7 Blues progression are rhythmically syncopated to line up with the battery rhythms, but could also be played to a 'click' or even a stick click. It has a 2-handed octave vibraphone part and a more difficult 4-mallet marimba part.
Battery - This is a double beat warm up to get the hands ready to play some open rolls. The first 8 bars should be played "all up", while the last 8 bars should utilize a "2-height" accent/tap approach.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
4. Checkers
This is a major scale / roll warm up.
Pit - This is a simple diatonic major scale 16th note exercise that can be played with a "right hand lead" or a "left hand lead". Alternating between both would be ideal. The vibraphone part offers an easier 8th note pattern for less experienced players. The accessory percussion part provides a rhythmic foundation with a conga / tambourine part that provides both time and a fun groove to play along to with .
Battery - This is an open roll exercise that utilizes "high", "low" and crescendo rolls. The first bar should be played "up", while the 2nd bar should be played with an "accent/tap" approach to the heights. The rolls in the 3rd and 4th bars should be crescendos, but not overplayed at the top.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
5. Celtics (adv)
This exercise began as a tribute to the classic exercise "Boston", hence the title. It serves as a minor chord exercise and an accent / tap / roll / diddle exercise in 12/8.
Pit - This exercise follows a C minor scale and utilizes both 2 and 4-mallet parts. The vibraphone part works the minor arpeggios in a 2 mallet "up-down" mode, while the marimba part is designed to work on 4-mallet independence, utilizing an "inner, inner, outer, outer" pattern. The accessory percussion part provides a rhythmic foundation with a conga / tumba part that provides both time and a fun groove to play along to.
Battery - This is a tap roll exercise that also works syncopation and listening. There are no flams in this exercise to allow for extreme tempo adjustments as necessary. (Reef it!)
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
6. 11 Single 7
This is an advanced level 11 measure single exercise in 7/8.
Pit - This exercise features a chromatic 16th note triplet pattern in the marimba, which works leading with either hand. The vibraphone is a 2-mallet part that plays along with the bass guitar and adds some tri-tone tension to the mix. The piano works on timing in 7/8 while the accessory part doubles the marimba.
Battery - This exercise works singles in groupings of 6 and 4 (mimicking a 4-stroke ruff pattern), leading with both right and left hands. The length of the single stroke rolls increases as the exercise progresses, culminating with a single stroke 5-stroke 32nd note roll. Good times.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
7. BMT (Big Meaty Tasty) (adv)
This warm up continues my "Subway Sandwich" theme, and is an advanced arpeggio / flam exercise.
Pit - This exercise is for practicing arpeggios in a chromatic scale. The vibraphone part works the arpeggios in a 2 mallet "up-down" mode, while the marimba part is designed to work on 4-mallet independence, utilizing an "inner, inner, outer, outer" pattern. The timpani, accessory, and left hand piano parts work together to provide an interesting rhythmic support to the keyboard 8th notes while supporting the battery rhythms.
Battery - This exercise is designed to be an advanced flam warm up that utilizes flam accents, flam drags, flam stutters (cheeses), inverted flam taps ("inverts"), flam 5's, paradiddles, paradiddle-diddles, triplet rolls, single stroke rolls, and triple stroke rolls (3's). Special care should be taken during bars 11 and 12 to maintain the integrity of the 16th note triplets and try to maintain a consistent sound thru out the sticking changes.
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
8. BTM (Beat The Meat)
This is what we call a "Hero Warm up". It is a "shopping spree" type jam in 5/8 that throws everything in the basket but the kitchen sink.
Pit - This exercise follows a chromatic scale and utilizes both 2 and 4-mallet parts. The vibraphone part works in thirds, going up the chromatic scale, while the marimba part is designed to work on 4-mallet independence, utilizing an "inner, inner, outer, outer" pattern. The accessory part is written on a conga drum, but can be played on a tom-tom, timbale, or even a drum pad.
Battery - This is a variation on a flam accent "shopping spree" that utilizes singles, threes, back-beat swiss triplets, flam taps, pataflaflas, inverts, diddles and rolls. It is a lot of fun to play!
Price: $20 (For individual purchase)
To purchase or request more information contact LDM
