The Secret to Drum Set Flow: It’s All About Sticking

Getting to “the flow” state when drumming should be a pursuit of every drummer. So, how do you get there? This article will give you some tips to achieve flow on the drums by using sticking patterns. 

The renowned psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1990) said that flow is “a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter.” Basically, this is where you are so lost in an activity you don’t even think about it; rather, you are in “the zone.” 

To get to “the zone.” where you can just play drums effortlessly, you must first have a solid drumming vocabulary. This process is similar to a small child learning a few words; then, overtime constructing sentences, which eventually can be effortlessly developed. Likewise, drumming starts with a few key sticking patterns, which serve as the foundation of all rudiments, drum fills, and grooves. 

The secret to flow on the drum set is sticking. Yes, it is all about the sticking. More importantly, it is about effortlessly moving sticking patterns around the drums. 

Check out the video below to see how to develop flow on the drums using sticking.

Singles

Start with single strokes: RLRL RLRL RLRL RLRL. 

First, play even single strokes on the snare drum. Second, move it around the drums. This can be in any order at first, but no matter what, keep your hands going. Third, once you find some patterns you like, take the time to master and memorize these variations. Fourth, go back and forth between the memorized variations and improvised variations. Again, keep the single strokes going the whole time.  

Here is a video to show you how to use improvise using single strokes.

Doubles 

Next, play double strokes on the snare drum. RRLL RRLL RRLL RRLL.

As you keep playing double strokes on the snare drum, be sure to keep it smooth and even. This may take time to master; so, I suggest looking at the video below on how to develop quality double strokes around the drums, as this will take practice. Note: playing doubles on the toms takes a bit more strength and technique, which is discussed in the video.

Now, move the doubles around the drums in any order you want. Get creative with it. Third, find a few patterns that you like and commit them to memory. Last, go back and forth between memorized patterns and improvised patterns. 

This video will give you some ideas for moving double strokes around the drums.

Triples

Many drummers do not spend a lot of time on triple strokes, as they are not used all the time. However, they can be a great tool for complex patterns and fills. Plus, they are essential to playing rudiments. The two patterns I suggest to get started with triple strokes are the following: 

RRRL RRRL RRRL RLRL

RLLL RLLL RLLL RLRL

Of course, there are many other variations that can be used. To start, use these patterns and move them around the drums using the same process as recommended for the singles and doubles.  

This video will show you how to get fast and strong triple strokes.

Putting it Together

The fun part is putting all of this together. There are endless combinations that can be made using single, double, and triple strokes. While this is the most exciting part, it is also the part that will take the longest. To do this, I suggest using one beat of each pattern, for example: 

RLRL RRLL RRRL RLLL

From there, you can mix it up.

RRLL RLRL RRRL RRLL

Or, use any combination to choose. Once this is mastered, start experimenting with different sticking patterns and moving them around the drums. One other tip is to always return to a home pattern, such as RLRL, which you can keep going until you feel compelled to improvise using different patterns. 

This does take time, but just start experimenting with these three sticking patterns everyday during your practice and in no time, you will be playing fluidly around the drums. Good luck and keep drumming. 

Reference 

Csikszentmihaly, M. (1990). The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York, NY: Harper & Row. 

GET MORE

For more drum grooves, check out Tactical Drumming: Groove Survival Guide, which will show you a number of shuffle variations and other grooves. This can be found at https://tacticaldrumming.com or on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3Qr56pN

By John Owens, Ph.D (Author, Drummer Educator). For John's bio go to https://tacticaldrumming.com