Dennis Johnson Percussion Services
@DennisJohnsonDrummer · Certified Music Educator - Over 30 years experience
Instruction, writing, and clinics for all levels.
Exercise programs, field shows, cadences, etc.
Fluent in Sibelius. Contact Dennis at
dajohnsonband@gmail.com for further details about
how I might serve your students and your band program.
A two height exercise using tap and accent height.… More…
This is a basic exercise in a 4-2-4 pattern using 9 stroke rolls. PLay everything at one height using no accents. More…
A basic exercise using 5 stroke rolls on and off the beat.… More…
A 12/8 exercise that focuses on keeping the "flow" consistent with the right hand pulse over the 12/8 triplet feel. More…
This is progression exercise for developing the popular rhythmic figure called the "Herta". I have started the exercise with the basic figure in 12/8 and then the application in 4/4. More…
This is a basic exercise that aids in the development of paradiddle diddles. There are so many opportunities in today's marching band music to insert this popular sticking pattern. Learn the basic three… More…
This is a basic "pyramid" exercise where you add accents to the triplets every two measures. Play this exercise at two heights-accent and tap. Plug flams or diddles into the exercise to form new focus… More…
A sticking exercise focusing on the sticking patterns R-R-L and R-L-L. These patterns are used frequently in today's marching percussion music and this exercise combines the two patterns into one exercise.… More…
This is an exercise originally entitled "Irish Spring Asian" and I composed an Asian melody to accompany the battery parts. This exercise can be played simultaneously with Irish Spring and African Spring. More…
This is an exercise with the original name of "Irish Spring African". I have added an African melody that I composed to accompany the battery parts. This exercise can be played simultaneously with Irish… More…
This is the basic stick control exercise in 12/8 and 4/4.… More…
This exercise combines the 4/4 and the 12/8 double beat … More…
This exercises focuses on triplets with double sticking in a 4-2-1 pattern. The lesson here is to maintain the triplet pulse, feel, and hand motion when transitioning from alternating sticking to double… More…
This exercises focuses on the transition from single to double strokes and the issue of maintaining a consistent quality of sound as the transition occurs. The sequence is a 4-2-1- pattern. More…
This exercise combines legato strokes with double strokes and ends with a 7/8 paradiddle diddle figure combination. More…
This is a double beat exercise that is written in 12/8. I have added a traditional Irish tune for the keyboards to play along with the battery. More…
This exercise focuses on a 16th note base placing single accents on every successive note in a 4-2-1 pattern. Play this exercise using two heights- accent and tap height.… More…
This is an accent exercise involving 8th notes in 12/8-6/8 and 9/8 meter. Students should maintain the triplet pulse and hand motion throughout. Two heights should be used throughout this exercise- tap… More…
This exercise serves as the basis for teaching rolls and all diddle patterns based on 16th notes. All notes should be played at the same height with no accents. This is the basic 4 X 4 version with the… More…
This is the second set of the Triplet Diddle Grid and focuses on two diddle partials for every three note grouping. The sequence starts with the basic 4 X 4 pattern and progresses to a 2 X 2 pattern and… More…
This is the first set of the Triplet Diddle Grid and focuses on a single diddle partial for every three note grouping. The sequence starts with the basic 4 X 4 pattern and progresses to a 2 X 2 pattern… More…