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.
This is the basic 4-2-1 roll sequence with "Flight of the Bumblebee" in the keyboard part. Play all notes at the same height with no accents. More…
This is an exercise that switches the lead hand from right to left within a two measure phrase throughout the sequence. This will serve to strengthen a students' weak hand over time. The result is the… More…
This is the basic exercise using a 4 X 4 sequence and diddles on every partial of the triplet. Many bands are playing music at faster tempos and students are required to play rolls and diddles at those… More…
This exercise focuses on various diddle patterns using a rebound stroke. The pattern is a 4-2-1 sequence played through one time before the repeat. I used a familiar tune as the background for this exercise. More…
This exercise helps in the development of diddle patterns… More…
This is a timing exercise based on triplets and eighth note rests using a 4-2-1 pattern. This exercise will help with the timing of attacks within a phrase which is a very important aspect of ensemble… More…
This timing exercise uses the eighth note rest to help with the basic timing of attacks within a phrase. This is a very helpful exercise in achieving this important aspect of ensemble performance. Play… More…
Second in a series of four timing exercises that play an important foundational role in the development of young percussionists. Pay close attention to the sticking in this exercise and play everything… More…
This is a very important timing exercise that I teach to all of my students starting in middle school. I tell my students "timing is everything". Sticking is a very important aspect of this exercise as… More…
This is my 12/8 version of double beat. Students seem to enjoy learning and playing this exercise. More…
This is the basic double beat exercise. This exercise focuses on getting students to use the rebound stroke associated with open rolls. More…
A two height exercise using a 9-12 inch accent height and a 3 inch tap height. There are many variations of this exercise. This is the basic version. More…
This is a legato stroke exercise that involves various time signatures. I threw in a paradiddle diddle or two toward the end for good measure. My students like playing this exercise. This one has a good… More…
A variation on 8s. This one makes the students think more while accomplishing the same outcome. Thinking is good! More…