the caravan warmup

8/3/2019 The Caravan Warmup

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Exercise #1: The Caravan Warmup

A warmup that develops every element of artistry

This exercise is both an excellent introduction to the book’s central

theme of rhythmic exercises organized around melodies and a challenging and

rewarding warmup. As with all the exercises in this book, the caravan warmup is

designed to work on all the elements of drumming: groove by treating the met-

ronome like a fellow musician and focusing on its time; technique by controlling

the bounce of the stick, developing good single strokes, and trying to make

smooth motions around the drums; musicality by being aware of the form and

melody at all times; and creativity by imbedding this classic melody into your

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Juan Tizol



imagination. It is critical to both this warmup and the subsequent exercises that

you both have the melody memorized and are able to sing it while playing.

Also, be sure to move straight from one step to the next without stopping in sec-

tions B and C.

A. Slow on the snare for two choruses

On the snare drum, play slow, fully controlled Moeller strokes while singing

the melody of Caravan at around 40 bpm (for more on Moeller strokes, see the

excellent DVD “Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer” by Jojo Mayer). Play

four groups of triplets on the right hand, then on the left, then right and left in

unison, and finally right and left in alternating sextuplets. Go for a big, relaxed

arm motion and try to play with consistency, balanced posture, and steady,

deep breathing. In addition, for the entire warmup you should quietly play four

quarter notes on the bass drum (feathering), and beats two and four on the hi-

hat. Playing this pattern with your feet will be referred to as jazz feet. Play the

entire form of the song through twice in this fashion.

Example #1

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B. Bright and leading on different drums for six choruses

Step 1: Snare drum

Play two choruses at a faster tempo (try around 130 bpm) on the snare

drum in the same fashion as the previous section. When you switch to this faster tempo, bring the motion down almost entirely to your wrists, hands, and fingers.

Remember that small, relaxed motions are much quicker then large, stiff mo-

tions. Focus on relaxation and control of the bounce of the stick. On the

bridge, move to step 2 below and then come back to the snare on the last A

section of the melody.

Step 2: High tom to snare

Play two choruses with the first note of each group on the high tom and

the last two notes on the snare. Focus on maintaining the momentum of the

stick between the two different drums. On the bridge, move to step 3 and then

come back to step 2 on the last A section.

Example #2

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Step 3: Floor tom to snare

Play two choruses with the right hand playing the first note of the group of

three on the floor tom, and the left hand doing the same on the high tom. On

the bridge play all alternating sextuplets on the snare and then move back tostep 3 on the last A section.

Example #3

C. Medium and moving around the drums for eight choruses

Step 1: Sextuplets between snare and high tom

Using exclusively alternating sextuplets, play two choruses at a medium

tempo (try around 100 bpm). Every quarter note (starting on the snare drum),

move between the snare drum and the high tom with a smooth and relaxed

motion. On the bridge, reverse the direction, starting on the high tom and mov-

ing to the snare drum. On the last A section return to the original order.

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Example #4

Step 2: Sextuplets between snare and floor tom

Repeat this process but move between the snare drum and the floor tom.

Example #5

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Step 3: Sextuplets between the high tom and floor tom

Next, try moving between the high tom and the floor tom. It is a good

idea to start this exercise by seeing how fast you can play this step comfortably,

as it is particularly demanding. To help yourself, focus on accuracy and controlwhile keeping your arm motion smooth.

Example #6

Step 4: Sextuplets around the drums

Finally, play two quarter notes worth of alternating sextuplets on the snare,

one on the high tom, and one on the floor tom. On the bridge, reverse the di-

rection.

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Example #7

Playing Tips

Going through all three sections should take approximately twenty to

thirty minutes, depending on your tempo and efficiency. Whenever you are

playing something challenging, particularly when you are singing at the same

time, it is important to remember to breathe. As you progress, gradually in-

crease the tempo of sections two and three without sacrificing relaxation, con-

trol, or clarity. It is also a good idea to practice this in front of a mirror to study

your movement around the drums and get a sense of how to improve it.

Guide

1. Two choruses of section A

2. Six choruses of section B

3. Eight choruses of section C

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Shorter drum pad version

If you don’t have time for the full Caravan warmup, or you only have ac-

cess to a drum pad, try this shorter version. Try doing this version of the warmup

starting on your L.H. to really challenge yourself.

Guide

1. One chorus of section A

2. Two choruses of section B

3. Two choruses of section C

Suggested Recording

Jo Jones, “The Essential Jo Jones”

the caravan warmup

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