Chop-Builders for Percussionists: Preparing for Marching Band
For percussionists gearing up for marching band, developing strong technical skills, or “chops,” is essential to meet the physical and musical demands of the season. Chop-builder exercises—focused on precision, speed, and control—are critical for building the dexterity and stamina needed for drumline performances. These exercises, ranging from single-handed accents to sextuplets, help percussionists master sticking patterns and rhythms. Below, we outline key chop-builder exercises tailored for marching band preparation, with specific considerations to ensure success. The excerpts presented here are from a drum camp percussion packet I received as a high school freshman in 1989 (called our “Bible”), and I have been using it ever since.
Single-Handed Accents
Single-handed accent exercises build dynamic control and hand independence, crucial for clean execution in marching cadences. Start by playing even eighth notes to establish a steady pulse before introducing accents. Ensure accents are distinguished from taps by using a higher stroke height, creating clear dynamic contrast. Maintain a consistent eighth-note pulse, whether accenting or not, to develop rhythmic stability. Switch hands at the correct time to avoid disrupting the flow, and focus extra practice on the weaker hand to balance technique. These steps ensure accents pop without sacrificing tempo, vital for tight drumline unison.
16th Timing
Sixteenth-note timing exercises hone precision in fast passages, common in marching band charts. Focus on aligning the right hand with the downbeat without accenting to maintain evenness. Initially, a downbeat accent can help establish the rhythm’s feel, but remove it once timing is secure. Ensure right/left sticking is 100% accurate: right hand on downbeats and “and” counts, left hand on “e” and “a” counts. This instills default sticking for future reading and reinforces consistent timing and phrasing. When a rest falls on the downbeat, use a “ghost-sticking” gesture—playing the note in the air—to keep other notes in time, preserving rhythm integrity.
16th Accents
Sixteenth-note accent patterns challenge dynamic control within rapid sticking. Always alternate hands, never playing two consecutive notes with the same stick, to maintain fluidity. Keep downbeats and upbeats on the right hand to anchor phrasing. Use higher strokes for accents to distinguish them from taps, ensuring clarity. Always feel the downbeat’s placement, regardless of accent placement, to prevent rushing or awkward transitions out of the pattern. These considerations are critical for clean execution in complex marching rhythms, where accents drive musical energy.
16th Diddles
Sixteenth-note diddles (double strokes) build bounce control, essential for rolls and flourishes. Ensure the second note is as strong as the first by “pulling” it out of the stroke, not just letting the stick bounce passively. Understand the rhythm and always know the downbeat’s placement to maintain timing. Relax the back three fingers, using them to control the bounce rather than relying on wrist motion, which can cause tension. These techniques produce clean, powerful diddles, vital for impactful drumline features.
32nd Diddles
Thirty-second-note diddles are executed like 16th diddles but occur within a single sixteenth-note span. Carefully read where to place the diddle, bouncing the stick on the designated 16th note to produce two distinct, audible notes—not a press or buzz. Relaxed finger control is key to avoid tension and ensure clarity. These exercises prepare percussionists for rapid, intricate passages in marching cadences, maintaining precision under pressure.
Rolls
Rolls, essentially consecutive 32nd diddles, require evenness and control for a smooth, sustained sound. Pay attention to when to roll (bounce) versus play single strokes, ensuring every 32nd note is equal in volume and timing. Practice maintaining a consistent roll speed to avoid gaps or unevenness, critical for seamless fills in marching performances.
Sextuplets
Sextuplets, with three notes per eighth-note span or six per quarter-note span, build speed and endurance. Start with accents (right on downbeat, left on upbeat) to establish timing, then remove accents for evenness. Master alternating sticking before exploring variations like Swiss triplets, double paradiddles, or paradiddle-diddles. These exercises prepare percussionists for complex, flowing patterns in marching band shows, enhancing versatility.
Conclusion
Chop-builder exercises are the backbone of percussion preparation for marching band, developing the precision, speed, and stamina needed for drumline success. By focusing on single-handed accents, 16th timing, 16th accents, diddles, rolls, and sextuplets with the outlined considerations, directors can guide percussionists to master challenging rhythms and stickings. Consistent practice of these exercises ensures a polished, unified drumline, ready to shine on the field.