“8’s” Drumline Exercise

One Exercise, Many Wins

For snares, the exercise stays consistent. The same 4-bar pattern repeats across all sections.

That keeps hands moving without requiring stickings to shift.

For tenors, each section features a new movement pattern.

Players begin on one drum and move across zones in repeating shapes. It’s simple at first glance, but it builds fluency and motion quickly.

The bass voice alternates between unison and split figures.

Those split lines start simple, but by the end of the sheet, you’ve got four bass drummers passing a clean, melodic phrase across the line.

Just enough challenge to build listening skills and pulse control.

Want your line to warm up their brains, not just their hands? This is your sheet.

Also great as an audition piece or early-season skill assessment.

There’s nowhere to hide in a groove this exposed.

Download it, hand it out, and get locked in. “8’s” is one of the best daily exercises to dial in timing, consistency, and section coordination from day one.