For the hands:
Use Stick Control p. 5, ex. 1-12, starting ~1/2 note= 72 BPM. Play quarter notes on the bass drum, 2 and 4 on the hi-hat.
Play each exercise one time, followed by 4R 4L 4R 4L after each line.
After ex. 12, go back to the beginning and play ex. 1-12 one time, followed 8R 8L 8R 8L.
Repeat process, following each line with 16R, 16L, 16R, 16L.
Repeat the process, following each line with a 16th note single stroke roll lasting as long as one exercise line- two measures of 2/2 or 4/4. End on the downbeat of the next bar, then rest for the remainder of the measure. "The key is to start the single strokes with the OPPOSITE hand of the last note in the line preceding it."
"He also had a shortcut version, where you played lines 1-4 with each line followed by 4 Rights 4 Lefts, 4 Rights 4 Lefts, 5-8 followed by 8R 8L, 8R 8L, then 9-12 followed by 16R 16L, 16R 16L."
For drumset:
R=SNARE, L=BASS DRUM.
Sing "Take the A-Train", metronome at half note=72
Play 4 bars of jazz time: swing pattern on cymbal, hihat on 2 and 4, feather bass drum (or tap heel) on quarters, snare rim click on beat 4.
Follow with 4 bars of ex. 1, swinging the 8th notes, with jazz time continuing on cymbal and hihat.
Repeat process for ex. 2-4, which will take one full chorus of A-Train (A-A-B-A). Repeat the process for ex. 5-8 and 9-12.
After the break, John shares some of his memories of studying with Dawson:
