Lesson #050 - Backsticking 101

[Virgil]

Backsticking is a fun way to embellish your rudimental patterns. In this first backsticking lesson, I address basic one handed exercises which are designed to strengthen the wrists, and establish a feeling for the flipping action of the stick. It is very demanding on the wrists, so please proceed carefully, and gradually build speed, but only when you feel ready.

I then take you through the more accomodating sticking patterns for backsticking, and some variations. The video demonstrates all of these ideas, and some of the optional movements.

<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration on backsticking, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/explanation-backsticking.wmv)

In all the following exercises, the curved line initiates at the start of the backsticking action,
with the arrowhead pointing to the next note played with the same hand, in the flipped position.
The following note played by that hand is back in the normal position.

<img src="images/!charts/backsticking-a.gif">

Simple One Handed Backsticking

<img src="images/!charts/backsticking-b.gif">

Swiss Triplet Back Sticking - left hand lead

<img src="images/!charts/backsticking-c.gif">

Reversing the Swiss Triplet
Pay attention to how the sticking changes, and also the change from right hand backsting in
the first bar, to the left hand in the second bar.

<img src="images/!charts/backsticking-d.gif">

Alternating the backsticking hand every time

<img src="images/!charts/backsticking-e.gif">

Here is the very last pattern on the video. I start by playing the previous idea, and from the
second bar, I shorten it to a 3 beat phrase.

<img src="images/!charts/backsticking-f.gif">

<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration on backsticking, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/explanation-backsticking.wmv)