The Linear Track
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The Testing Rules:
1. Each can be attempted only twice during any testing session.
2. You may administer the test all at once or lesson by lesson as you learn them.
3. You can either choose to test yourself, ask a friend or parent to monitor your test, or upload a video of your test to the Student YouTube Channel. If you do a video, please follow the testing rules. You’re only cheating yourself if you don’t.
The Test
Session 1: Beginner-Play linear pattern comfortably at 60bpm.
Intermediate-Play linear pattern comfortably at 90bpm.
Expert-Play linear pattern comfortably at 120bpm.
Session 2: Beginner-Learn all fill fragments at 50bpm.
Intermediate-Learn all fill fragments at 85bpm.
Expert-Learn all fill fragments at 110bpm.
Session 3: Beginner-Learn all fill fragments at 50bpm. Play entire fill on 2, 3, and 4 voices at same tempo.
Intermediate-Learn all fill fragments at 85bpm. Play entire fill on 2, 3, and 4 voices at same tempo.
Expert-Learn all fill fragments at 110bpm. Play entire fill on 2, 3, and 4 voices at same tempo.
Session 4: Beginner-Play all rearrangements of original pattern at 50bpm.
Intermediate-Play all rearrangements of original pattern at 85bpm.
Expert-Play all rearrangements of original pattern at 110bpm.
Session 5: Beginner-Play all rearrangements of original pattern on kit at 50bpm.
Intermediate-Play all rearrangements of original pattern on kit at 85bpm.
Expert-Play all rearrangements of original pattern on kit at 110bpm.
Sessions 6: Beginner-Play exercises 1-3 at 60bpm.
Intermediate-Play exercises 1-3 at 90bpm.
Expert-Play exercises 1-3 at 120bpm.
Session 7: Beginner-Play all exercises at 50bpm. Begin to make up your own variations.
Intermediate-Play all exercises at 85bpm. Work on moving from one variation to the other with no interruption in groove.
Expert-Play all exercises at 110bpm. At this point you should be able to move smoothly between any of the variations listed in the lesson as well as through any variations that you have come up with on your own. Complete independence is the goal.
Session 8: Beginner-Play individual sticking exercises at 60bpm.
Intermediate-Play individual sticking exercises at 90bpm.
Expert-Play individual sticking exercises at 120bpm.
Session 9: Beginner-Play exercises 1 and 2 at 60bpm.
Intermediate-Play exercises 1 and 2 at 90bpm.
Expert-Play exercises 1 and 2 at 120bpm.
Session 10: Beginner-Play exercises A-F four times each at 60bpm, moving from one to the other with no break in time or rhythm. Begin to call out the letters to yourself at random, transitioning smoothly from one to the next.
Intermediate-Play exercises A-F four times each at 90bpm, moving from one to the other with no break in time or rhythm. Begin to call out the letters to yourself at random, transitioning smoothly from one to the next.
Expert-Play exercises A-F four times each at 120bpm, moving from one to the other with no break in time or rhythm. Begin to call out the letters to yourself at random, transitioning smoothly from one to the next.
Session 11: Beginner-Play groove at 75bpm.
Intermediate-Play groove at 100bpm.
Expert-Play groove at 130bpm.
Session 12: Beginner-Play all variations at 60bpm.
Intermediate-Play all variations at 90bpm.
Expert-Play all variations at 120bpm.
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Session 1#229 What is a Linear Pattern? [expand title=”Description”]This lesson explains the proper definition of a linear pattern.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/june2014live/sds229sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/june2014live/sds229hd.mp4″]  |
Session 2#231 Breaking a Linear Pattern Apart Pt.1 [expand title=”Description”]This series is aimed at taking a linear pattern, breaking it apart into several stickings, and then putting them back together in different combinations. This allows you to not only learn one linear pattern but to make many patterns out of the one. Part 1 of a 4 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2014live/sds231sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2014live/sds231hd.mp4″] |
Session 3#232 Breaking a Linear Pattern Apart Pt.2 [expand title=”Description”]This series is aimed at taking a linear pattern, breaking it apart into several stickings, and then putting them back together in different combinations. This allows you to not only learn one linear pattern but to make many patterns out of the one. Part 2 of a 4 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2014live/sds232sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2014live/sds232hd.mp4″] |
Session 4#233 Breaking a Linear Pattern Apart Pt.3 [expand title=”Description”]This series is aimed at taking a linear pattern, breaking it apart into several stickings, and then putting them back together in different combinations. This allows you to not only learn one linear pattern but to make many patterns out of the one. Part 3 of a 4 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2014live/sds233sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2014live/sds233hd.mp4″] |
Session 5#234 Breaking a Linear Pattern Apart Pt.4 [expand title=”Description”]This series is aimed at taking a linear pattern, breaking it apart into several stickings, and then putting them back together in different combinations. This allows you to not only learn one linear pattern but to make many patterns out of the one. Part 4 of a 4 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2014live/sds234sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2014live/sds234hd.mp4″] |
Session 6#3 The Linear Alphabet Pt.1 [expand title=”Description”]Using the method of breaking a linear pattern apart, we can begin to assign various stickings a letter. This allows for a very organized replacement process when thinking up new fills or grooves. Jump into this lesson and see what it’s all about! Part 1 of a 2 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/Sds1_8_13intevngfinal_hd3.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/Sds1_8_13intevngfinal_hd3.mp4″] |
Session 7#4 The Linear Alphabet Pt.2 [expand title=”Description”]Using the method of breaking a linear pattern apart, we can begin to assign various stickings a letter. This allows for a very organized replacement process when thinking up new fills or grooves. Jump into this lesson and see what it’s all about! Part 2 of a 2 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/sds1_10_13advevngfinal_hd4.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/sds1_10_13advevngfinal_hd4.mp4″] |
Session 8#35 The 6-7-3 Linear Pattern Pt.1 [expand title=”Description”]This is a fun series of linear stickings that can be combined to form several fun patterns. Part 1 of a 3 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/march2013live/sds3_26_13begaftrn_sd35.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/march2013live/sds3_26_13begaftrn_hd35.mp4″] |
Session 9#36 The 6-7-3 Linear Pattern Pt.2 [expand title=”Description”]This is a fun series of linear stickings that can be combined to form several fun patterns. Part 2 of a 3 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/march2013live/sds3_28_13intmrng_sd36.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/march2013live/sds3_28_13intmrng_hd36.mp4″] |
Session 10#37 The 6-7-3 Linear Pattern Pt.3 [expand title=”Description”]This is a fun series of linear stickings that can be combined to form several fun patterns. Part 3 of a 3 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/march2013live/sds3_28_13advaftrn_37sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/march2013live/sds3_28_13advaftrn_37hd.mp4″] |
Session 11#77 Simple Linear Groove Pt.1 [expand title=”Description”]This lesson focuses on a very simple linear sticking that makes for some fun grooves. Part 1 of a 2 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/2015live/february/sds77sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/2015live/february/sds77hd.mp4″] |
Session 12#78 Simple Linear Groove Pt.2 [expand title=”Description”]This lesson focuses on a very simple linear sticking that makes for some fun grooves. Part 1 of a 2 part series.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/july2013live/sdsintmrng7_11_13_sd78.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/july2013live/sdsintmrng7_11_13_hd78.mp4″] |