Chad Smith
Red Hot Chili Peppers · Deep funk pocket, big rock backbeat
The techniques Chad Smith actually uses across their path, moves and song studies — each one opens the same exercise workout the rest of the app links to.
Single Stroke Roll — Moving Around the Kit
Level 1Hands · 50–160 BPM
You alternate hands, one hit each, non-stop. You do NOT stay on the snare: every bar your hands move to a different drum so your arms learn to travel.
Goal: Even singles that stay even while your arms travel around the kit
WorkoutAccent & Tap Control
Level 3Hands · 55–130 BPM
Every beat has 4 notes. The first one is loud (stick starts high), the other three are whispers (stick stays 2cm off the drum).
Goal: You control volume, not the stick
WorkoutHi-Hat Foot on the Offbeats
Level 3Independence · 50–120 BPM
Your left foot closes the hi-hat on the '&' — the space between the numbers. Most drummers' left foot is asleep; this wakes it up.
Goal: An independent left foot that keeps the pulse for you
WorkoutDouble Kick 16ths + Ride Bell
Level 3Double Kick · 55–140 BPM
Your feet play a constant stream of 4 notes per beat, alternating right-left. Your hands play a normal rock groove on top so it sounds like music, not a machine gun exercise.
Goal: Even 16ths with nothing dropped for a full minute
WorkoutFour-Limb Ostinato
Level 4Independence · 45–110 BPM
'Ostinato' just means a short pattern you repeat without changing. Here your right hand and both feet play a fixed loop while your left hand improvises on snare and toms.
Goal: Genuine four-way independence
WorkoutPanic Attack Endurance Test
Level 5Double Kick · 70–180 BPM
The benchmark test. Dream Theater's Panic Attack sits around 150 BPM. You are working up to holding that for a full chorus.
Goal: A full chorus of 16ths at 150 BPM
WorkoutDouble Kick Endurance Intervals
Level 4Double Kick · 55–130 BPM
Same 16th note double kick, but treated like gym intervals. You play until the timer stops you, then rest completely.
Goal: Hold your tempo for 60 seconds with no tension
Workout