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Stacking Drill

Stephen Shastay

Although the Speed Teacher has great Finger Drills, it doesn't have this drill. You can use it straight from the hard copy, or you can use it in the Drill Machine.

This exercise is great for those who stack their strokes. The patterns are fairly simple, but you will have to work through each set to discover the pattern before you can actually begin to drill on them.

The first set is the easiest. Practice it slowly. Gradually, allow your speed to increase. Don’t overdo it. Maintain a constant flow of strokes. Pay particular attention to having your fingers begin the stroke at the same time, reach the bottom of the keystroke at the same time, and release the stroke at the same time.

The second set changes the pattern. Practice this set in the same fashion as the first set.

The third set is exactly the same as the first set.

The fourth set is easier than the second set. It is a variation of the first set. Hopefully, you won’t have to practice this set very long to establish good rhythm and good speed.

The fifth set is exactly the same as the first set.

The sixth set is the most difficult. It is a variation of the second set. Work on it until you can stroke it as well as the other sets.

It sounds complicated, but it's not. Once you try it, you will see that understanding the drill is easy. It is the performance that is difficult.

After practicing the different sets alone, it is time to combine several sets. Do the first set and the second set over and over. Forget speed. Try to keep your hands moving at all times. Watch out for the hesitation when you shift from one set to the other.

In the same way, practice the third and fourth set and then the fifth and sixth set.

When you feel confident that you can keep your fingers moving, see if you can do all six sets one after another. This is extremely difficult. It may make your head hurt. If it proves to be too complicated, stick to doing two sets at a time.

Remember:

Maintain a constant flow of strokes.

Have your fingers begin the stroke at the same time.

Reach the bottom of the keystroke with all fingers at the same time.

Release the stroke with all fingers at the same time.

Each line contains four strokes. Each stroke contains four letters. For example, the first stroke of the first line of the first set is SH-FT. Stroke all four letters at the same time. The second stroke is TP-PL. The third is SR-RS. The fourth is KW-BG.