Drumlines use a variety of musical exercises from different reasons. The most common use is to warm up before a rehearsal. Exercises warm up drummers and allow them to focus on different techniques. This allows drummers to utilize the best playing performance possible.
Some exercises are 8 on a hand or 8-8-16, and accent tap. 8 on a hand is one of the most simple exercise that focuses on reaching the same height of the stick on each beat. The exercise is 8 beats on the right hand, and then 8 beats on the left hand. This is usually repeated once or twice to complete the exercise. 8-8-16 is a variation of 8 on a hand. The drumline would play 8 beats on the right, then 8 beats on the left, and finally 16 beats on the right. Then, this pattern repeats starting on the left hand.
Accent tap is an exercise in the same format as 8 on a hand, but some notes are accented or played louder than the rest. While playing the exercise, drummers can make sure each accent is the same height and each tap is the same height. Drummers will play the same pattern of accents and taps on the right and left, and then a varied rythm of accents and taps during the next pattern.
Below are examples of some of the most common drumline exercises.