.jpeg)
Bianca Richardson doesn’t just practice to improve technique. She also seeks to develop the musical instincts and creativity that help her stand out.
"Practicing is very important because if you have talent, the only way to get better is to practice," she says.
The drummer, whose credits include H.E.R., Marcus Miller, Cory Wong, Willow Smith and others, follows a consistent practice regimen that includes refining rudiments, exploring linear fills and digging deep into grooves, such as new jack swing. In this exclusive video demo, Richardson shares three of her favorite practice concepts using the Simmons Titan 90 electronic drum kit.
Rudiments Build Control and Creativity
Practicing rudiments is essential for developing technique and confidence, and one of Richardson’s favorite exercises is the double-stroke roll. The sticking pattern—right, right, left, left—may seem simple, but Richardson feels it provides tremendous value for developing control, hand strength and fluid movement around the kit.
"I know rudiments can sound a little robotic, but doing double-stroke rolls helps open up your hands and get comfortable on the drum kit," she says. “I also incorporate the technique into grooves and fills, add ghost notes and move accents around the kit. You have to be creative with it."
Linear Fills Develop Fluidity
Richardson feels linear fills are another example of how technical exercises can become vehicles for personal expression. In a typical linear fill, no two notes are played simultaneously—each stroke has its own space within the phrase—and one of her favorite sticking patterns is right, left, left, kick. But although the pattern is straightforward, Richardson encourages experimenting with where the accents are placed.
“Don’t always emphasize the same notes,” she advises. “For example, you can accent the left note, you can accent your kick—you can do whatever you want with the phrase to create entirely new feels.”
Playing Along with Music Enhances Grooves
While metronomes remain extremely valuable practice tools, Richardson believes too many drummers overlook an equally important resource—the music itself. Listening to recordings helps drummers understand how beats are intended to sit within a groove, the importance of dynamics and the diverse feels of different musical genres.
"I love playing new jack swing grooves,” she says. “because they help me develop timing, pocket and feel simultaneously. We all can go straight to practicing with a metronome, but when it comes to feel, you've got to practice with music."
Why Creativity Matters More Than Ever
While technical proficiency is obviously vital for drummers, Richardson stresses the importance of originality.
"As you develop your time and pocket, also focus on being creative, because uniqueness can generate opportunities,” she says. “For example, Willow Smith’s team discovered me on Instagram experimenting with hybrid acoustic-and-electronic drum setups and green-screen videos. I think that's one way I stood out.”