Ki-aiing while playing

[mtn]

If you notice you have difficulty ki-aiing while playing, don't fret because it's natural because I bet you all of the drills that you do don't involve ki-aiing at all.

Here's a drill that will help you ki-ai on the down beat (the simplest ki-ai).

Lay down a straight beat in 4/4 time. While you're keeping the beat at an easy tempo, say (with confidence and projection) "Don" on the 1st beat and do not stop saying "Don" until you've reached the 3rd beat. It should sound like:

"Dooooooooon"-------

1 2 3 4

Repeat the exercise until you're confident you can do it.

The next level would be to start the "Don" on the 2nd beat and stop on the 4th beat.

Once you're confident you can do that, then go through the "1-2-3-4" Drill while saying "Don" on the 1 and the 3.

Then after that, go through the "1-2-3-4" Drill while saying "Don" on the 2 and the 4.