hey, some tips on improving speed
-play rudiments using a metronome, start off slow and work your way up, concentrate on your technique and don't get sloppy
-stay relaxed
-practice on pillows, or use stick weights

feel free to add to this list

you pretty much covered the basic orthodox methods..
if you have good technique i dont think speed is a problem with a lot of practice..

also try something like this..

RRLL

RRR LLL

RRRR LLLL

RRR RRR LLL LLL

RRRR RRRR LLLL LLLL

RRR RRR RRR RRR LLL LLL LLL LLL

I think that for speed, rudiments are the answer. with practice ull be able to do more complicated thing easily and itll become second nature to you

we can sit here all day and talk about how to improve speed but if we dont do anything about it, nothing will happen.. like everyone above said, you gotta practice it.. do single strokes, doubles, triples, five stroke rolls, paradiddles, etc. start slow and keep increasing speed until it starts to hurt.. then keep doing it for longer periods of time.. your body will adjust to this and make u faster

yes practice is what it all boils down to.
I don't like stick weights because they make my sticks feel way too light after i take them off..

Originally Posted by Tama king

yes practice is what it all boils down to.
I don't like stick weights because they make my sticks feel way too light after i take them off..

well duh thats the whole point of stick weights

	Tama Drums Shop for Tama Drums at Musician's Friend

i think what hes saying is that its TOO light.. if your sticks are too light youll have speed but then you lose feel, gotta hve the right balance

it's just like running guys.. to get faster you need to play fast and really stretch yourself.

I like to call them drum sprints.. do single strokes as fast as you can for as long as you can and try to increase each every day.. its hows its done