I don't have a kit at home, but I do daily stick work on my pad. And these days I just go with what I've always gone with when I have the means. I'll play to different types of music ( usually along with songs ) and then go from there. Most of the time I just fool around behind the kit and see what happens. I've come up with some interesting patterns that I've had to actually teach myself.

These days I gig so much that I don't have a lot of time to practice. I try to get a couple good workouts in a week, I have a beater kit at my studio and I'll just wail on it for an hour. That helps me to stay in drumming shape.

I doubt you will get much interest on this topic, it seems there's more interest in having a purty kit to take pictures of.D' DrummerJumping2

It varies a bit but 2-3 hours a day most days.

1st hour messing about, some warm ups/ rudiments on snare and around kit then maybe some snare etudes.

2nd hour Kit exercises either individual grooves or concept work. Also a bit of solo/fill ideas

3rd Get the iPod on and work to music. Sometimes -1 drum books for reading, but usually tunes relating to any sessions or gigs that are coming up.

Each of those hours can be 50mins work or may overspill the hour. I call it by hours but really they are stages. That is my working week Monday to Friday target.

Weekends are just playing to tunes if I feel like it.

I have a regular Sunday gig and various others every week ( I'm in about five different bands plus pick-ups), which means I'm working at least three nights a week, sometimes more, so I haven't actually sat down at a kit to practice for many many years. I live in a small flat (apartment) with my wife, and aside from her and the neighbours yelling at me, there's no room to do it. I keep my gear downstairs in a lock-up, which doubles as my shed (workshop), so I can tinker and fool around with my drums, but setting up a kit to have a bash on just isn't in the running. I do keep a practice pad and a pair of sticks near the couch in the lounge room (living room), so I sometimes run over a few rudiments while watching TV. But only usually because I feel like playing something, not for any need to actually practice. I probably should though, It's easy to get into that zone where you tend to use just the tricks in your bag and not go outside the square on a gig when it comes to actual playing! I tend to practice stuff on the gig, I guess. Probably not the best way to go about it, but it works for me.

I'm not saying I'm brilliant (far from it) and don't "need" to practice, but I'm playing all the time and that certainly ain't a bad thing! I don't know, everyone's different, but that's my story.

Anyone else in a similar situation, or am I just the Elephant Man? :D

I live in a small condo with my wife and chihuahua, so I can't practice at home either. I found a storage place that allows bands to rehearse, so I keep my drums there to play. It's a little pricey, but gigs have been scarce the last few months and I need to play. When the gigs start picking up, I may ditch the storage unit. It's a month to month lease, so there's no problem leaving and coming back if I decide to.

Wow, quite frankly, I didn't expect to hear a comment of this nature here.Lame

While our vintage instruments are often beautiful and fun to look at and discuss the history of, being a student of them is of the utmost importance. That includes practice, and history.

Additionally, I have paid my share of dues the past 30+ years playing gigs, and everything that goes into that(work!). I have refined and built my collection over those years and am very proud of them, saving several from certain ruin!

Now onto the more important topic of the OP....practice. A tip I've found useful over the years is starting with the pad; practice with either a 2B or 5B pair of sticks(much heavier than you would normally use), my regimen includes singles, doubles, triples, as well as a triplet exercise, take about 10 minutes. Then onto the kit with my regular Manhattan 7A's, I have a limb coordination exercise I've been doing for years, takes about 15 minutes. I find that to be a good "workout". After that, I am ready to go!D' Drummer

Personally, "I doubt you will get much interest on this topic, it seems there's more interest in having a purty kit to take pictures of." made me laugh.

There's a prolific guitar collector here in my City who has an entire warehouse full of vintage beauties and can't play a note. I used to scoff but he's probably done the right thing with his money over the last 4-5 decades. Some of pieces are going to be worth a fortune.

I doubt if The Drum Doctor practices anymore. He's too busy in his workshop prepping. He's got a working collection that would make most of us soil ourselves just entering the building.

I have a studio/garage setup and I'm out there a lot playing as its my therapy to cope with all the bs with work and whatever so I'm saying 4 to 6 times a week unless there's a jam then it bumps up

Jaghog, you need more gigs, mate! :)