Drum Rudiments have been utilized for hundreds of years. Originally, ancient military regiments used snare drummers to communicate important information across battle lines. They were used to relay messages back to commanding officers regarding enemy positions.
Today, those same rudiments have become the bedrock of rhythmic beats and fills. With that in mind, let’s review the fundamental rudiments that should be in every drummer’s tool belt.
Single Stroke Rolls
Single Stroke Rolls are 32nd notes played close together and quickly. The key to a good sounding roll, is the volume and spacing. Start slowly with a metronome, aiming for even volume and spacing between each stroke. Use a mirror to check your technique and motion. Focus on relaxed wrists, not stiff arms. Do not use arms to move the sticks rather, relax back fingers and use your wrists. As you improve, increase the tempo gradually while maintaining control.
Double Stroke Rolls
The techniques of a double stroke roll is a little different. Essentially, it is achieved by controlling the bounce off of the drum head. This is done by using the bounce back of the stick to stroke the drum twice. This is best used for extreme speed with your rolls.
Simply hit your stick once, allowing your stick to bounce, back. Notice how many time it bounces? Try to limit these bounces to one. This way you are hitting the stick two times for every one strike on the drum (or pad).
Like the single stroke roll, concentrate on the volume and spacing between notes. Of course, this is a little more challenging with the bounce. Relax back fingers and begin to tighten that back finger gap as you speed up.
Flams
Flams are two notes payed with a very slight gap between the two. Easiest way to accomplish this is to raise there second sick considerably higher than the first. Mere travel time will have the second stick land on the drum head after the first.
Consistency is key. practice them hand to hand oncer you haver mastered the left and right handed flams independently.
Paradiddles
Paradiddles are a sixteenth note with a specific sticking. They include an accent on the first note of each group notated with there an arrow over the first note. Again, consistency is key. The accents should be the same volume regardless of which hand is playing the accent. Start slow and speed up as you gain confidence. A metronome is a valuable tool with this rudiment.
Paradiddles also expand into Double and Triple Paradiddles.
Drags
Drags are sometimes confused with another rudiment, Ruffs. Regardless of its name, the premise is to play a diddle (two notes on the same hand) close to the third single without sacrificing the sound. in other words, all three notes should be heard. there is no accent on the third note, the skill is not playing it with an accent.
Like the other rudiments, it is important to practice this slow and eventually play this hand to hand, back and forth.
Other Rudiments to consider learning:
Buzz Roll (also referred to as a Press Roll) * Ratamacue (single, double, triple) * 6 Stroke Roll
It is recommended that these first be mastered on a practice pad and then eventually applied to set playing. We always suggest that private instruction be used to help identify mistakes and improper technique.
Good Luck with these. As always, we are here to help you in your drumming journey. Reach out to us through email at sales@bangondrums.com
