Upstrokes and Downstrokes

Lesson 6/57 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Drum Method

Upstrokes and Downstrokes

Each time a drum, cymbal or any sound source is struck, the stick goes through two movements; an upstroke and a downstroke.

The upstroke is where the stick rebounds off of the hit surface and is positioned in readiness for the next downstroke (see photo 1).
The downstroke is where the stick is propelled at and makes contact with, the surface to be hit (see photo 2).

Photo 1: Upstroke

Photo 2: Downstroke

The concept of upstrokes and downstrokes becomes important for two reasons:

Some students make their work much harder by gripping the stick too tightly and physically exerting force on the stick for both the upstroke and the downstroke. This inhibits speed and leads to fatigue. Force should only be exerted on the downstroke, as the upstroke obtains momentum from the rebound.
Certain beats played on the snare or bass drum synchronize themselves with the upstroke of the hi-hat pattern. This is further explained in Concept 4 - Co-ordinating "e’s" and "a’s". Understanding this concept makes the co-ordination of certain patterns much easier

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Class Sessions

1- The 3 Strokes of Stick Propulsion 2- INTRODUCTION 3- A Basic Rock Beat 4- Rudiments of Music 5- Explanation of Notation 6- Characteristics of the Arm, Wrist and Finger Strokes 7- Fills 8- Note Values 9- Equipment 10- Exercises for Developing the 3 Strokes of Stick Propulsion 11- Understanding Note Values 12- Bass Drum Variations 13- Concept 3 – The Physics of Volume 14- Concept 4 – Co-ordinating "e’s" and "a’s" 15- Sight Reading Exercises 16- Using the Metronome 17- Repeat signs 18- Bass Drum Variations 19- Upstrokes and Downstrokes 20- Holding the Drum Sticks 21- First and Second Time Bars 22- Snare Drum Variations 23- 3 Steps to Stick Control 24- The Traditional Grip 25- Quarter Note Snare Drum Pulse 26- Rudiments 27- The Matched Grip 28- The Dot 29- Combined Snare Drum and Bass Drum Variations 30- Rolls 31- Practice Suggestions 32- The Tie 33- Hi-hat Openings 34- Triplet Stickings 35- Concept 1 – Minimalization 36- Grace Notes and Principle Notes 37- Syncopation 38- Sixteenth Note Hi-hat Patterns with Bass Drum Variations 39- Stickings Around the Kit 40- Sixteenth Note Hi-hat Patterns with Combined Snare Drum and Bass Drum Variations 41- Joining Stickings Together 42- Eighth and Sixteenth Note Combinations 43- Triplets 44- Hi-hat Openings 45- Dynamics 46- Accent Studies 47- Concept 2 – Playing ¼ Note Triplets 48- Offbeat Snare Drum Patterns 49- Additional Hi-hat and Ride Cymbal Variations 50- Shuffle Patterns 51- Swing 52- Go-go/Hip-hop 53- Latin American 54- Reggae 55- Funk Patterns 56- Odd Time 57- Solos

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Upstrokes and Downstrokes