Drum Rudiments
DRUM RUDIMENTS are basic drum techniques required to achieve greater stick control. These rudiments shall be introduced over the next twelve lessons and are essential for the development of drumming skills. In this book the exercises illustrating the rudiments are played on the whole drum kit and not just the snare drum. When playing these rudiments it is essential to observe the correct "sticking" (e.g., RLALLR) to achieve greater stick control. These rudiments shall be introduced over the next twelve lessons and are essential for the development of drumming skills. In this book the exercises illustrating the rudiments are played on the whole drum kit and not just the snare drum. When playing these rudiments it is ESSENTIAL to observe the correct "sticking" (e.g., RLALLR)
Rudiment No. 1
The Long Roll or Double Stroke Roll
The Long Roll is formed by playing two left taps or two right taps, followed by two right taps or two left taps respectively, e.g., LLRRLLRRLLRR or RRLLRRLLRRLL.
As you play this rudiment you will probably find that you can play it either slow or fast, but cannot play from slow going through to fast. It is this transition in the middle which gives students the most trouble. The reason for this is that when you are playing the roll slowly you are playing ONE tap with ONE wrist movement, but as your speed increases you begin playing Two taps with One wrist movement. This is called THE BOUNCE. The bounce is achieved by playing the first beat as usual (with the wrist AND forearm), while the second beat is "bounced" and controlled by the fingers. The wrist remains in the DOWN position.
The following exercise introduces thirty-second notes . There are eight thirty-second notes in one quarter note, as illustrated here:
Because of the speed of thirty-second notes, you will play by "feel" rather than counting each individual note.
Try bouncing each hand separately and than together to play Ex. 210. Make sure you relax and don’t tense up and you will find the bounce will come after diligent practice.
