Hello and thanks a lot for joining me on Midnightdrummer.com today!
This time, I'd like to show you a few easy double stroke roll exercises, which you can start practicing today.
Yes, today!
If you haven't practiced any drum rudiments yet, the double stroke drum rudiment and the single stroke roll are great ones to start with.
Sounds interesting?
Great!
Here's what this drum lesson is about:
What is a double stroke roll?
A double stroke roll is one of the 40 drum rudiments and belongs into the category of roll rudiments.
A double stroke roll consists of 2 strokes with the right hand, followed by 2 strokes of the left hand: RRLL or LLRR.
Still, there are several ways on how to play the double stroke roll drum rudiment and how to apply it to the drum set.
Double Stroke Roll
Double stroke roll for beginners – 5+ easy exercises
Ready?
Let's start practicing the double stroke roll exercises!
First, please download the FREE PDF here.
It's more comfortable to follow the exercises, when you print it out.
I will wait for you! 🙂
In the video at the top of this blog post, you can follow all exercises.
It will help you get an idea of what this rudiment should look and sound like.
What you should aim for when practicing the double stroke roll drum rudiment
The most important thing to aim for when practicing the doubles or any drum rudiment in general, is an even, controlled and consistent sound.
Neither the 1st nor the 2nd note of RR or LL should be louder.
Pick a slow tempo first and increase it bit by bit, always aiming for the best sounding double strokes possible.
Exercise #1
The very 1st exercise looks like this:
The basic double stroke roll
This is the basic version of the double stroke roll.
As you can see, the exercise can either start with RR (right, right) or LL (left, left).
Still, you should practice it both ways.
Of course, this only makes sense if there is a reference point like a metronome click or a bass drum playing quarter notes while practicing the exercise.
Otherwise, you will forget after a while, whether you started with RR or LL.
Exercise #2
The 2nd exercise is another great example, in which a metronome click is a must.
Let's have a look:
Inverted double stroke roll
In this case, the second note of RR hits the quarter note.
This can be quite difficult if you haven't tried it before. Be patient and don't rush through this exercise.
You will finally be able to play it.
Exercise #3
The 3rd version of the double stroke roll is the opposite of the very 1st one and starts with LL.
Basic double stroke roll starting with left
Exercise #4
The 4th version is related to the 2nd.
This time, the exercise starts with a single left-hand note:
Another inverted double stroke roll starting with left
Combination exercise
This exercise is a great double stroke roll warm-up:
It is important to switch from each exercise to the next without a pause.
Slow down the tempo if necessary.
Exercise #5
This exercise will help improve your 8th and 16th notes while using the double stroke roll.
The basic version looks like this:
Double stroke roll using 8th and 16th notes.
Exercise #6
This exercise starts the same as the prior, but the 16th notes are being played “inverted” starting with a single right-hand note:
Another 8th and 16th notes double stroke roll exercise
Exercise #7
This exercise is the exact opposite of #5 and starts with LL:
8th & 16th notes double stroke roll exercise starting with left.
Exercise #8
Exercise #8 completes this drum lesson:
Inverted double stroke roll using 8th and 16th notes.
Let's wrap this up
Learning new drum rudiments can be a challenge, in particular if you are new to the drums.
The most important thing when practicing the double stroke roll and other techniques, is patience and a precision.
Therefore, you should record yourself with a smartphone camera or practice in front of a mirror.
This way, you will be able to notice slight differences between your hands and make necessary changes.
Please let me know if these exercises were doable, and let me know in the comments below if there are any questions.
Enjoy drumming and talk soon!
