Single-Stroke Rolls, Get Faster Hands for Drumset or Drumline

Single Stroke Rolls

March 1st, 2009 by James Voss Grumish

So you want faster single-stroke rolls. Okay. Here’s the very short drum lesson to help make this possible.

Work on single-hand legato strokes. The idea is that each stroke should utilize both the wrist and the fingers for each stroke; don’t just rely on one or the other.
The grip should be loose, but totally under control. There’s a small, subtle difference between the sticks moving freely and being moved freely. You’re fingers should be in contact with the sticks at all times.
Don’t underplay and pretend you can go faster; don’t overplay and pretend it builds chops faster.
Work towards consistency of sound between your hands. Practice double-stops on a pad and line things up. Practice exercises as both right-hand and left-hand lead.
Use a metronome to make sure you are keeping things up to speed and not allowing your hands to drag.
Subdivide the metronome click. Don’t just put eight notes in a beat and call it a single-stroke nine roll. Put the notes in the right place.

Enough lesson. Here’s some single-stroke roll exercises.