How to Play a Drum Roll

Almost everyone has heard the phrase "Drum roll please." For a drummer, meeting that request can be demanding. There are three common ways to play a drum roll. The easiest one to learn and play is the single stroke roll. Read the following tips to learn how to play a drum roll.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drums
• Drum sticks
• Metronome

1. Position yourself comfortably in front of the snare drum. The drummer should be relaxed with his arms parallel to the floor forming a V shape.

2. Grip the sticks. There are several ways to hold the sticks but they should rest comfortably in the drummer's hands without falling out.

3. Begin the single stroke roll by hitting the drum in a right, left, right, left pattern.

4. Start slow and gradually increase the speed.

5. Continue the right, left, right, left stroke until you have mastered the perfect drum roll.

Tips & Warnings

• Prior to learning the roll, the drummer should first learn drumming rudiments.
• Once the single stroke roll is perfected, the drummer can try the double stroke roll or buzz roll. The double stroke roll is played similar to the single stroke except the drummer strikes with a right, right, left, left pattern. The buzz stroke is an advanced roll and requires balancing the sticks with the fulcrum point (balancing point) of the hand. This will allow the sticks to bounce off the drum and provide the rapid stroke needed for this roll. The buzz roll is played right, right, right, right, right, left, left, left, left, left.
• A metronome will help with timing.
• A roll can be played on any drum, but the snare is most commonly used.