How to Play the Press Drum Roll Evenly

A press roll is a drum roll whereby the sticks are pressed down upon, so that they are not loose in the hand. This creates a different type of drum roll. When playing a press roll one needs to make sure that they are doing so evenly. This means that one stick is not pressing down harder than the other, making a lopsided sound. Press rolls aren't too difficult to master, but playing them evenly can take some time and patience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Drum
• Drumsticks

How to Play the Press Drum Roll Evenly

1. Begin playing a drum roll with your sticks pressed down more firmly on the drum, making it a press roll.
2. Press with even strength with both sticks, so that both are being held as firm as the other in your hand.
3. Rotate your wrists more tightly than you would with a regular drumroll, not allowing the sticks to come up as high as you otherwise would.
4. Listen to make sure that the drum sounds even. If it is being played unevenly, meaning that you are pressing down harder with one stick than the other, you will hear a lopsided sound, where one stick is making a flatter tone and the other a duller one.

Tips & Warnings

• You will have a tendency to press harder with your dominant hand. Make sure to ease up with this hand if you find your rolls sound uneven.