Multiple Bounce Roll

The multiple bounce roll (also known as buzz roll) is mostly associated with orchestral and marching band snare drumming. However, it’s still possible to hear the multiple bounce roll being applied to the drum set in drum solos, and in popular styles of music like jazz, rock and Latin. In this free drum lesson, Lionel Duperron teaches you how to apply the buzz roll to drum beats and drum fills, and shares cool practice tips that will get you playing the multiple bounce roll to your fullest potential.

The multiple bounce roll consists of consecutive and alternating multiple bounce strokes. Each stroke has an undefined number of notes that are produced by pushing the stick into the drumhead or practice pad surface, using a little bit of fulcrum pressure. The number of bounces is generated by the pressure you use on your fulcrum – the more pressure you use, the fewer amount of bounces.

If you don’t push the stick into the surface you’re practicing the multiple bounce roll with, you’ll be playing a single stroke roll. So, basically, the single stroke roll is the basis for the multiple bounce roll. Learn how to play the single stroke roll before going any further with this free drum lesson on the buzz roll.

The multiple bounced strokes are represented by the double diagonal lines on the note stems from the sheet music below. Work on getting your hands to produce an even amount of pressure on the drumsticks. As the stick bounces, you can relax a bit of the pressure on the fulcrum, making it easier to prepare for the next stroke. Don’t squeeze the sticks with the back fingers since it kills most of the bounce. Relax the back fingers and focus on the fulcrum pressure with the thumb and forefinger.

All these small tips will get you playing the type of multiple bounced strokes required to attain a great sounding buzz roll. As with the single stroke roll, the buzz roll does not alternate within itself. So, it’s important you learn how to play the multiple bounce roll leading with both hands.
Drum Beats

Exercise #1 is a 16th note drum beat that incorporates two drum rudiments – the single stroke roll and the buzz roll. The first two counts will have you playing a 16th note single stroke roll between the hi-hat and the snare drum. Count 3 sees you playing a 16th note multiple bounce roll that ends with a single stroke on count 4. Add the bass drum on counts 1 and 3, and you’re done.

Transitioning from the 16th note single stroke roll on the hi-hat to the 16th note buzz roll on the snare drum is the most challenging part of this exercise. You’re not only changing techniques but doing so while going from one surface to another. Practice this exercise slowly at first, to enable you to get used to transitioning smoothly.

Exercise #2 is a 16th note drum beat. This exercises’ main challenge is pretty much like the one on exercise #1 – transitioning smoothly between buzz rolls and single strokes. The main difference here is that these transitions are played on one single surface instead. Thus, if you can play the previous exercise quite effortlessly, this drum beat will come easier to you.

Drum Fills

Exercise #3 is a 16th note drum fill that features the multiple bounce roll. Taking a look at the sheet music below, you can see how the drum fill has the same rhythmic pattern being played twice – one starting on count 1 and the other on count 3. The only difference is the drum played on counts 2 and 4. This rhythmic pattern is the same as the one starting on count 3 of exercise #1 on this free drum lesson. Thus, if you can play exercise #1 quite effortlessly, this drum fill will be easier to master.

Exercise #4 has a very similar rhythmic pattern to the one on the last drum fill. Still, there are some differences. The bass drum on count 3 of exercise #3, here is moved one 8th note to the left, to the “and” of count 2. The floor tom played on the fourth count of exercise #3 is moved one 8th note to the right – to the “and” of count 4 – with a hi-tom note being added to count 4.

Just remember to take your time with the material in each of these free drum lessons on the 40 drum rudiments. These patterns take years to master. The more thorough you are at practicing each one of the 40 drum rudiments, the better you’ll ultimately be at performing them.

Once you’re done with this free drum lesson, you can move on to learn how to play other drum rudiments. We encourage you to learn how to play the double stroke roll next. If you’ve done that already, check the free drum lessons on the triple stroke roll or on the single paradiddle instead.

Single Stroke Roll

In this free drum lesson, Lionel Duperron teaches you how to play the single stroke roll and how to apply it to the drum set through a couple of drum beats and drum fills. If you’re totally new to the 40 drum rudiments and don’t know exactly how to get started, this is the perfect drum lesson for you. The single stroke roll is the main pattern you’ll find on the single stroke family of drum rudiments, and it’s actually the drum rudiment anyone should learn how to play first.

Taking a look at the sheet music below, you can see that the single stroke roll is made out of alternating single strokes: R (right hand) L (left hand) R L.No matter the hand you start playing it with, it’s important you learn how to execute the single stroke roll leading with both hands. Leading with your weaker hand is a great exercise for developing it further. This will be hard at first, but with perseverance and practice you’ll be able to execute a single stroke roll with your weaker hand as well as you do with your stronger one.

Practice in front of a mirror so you can check your posture and the way you execute each stroke. Be thorough in the assessment you make of your own playing. This will ensure a faster development of your technical facility, since you’ll be able to detect and fix any issues you might be having even before they become bad habits, which is tougher to correct. Try making things sound and look as perfect as possible. Always remember: “Proper practice makes better”.

Practice with a metronome, have a lot of patience and just keep playing and having fun. Use all of these tips while practicing the 40 drum rudiments. With time, you’ll become the drummer you aspire to be – you just have to keep at it. If you’ve been playing drums for some time now, but have not began learning the 40 drum rudiments, chances are you’ve already applied the single stroke roll to your drum beats and drum fills without knowing about it.
Drum Beats

Exercise #1 is a 16th note two-handed hi-hat drum beat. Start by playing a 16th note single stroke roll on the hi-hat. Once you have that down, take the leading hand off of the hi-hat on counts 2 and 4, and move it to the snare drum. Add the bass drum on counts 1 and 3, and you’re set.

Exercise #2 is a 16th note drum beat with a broken 8th note hi-hat pattern. Take a 16th note single stroke roll and split it up between the hi-hat and the snare drum. Keep the left hand close to the snare, so you can produce very soft ghost notes on the “e’s” and “ahs” of each count. Play the hi-hat at a normal volume with the right hand. Once you have that going, take the leading hand off of the hi-hat on counts 2 and 4, and move it to the snare drum. Finally, add the bass drum on counts 1 and 3.

Drum Fills

Exercise #3 is a 16th note single stroke roll drum fill played around the drums. Start on the snare drum and move down the toms, playing four strokes per drum.

Exercise #4 is a 16th note single stroke roll half-bar drum fill – a variation on the previous exercise. This drum fill starts on count 3, which is known as a half-bar fill. Hit the snare drum first and move down the toms, playing two strokes per drum.

Don’t rush the process of learning how to play any of the 40 drum rudiments. Taking your time with each step of the learning process will actually make you a better drummer. Focus on quality and not on quantity.

Once you’re able to play the single stroke roll and the exercises herein accurately, you can move on to further expand your knowledge of the 40 drum rudiments. If you want to keep studying single stroke based drum rudiments, we encourage you to move on to learn how to play the single stroke four. If you’d rather learn how to play drum rudiments from a different family, check the free drum lessons on the double stroke roll and the multiple bounce roll.