double strokes

[itsbettertodieyoung]

how do i get them really fast ?

[what the funk of it]

It's entirely up to you. Just decide on a note value - 16ths, 8ths, quarters etc...

Most metronomes can be set to beep on all kinds different intervals. I'm going to assume you have yours set to beep on quarters, but I could be wrong.

If, on each beat, you play:

2 strokes (rr, ll) - these are 8th notes
4 strokes (rrll, llrr) - you are playing 16th notes
8 strokes (rrllrrll, llrrllrr) - 32nds

Get the idea? It's all just very basic math - fractions you learn around grade 3.

If you can, try setting your metronome to beep on 16ths around 60 bpm. Try and play each stroke directly on the beep. Be so exact that you dont even hear the beep, just the drum or pad whatever. This is great practice for your precision, and it's called 'burying the click'.

Good luck with your doubles!

[bermuda]

And practice accenting the 2nd stroke of each hand: R R L L R R L L etc. This will force you to control the stick rather than rely on an inevitable sloppy, weak bounce for the 2nd stroke. Start slow and stay slow! When you're completely comfortable at that speed, go a little faster. The notion that you should start slow and speed up only makes you stop at the same place as the rolls fall apart - you'll make little progress that way.

Once you get to a certain speed, you will lose the accent somewehat, but your hands will already be used to controlling the stick. Your rolls will become smooth and powerful.

Now, the concept of accenting the 2nd stroke may feel weird, but you have to do it. Here's an approach that will make it easier. In your head, count the accent as the downbeat, sort of pushing into the accents. For example: R L L R R L L R

It seems like it's harder, but if you simply shift the count, you shouldn't have as much trouble, and you'll still be sticking it correctly... you just won't be fighting it as much.

Bermuda

[Ian Williams]

Thanks, Bermuda. Good input and refreshment class.

[Jeremy Bender]

Bermuda'a lesson demonstrated by Jim Chapin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz1oUOtla9w

[BattleArmor]

Also try applying the Moeller Technique to the double stroke roll.

It helped me.

[Wavelength]

Also try applying the Moeller Technique to the double stroke roll.

Umm... What?

[BattleArmor]

Umm... What?

Instead of using your wrists or fingers to do the second stoke of each hand, you can either use the bounce provided by the moeller stroke, or the upstroke. It is different then what alot of people do where they press the stick into the head and control it to get two strokes. By using the Moeller your hands are loose and relaxed, instead of tight and rigid. It is really just another way of arrpoaching the same concept ,and it helped me. I can get alot faster by using the Moeller. Also, by using this, it helps with using the double stroke roll around the toms, because you are not just relying on the natural bounce that a snare drum gives vs a tom, which generally has less, but enough for a second bounce, you are more relying on the technique that is what we call Moeller. Jojo Mayer speaks about this somein his dvd, and did a little in a clinic that was down here 2 years ago.

[Wavelength]

Instead of using your wrists or fingers to do the second stoke of each hand, you can either use the bounce provided by the moeller stroke, or the upstroke.

So, if I understand correctly, you're playing an accented note and an unaccented note with each hand? That's not exactly what I'd call an even double stroke roll.

[bermuda]

So, if I understand correctly, you're playing an accented note and an unaccented note with each hand? That's not exactly what I'd call an even double stroke roll.

The accent is used while practicing to help develope an even roll by deliberately controlling the 2nd stroke so that it is not a bounce. The accent isn't intended to be there at full speed, even if it was possible. By controlling the strokes, you get a smooth, articulate, rudimental roll (would you want to do it any other way??)

Bermuda

[Wavelength]

The accent is used while practicing to help develope an even roll by deliberately controlling the 2nd stroke so that it is not a bounce. The accent isn't intended to be there at full speed, even if it was possible.

I agree with this one, but not with the idea of accenting the first note of the double, as Sinsyk apparently suggests.

[BattleArmor]

I agree with this one, but not with the idea of accenting the first note of the double, as Sinsyk apparently suggests.

How is that possible?

Even with the Moeller Technique, I know I work for getting it fast with out having too much emphisas on the accented note. So it sounds smooth, like what Bermuda said. Its the same thing applied into a different situation.

If you still don't understand, I am sorry for my lack of teaching abilities. It was weird to grasp for me as well at first. Its not the exact Moeller Technique, but it is some of the principles applied to the double stroke roll.

[Boomka]

Here's another "Double-Stroke-Cleaner-Upper":

RRLL RRLL RRLL RRLL
RLLR RLLR RLLR RLLR
LLRR LLRR LLRR LLRR
LRRL LRRL LRRL LRRL

You can do this with the accented second stroke, or not. Up to speed, it's about moving fluidly from one sticking to the next without changing the sound and keeping the subdivisions even.