double stroke roll technique confusion

[yammieoaks]

I just had a drum lesson and my teacher said the 2nd stroke of this rudiment should be controlled more by the fingers and making sure the stick hits the meat of the inside part of your hand and that the stick should be more controlled when going downward in the 2nd stroke. I tried it and it's tough since I've been playing it by simply doing 2 single strokes.

But Derrick Pope on YouTube says make sure both strokes (ie. 2 single strokes) are exactly the same.

Is this preference or which method is used more?

[Jonesy]

There's a thread around here that covers this topic extensively, but I think the gist of it is this:

Derrick Pope's recommendation to make both strokes the same means they should SOUND the same, not look or feel the same. this is the best way to practice doubles. That way, you won't allow yourself to rely solely on the bounce for the second stroke - it's a combination of hands, fingers, and rebound. At higher speeds, yes, the rebound will become a crucial aspect of doubles, but practicing doubles at slow speeds while concentrating on evenness is the best way to CONTROL the second stroke.

And yes, your drum teacher is also correct because that is where your doubles should be heading towards AFTER you practice keeping both strokes even, a la Derrick Pope's comment.

Essentially, they're both correct. Practice doubles at a slow speed, keep both strokes even and controlled, and when you get your doubles to a quicker tempo, your fingers will naturally take care of the second stroke with some help from the rebound.

[Boomka]

Do you trust your teacher?

[yammieoaks]

Do you trust your teacher?
it was the first time meeting and he seems to know his stuff, even though he seemed kind of a like a jerk because of the type of music i play, haha

[larryace]

Practice them as 2 equal strokes, played at equal volume, the 2nd stroke played exactly like the 1st stroke. Start slow and as you become comfortable with that tempo, start increasing. You will only get so fast by stroking every stroke, and beyond that is where you have to transition to the bounce; you drop the stick and let it bounce for the 2nd stroke, try and get the bounced stroke as loud as the dropped stroke. It's all about controlling the bounce at higher speeds, which is usually how you play a double stroke role in the context of a song....bounced, not stroked.

[jazzin']

It sounds to me like he was describing the push/pull sort of technique used to keep the second note strong and as forceful as the first note instead of just letting the second note be from pure bounce without any help which can lead to an overly soft second note.

It would seem to me that he was saying that you throw the first note and then pull sharply back with your fingers to create the snap which accents the second note and also creates the action of the stick slapping back into your palm. Is this correct? That is, to me anyway, the best way to do double stroke rolls fast and clean with a consistent sound.

Is that what you're trying to describe? I think it may be easily explained by the push/pull technique which I believe most people may know from discussions on here. Though I could be completely wrong with what you're saying.... ?

[sciomako]

Hi jazzin',

My teacher taught exactly that, the same technique the OP's teacher taught.

I'm able to play consistent double with this "push/pull", but only up to certain speed (16th @120bps). Beyond that, my fingers couldn't keep up. Am I right that beyond certain speed, the fingers have to give way to rebound?

It sounds to me like he was describing the push/pull sort of technique used to keep the second note strong and as forceful as the first note instead of just letting the second note be from pure bounce without any help which can lead to an overly soft second note.

It would seem to me that he was saying that you throw the first note and then pull sharply back with your fingers to create the snap which accents the second note and also creates the action of the stick slapping back into your palm. Is this correct? That is, to me anyway, the best way to do double stroke rolls fast and clean with a consistent sound.

Is that what you're trying to describe? I think it may be easily explained by the push/pull technique which I believe most people may know from discussions on here. Though I could be completely wrong with what you're saying.... ?