Episode 022: Roll Exercises

Advanced, Exercises, Intermediate, Rudiments, Snare Drum | 0 comments

The snare drum roll is one of the most difficult rudiments on the snare drum. The concept of the roll is easy. The difficulty comes with the execution. Over the past several videos, I have illustrated different strategies for improving the roll. I have found that over the years, I like to vary the exercises that I use to strengthen and improve my rolls. Here are two exercises that are guaranteed to help you develop your rolls. Download the PDF, get out your drum and roll.

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Episode 021: Snare Drum Warm-up

Beginning, Exercises, Intermediate, Snare Drum | 0 comments

Over the past couple of months, I have been introducing snare drum rudiments. For the percussionist, rudiments are like scales. You should be practicing them everyday just like a wind player practices scales. In today’s video, I would like to introduce my snare drum warm-up that I wrote a year ago. This 12 minute warm-up includes all of the basic strokes to give you a well rounded warm-up. Please download a copy of my snare drum warm-up, get out your practice pad, a metronome and go for it.
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Snare Drum Roll Exercise

Exercises, Intermediate, Snare Drum, Technique | 0 comments

Innovative-CL2L-300x300A couple of months ago, I introduced a new Snare Drum Roll Exercise. I hope this has helped develop your roll technique.

In the past couple of episodes of my videos, I have begun to talk about the bounced stroke. For most students, this is the most difficult rudiment on the snare drum. If you don’t believe me, go to a high school band concert. I find most students push too hard and don’t allow the stick to do most of the work.

In this exercise sheet, I have created an additive process exercise that starts with one bounce on a note and adds one bounced stroke per line. In the first measure, the foundation is introduced followed by the bounced stroke in the second measure. One of the goals was to make sure to that both hands were working on the bounced strokes.

Additive Roll Exercise

Check it out for a couple of days and let me know what you think. Any feedback and/or comments are appreciated.