Buzz roll vs. double stroke roll: which one does the music want?
Drummers use two kinds of rolls to make a long, sustained sound: the buzz roll and the double stroke roll. They sound different, and the music usually tells you which one to play. Here's how to tell, and how to make each one smooth.
Two kinds of roll
| Buzz roll | Double stroke roll | |
|---|---|---|
| Also called | Closed roll, multiple bounce roll | Open roll |
| Each stroke | Several bounces pressed into the head | Exactly two clean notes |
| Sound | Smooth, sustained "shhh" | Clear, fast notes |
| Most common in | Concert band, orchestra | Marching and rudimental drumming |
Reading roll notation
Rolls are written with slashes on the note (through the stem, or above or below a whole note):
- One or two slashes usually mean measured notes: one slash for eighths, two for sixteenths.
- Three slashes mean a roll. In concert band music, that almost always means a buzz roll.
- A "z" on the stem always means a buzz roll.
- In marching or rudimental music, rolls are usually open double strokes, and the number of slashes can show how fast the strokes go.
If you're not sure, ask your director. They'll tell you which roll the section should use, so everyone sounds the same.
Making a buzz roll
Press each stroke slightly into the drumhead so the stick buzzes several times instead of bouncing once. Alternate hands, and overlap the buzzes so there are no gaps.
- Start with one hand: let a single stroke buzz as long as it can.
- Alternate hands slowly, making each buzz the same length.
- Speed up until the buzzes overlap into one smooth sound.
- Keep a steady pulse under the roll, often sixteenth notes or triplets depending on the tempo.
Making a double stroke roll
Play two clean strokes with each hand: R R L L. The goal is for every note to be the same volume and evenly spaced, so the roll sounds like a fast stream of notes.
The second note of each pair is the weak spot. Use your fingers to play it, rather than just letting the stick bounce. Start slow and speed up gradually; see drum rudiments for beginners.
Starting and ending a roll
- Start on the beat. The roll begins exactly where the note is written, not a little early.
- Count through it. A roll fills the whole length of the note. Keep counting so you know where it ends.
- Watch for a tie. A roll tied to a final note ends with one clean stroke on that note. Without a tie, the roll just stops at the end of its value.
- Keep it even. Don't let the roll get louder or softer unless the music asks for it.
Practice
- Play eight long buzzes on each hand, then alternate.
- Play a slow double stroke roll with a metronome, checking that both notes of each pair match.
- Play a roll on a half note tied to a quarter note, ending with a clean stroke on the quarter.
In Percussion Trainer, tap the double stroke roll with the Tempo Ladder, and listen to the multiple bounce roll in Rudiment ID to hear the difference.