Music Lesson: Exploring the Double Stroke Roll

And that break was from a track called "Take the Money and Run" by the Steve Miller Band. Again, another classic hip hop break used in many different places, people like De La Soul, Ice Cube, and many, many more.

Features of the Break

• Double Stroke Roll:

  • A standout feature in this break is the double stroke roll at the beginning, acting as a fill.
  • You'll hear a double stroke roll followed by a single stroke roll, ending on the toms before hitting the cymbal.

• Groove Element:

  • There's another double stroke roll kind of halfway through the groove, which adds a nice feature as a fill.

• Hi-Hat Technique:

  • The break also incorporates an open hi-hat, similar to many other breaks we've looked at.
  • This quick release and step down on the hi-hat on the offbeat helps keep the beat moving along.

Analyzing the Groove

There's a lot going on in this groove. After the open hi-hats, you encounter another double stroke roll, making it a recurring feature of this break.

Let's slow it right down and simplify it a little bit:

• Double Stroke Roll:
  • It's crucial to recognize that the double stroke roll is an important rudiment featured at the beginning with doubles throughout the groove, particularly with the left hand.
  • This makes it a fantastic example of using the double stroke roll to its fullest.

Essential Practice Tips

The double stroke roll is one of the most important rudiments to know how to play, and you should be practicing it frequently. Here are some practice tips:

• Surface Options:

  • Any chance you get, whether it's on the back of a book, a table, or something that gives you a bit of bounce, helps you get those doubles in.

• Coordination Exercises:

  • Practice with your left hand and the kick pedal.
  • Also, switch it around and practice with your right hand to work on coordination.

Speed Variations

• You can focus on three different speeds:
  1. First Double
  2. Second Double
  3. Single Stroke at the End

This practice will be beneficial for developing coordination between ghost notes in your left hand and the kick drum pedal, which will also be busy doing the occasional double here and there.

And that's the double stroke roll!