Exploring Flams: Techniques and Styles

There are so many ways to play flams. That's the most used embellishment, rudiment, if you like, in modern performance.

Key Concepts

• Power Flam:
  The most common flam is what we call a power flaming. This consists of two accented notes, like two downstrokes, played with basically the flam, but with the same volume on each hand.
  "So we're not playing a grace note in an accent. Just you go, blah, blah."
  We've done that so many times, right?

• Bounced Flam:
  Another flam is the bounced flam. If I was alternating the flam as you know it, right to left, left to right, without a grace note and without an accent, this would just be an open bounce flam.
  "Using the bounce techniques that we talked about earlier."
  Instead of playing with a grace note accent, I'm just going to open up the grace note to the same volume level as the main note.

This approach gives a nice texture.

Additional Techniques

• Playing without Alternating:
  This idea can be played without having to alternate. Personally, I would not use that alternation much on this particular concept, but I would definitely use it in various styles, such as:

  • Right to Left
  • Left to Right

  So I'm not alternating; I'm just flamming one hand pattern. I tend to play from right to left, using my left hand for the main note. It's just something I feel more comfortable with, and then I flam in with my right hand.

• Application in Various Styles:
  If I were just doing this as a run of notes, I'd feel the main note with my left hand and drop in with my right hand, maintaining the same volume level.

  This concept is particularly effective for different styles and rhythms, especially in Latin genres.
  "I find that really useful."

Incorporating Groups of Notes

Before concluding, I want to highlight the value of playing groups of notes, like groups of three, four, or five, and incorporating flams.

• Flam Accents and Flam Taps:
  Some notes might be flam accents or flam taps, which are common rudimental stickings, while others may be pieced together spontaneously during playing.

• Accent Combinations:
  Mixing different accent combinations with various stickings is a fantastic way to embellish certain grooves in specific genres.

Final Thoughts

I hope that gives you some food for thought on flams, drags, and rudiments. There are some great things you can do with flams!