Perfect Your Double Stroke Roll!

[@Sangheili1000]

Mate it turns out I’ve been doing the wrong technique for the longest time and I could never increase my speed. This video has taught me the correct technique and these exercises have increased my tempo by at least 20-40bpm already in a few days. Thank you for this video.

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a lot for the comment. Glad it's helping you out. Keep making those gains!

[@patches4170]

Holy shit thank you so much! I've been trying to understand and learn double strokes for months actively training and just failing without progress. I've been going insane on this. Your first step of feeling the bounces and stopping/catching the second bounce FINALLY did the trick for me! I swear noone else I could find not even my drum teacher irl knew or taught this. All advice is on perfecting it, equal volumes, but not how you even get there first. Thank you so much!

[@rqdrums]

Awesome! Glad it clicked for you. It's always useful to see different approaches to see what makes sense for you so I'm glad it helped you out!

[@thatnicedude7798]

How is it going now? Do you have fast doubles now?

[@crywalt]

The :( at 1:54 made me laugh out loud, so thanks for that!

[@TapZackGames]

My teacher taught me something similar with just letting the stick bounce freely at first then restricting it to 2 bounces. Worked really well for me so I can vouch that your advice is very good lol. Also very underrated vid like this production quality is actually so clean.

[@rqdrums]

Thanks for the feedback. I actually started with learning finger control first which I actually don't think is the first thing to focus on. It took me quite a while to get the hang of that haha. Glad the rebound control idea worked out for you!

[@Fabregas200788]

I'm a so-so drummer and I'm seriously impressed with the low number of subs, great content, Rory thanks for the video, helps a lot

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a lot!

[@frederickchubay9657]

Thanks, Rory. Of the many explanations for how to develop the double stroke roll that I have sampled on KZbin, yours is the best. It’s clear, concise, and completely in sync with what you’re doing on the pad.

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a lot! That's a big compliment. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@eltonjohnson]

Mine feel and sound really decent but I find myself basically pinching the sticks at the fulcrum and then using more of my forearm to move the stick. Trying to break myself of this habit.

[@rqdrums]

Yeah that happens a lot. I'd recommend spending some time just trying to play those rebound stokes to get the feel of keeping it loose at the fulcrum for a few minutes every time you warm up. Then with time you'll start to adapt your grip. But I feel like I'm pinching once I get to a tempo where I'm hitting my max speed too. So it's probably bound to happen at some point!

[@np466]

I think pinching a little is normal once you get to higher tempos. I know we’re constantly told to hold the sticks loosely but there’s gotta be some stability in there to keep the stick under control. At least for me anyway.

[@eltonjohnson]

This, 100%. Cheers @@np466

[@rqdrums]

I agree. I heard mike mangini say the same thing actually as well. So I doubt there's a way around it completely.

[@-Whuka]

Hands down, the best tutorial I've seen on this subject. Thanks

[@itayblum3405]

Agree

[@rqdrums]

Wow! Thanks a lot. Glad you think so :)

[@travis1687]

This is good material if someone tells you otherwise they're just mad at life. Great production quality btw I really liked the straight and to the point style of the video and simple editing. Keep it up man.

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a lot. If you're referring to some of the comments on this video don't worry, they haven't phased me much. I just didn't realize a video on doubles could be so divisive 😂. Thanks again for the kind words

[@papaglenford]

i like that you get right into it

[@rqdrums]

Thanks! Glad you like it👍

[@jadonpaulanburaj8698]

I don't know if anyone is going to see this but, my favorite exercise was definitely the RRL and LLR. This video helped me a lot. 😊

[@RangerB-16]

Thank you Excellent lesson. I think your presentation is thoughtful and offering your experience to the world of learners. Sweet pad…

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a lot for the kind words! Glad you got something out of it :)

[@michaelinglis567]

One thing thats really helped me get consistent powerful doubles especially on the kit is incorporating a push pull technique. So i would recommend practicing with your fingers for doubles like normal but also practicing using a deliberate push pull as well. You can kinda think of push pull as an exaggerated double with your fingers. They can be done very fast with practice and they offer more precise control over each stroke IMO compared to a typical double. Push pull is great for drags/ghost note doubles.

[@rqdrums]

I actually learned doubles initially with only using a push pull technique and it's a very useful technique for sure. I just think they're harder to get really consistent if you rely on push pull too much. Most classical snare drummers never use that method and they have some of the cleanest doubles around. But if that's what works for you keep it up! Everything is worth exploring

[@michaelinglis567]

@@rqdrums Let me qualify fy this statement by saying I'm primarily a guitar player so I could absolutely be wrong. I found that practicing extremely exaggerated full stroke push pull doubles helped with the consistency part. But you likely already did that as well and still came to the conclusion that you did. But I absolutely agree with you, Ive found with guitar and drumming that the more techniques you not only know but can play fluidly the better your playing as a whole will be. I'll take this as a sign from the universe to beef up my traditional doubles and try to rely a little less heavily on push pull and moeller doubles. Thanks for the insight!

[@michaelinglis567]

@@rqdrums Well I found this surprising and interesting. I was doing my practice on the kit just now and I actually stoped to think about what my hands were doing. And I realized I've subconsciously combined the push pull technique with the regular finger and wrist doubles. In other words they all fluidly interchange depending on what is nessesary for the grove. Sometimes it's full push pull and other times it's full finger controlled or wrist controlled doubles. But the cool part is the in-between of those. Ive got it worked out where there is just the tiniest bit of push pull because my hands are accustomed to that and can very quickly transition in and out of doubles that way. So it's like a very scaled down push pull with much more control of each hit/stroke. I remember trying to learn doubles as a beginner and they felt much clunkier and slow so I think I can stand by my initial comment that, for me at least, learning push/pull technique and getting very good at it significantly helped my regular doubles as well. So it's not limited to just the typical push pull stroke most people associate with the technique (very quick but with little power). For me getting the dropping motion of the "push" down really well has helped with all my doubles. Just like how we are taught the three main stickings as beginners then quickly learn to move between them fluidly depending on what the situation calls for.

[@rqdrums]

@@michaelinglis567 Exactly what I feel like I do as well! Once you learn a technique and it really becomes a part of you, you'll just switch between them all seamlessly. Every drum/cymbal has a different feel so it makes sense to have to change how you're playing depending on what sound you wnat. It's a deep rabbit hole!

[@WhiteAntelope7]

@@rqdrums Isn't 1.33 "#3 use your fingers" push pull? You don't show any other technique in this video or I'm not getting something?

[@Googoo123]

would love to see more of these.. this was really helpfull. nice one!

[@rqdrums]

Great to hear! I'll have more coming out in the future. Thanks for the support:)

Great lesson, wonderful example also for my beginner Students, thanks for sharing !!

[@rqdrums]

Ahh great! I was hoping it'd be a good reference for some of my students as well

[@ggzion]

Great video! Definitely gonna help me improve my skills!

[@itayblum3405]

Sir you perfected technique teaching AND video content quality

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a lot for the kind words!

[@ControlDialedin]

Great stuff Working doubles this past month I can let the stick rebound then squeeze on the 2nd stroke for a smooth sound. Trying to play fast it sounds like: Bah bah….bah bah instead of bah bah bah bah lol I think it’s sometimes compared to a gallop. It doesn’t sound smooth

[@rqdrums]

Yeah it's really tough to get used to and we all start where you're at. I think focusing on getting that second stroke in rhythm helps a lot. Also reviewing the part in the video where you just let the stick bounce gently will help you really get the feel of the rebound (at around 0:50). Since it's such a small thing to get the hang of, it takes some time. Just try to work on it a bit regularly and it'll get better!

[@Tatacer]

Excelente video. Mucha información. Muchas gracias!

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a lot. Glad it helped!

[@fercontreras8]

Great lesson, but I’m curious why you recommend the sticks falling flat? Thanks

[@thomasfeathers]

Great video Rory. Keep the content coming!

[@rqdrums]

Thanks for the support! More is in the way :)

[@eugenedebruin3694]

very helpful!

[@jsullivan2112]

The last exercise is one of my favourites. Did you get it from Steve Smith by any chance? I first learned it from his History of the US Beat DVD. Anyways I’m looking forward to trying these out. I definitely have issues with accents on the first stroke and I think it’s because I’m arcing. Thanks for posting this.

[@rqdrums]

Yeah I like that last one too. I'm love Steve Smith but I don't think I've seen that video of his though. I just thought of it while thinking up warm up exercises one day.

[@jsullivan2112]

@@rqdrums Crazy, it’s pretty much identical. Alternating between singles and doubles, throwing in a diddle on the end of a course of singles to switch leading hands. Anyways it doesn’t matter, it just made me smile to see it. I definitely recommend that DVD set it’s fantastic.

[@philmayne3308]

Excellent video

[@clocked2002]

I would say there's nothing wrong with arching the sticks and putting an accent on the first stroke if you control the bounce and use your fingers to get a powerful second stroke as well. It's how my teacher taught me. What do you think?

[@rqdrums]

If that's what works for you then keep it up! I never meant for anything I in this clip as "the only way" to do something. It's just general advice that I find helps. If you're counteracting the accent via other methods then I'm sure it sounds great.

[@clocked2002]

@@rqdrums Thanks! Great advice you've given 👍

[@raymondquinn4529]

Hi Rory, great technique. Really like the exercises. Guess I can't the logo for my bass drum.

[@rqdrums]

Hahaha that is incredible. Be my guest. The amount of people that share our initials are few! Thanks for the kind words

[@joetroutt7425]

I have tried every possible technique there is and i just can't seem to break through this plateau i have reached. Its my left hand that is suffering badly. I think it may be that i have broken my wrist a long time ago and now i hold the stick differently than my right hand. Normally i hold the stick in my right to where it lines ip with the crease in my palm but my left stick sits slightly off center from the crease which makes it not line up properly for the technique needed for these exercises. I play great drums but have never got the hang of doubles at really fast speeds

[@rqdrums]

Yeah the left hand is super frustrating. It may be that you're holding the stick differently but technically people that play with traditional technique also hold their sticks differently yet the can get killer doubles going. You can experiment with different strokes but I think generally it just comes down to how much you practice them. I guarantee if you played through a book full of snare solos your doubles will get better no matter what. I'm still working on my left hand all the time though. It's a constant battle!

[@smierdzacylen]

That's really helpful, subbed, thanks!

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a ton!

[@tobytoxd]

Great video! Thank you much!

[@rqdrums]

Glad you liked it!

[@mcspicydan7590]

im very left hand deficient but with my right hand my rebounds are effortless but i find trying to mirror my right hand really hard and i only use my index and middle finger to hold the stick when im bouncing the stick with my right hand. any advice in how to get that left hand similarly effortless as my right?

[@rqdrums]

It's pretty tricky to say without being able to actually see how you're playing exactly but I don't think there's really a quick fix necessarily. I'm currently working on my left hand quite a bit and what helps me is just making sure I spend 5-15 min at least really focusing on exactly how I'm playing with my left hand. Making sure you're taking advantage of any rebound you can get and getting the sticks to bounce straight will help loads. It just takes time though. If you work on it consistently within a month or so you'll definitely get better. Just gotta stick with it!

[@danielweber1952]

Yes. Start with your left hand. Over and over.

[@abc456f]

The answer is very simple: practice more with your left hand. I'm super right hand dominant and I really struggle with my left hand. Just have to give the left more time.

[@rqdrums]

It can be a tough pill to swallow though 😢

[@chaneppchannel_365]

May i ask, it should hit per one time. Or make it bounce for 2 strokes 😮

this technique focuses om rebound. what about doubles on the toms? toms dont rebound unless tuned too toght

[@rqdrums]

The first tip focuses on rebound yes but later I show that using your fingers can help drastically. I also later suggest playing doubles on a pillow so that you're ready for any kind of surface. I mainly use fingers on surfaces like that personally. Hope that helps!

[@SimonB.]

The first step for me is to get my snare tuned to even have a rebound like on the practice pad 😅It's easier to play on a practice pad in my opinion

[@rqdrums]

Yeah I think you're right! I just used a practice pad in this video because I have limited time on a real drum set :(. But if you can play doubles on a pillow you can play them on anything!

[@iceburglettuce764]

Good stuff, man. Keep up the good work! :)

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a bunch! More clips to come soon

[@virabhadra2]

Which training pad need to choose for this exercise?

[@rqdrums]

Any practice pad by a reputable company I'm sure would work fine. This is an Evans pad but there's loads of other options as well.

[@ibizatotalconcept1236]

Great lesson! Can you give me the name/brand/type of your sticks. Theo look great…

[@rqdrums]

Thanks! They're Promark Rebound 5A's but in a white finish. I got them included with the practice pad I'm using in the video a couple years ago.

[@ibizatotalconcept1236]

Thx for Quick answer! I will have a look, also for the pad with stand as i’m just beginning. Can you also name the pad your using?🙏🏼🤘

[@rqdrums]

I'm using an Evans Real Feel pad. But there's loads of different pads that'll do the trick!

[@ibizatotalconcept1236]

@@rqdrums thx…looking forward to your next vid….

[@blackfishgaming7145]

I’m super new to drumming. I’ve been playing guitar and bass for years and practice to a metronome. I just bought a DW practice pad kit and decided to learn a new skill. I’m finding my left hand/arm is a lot stiffer and harder to control. Is this normal?

[@rqdrums]

O yeah! Your non dominant hand takes a lot more work. You just have to make a habit of spending some extra time on it regularly and be patient.

[@CoIdplayer]

Does it make sense to practice these in an e-drum kit or should I definitely start on a practice pad?

[@rqdrums]

Just use what you got! A real snare is actually ideal but I used a practice pad because that's all I have at home to play on. An e-drum kit will work great though 👍

[@CoIdplayer]

@@rqdrums Thanks!

[@clasesdepercusion]

Cool to play it wth the book of movements Vol 1 Double Binatry Motor System

[@pietpaulusma5146]

great video!

[@rqdrums]

Thanks a lot. Glad you like it!

[@StuartJrBarrett]

Great video man!

[@rqdrums]

Thanks for the kind words. Glad you liked it!

[@Lupine.]

Thanks for the concise tutorial.

[@rqdrums]

You're welcome!

[@bluedrumble]

Question: why don't you use your index finger on that first demonstration?

[@TABIK1984]

Hey, doing so makes it easier to make use of your back 3 fingers

[@rqdrums]

I think I do that because as my technique has evolved my index finger mainly stabilises the stick. Sometimes it's pretty active but with doubles it's mainly keep control of how the sticks bounce. Not sure if that's clear :/

[@AirForceFalcons_9922]

My left hand is horrible! While my right hand is smoothe and relaxed, my left hand drags and is tense.

[@rqdrums]

Yeah my left hand feels like that too. I've started taking at least 5 min everyday to just focus on exactly what my left hand is doing. And even just doing that has made a big difference. Obviously it takes time but it'll get better if you stick with it!

[@AirForceFalcons_9922]

​@@rqdrums Thank you so much for that tip. I'll do the same exercise you suggested 😊

[@ibpants]

You're telling me I've been naffing about watching video after video on how to do doubles and it's actually this simple? I almost feel like I need to book a drum lesson with just to get confirmation that I'm actually doing doubles, and not some lazy facsimile.

[@rqdrums]

Well, they might simple from how I've presented them here, but they're definitely not easy. I do think if you focus on what I showed in the clip while working on them over a long period that'll do the trick though. Just add them into your warm ups or learn some snare solos and you'll be shocked how fast they'll get better. Hope that makes some sense!

[@ibpants]

@@rqdrums whether what I'm doing now really qualifies as proper doubles or not, at the very least there's been some kind of breakthrough from watching this, so thank you!

[@Oil_for_life]

This is good im joud btw

[@rqdrums]

Yessss! You're the best Joud! 🔥🔥🔥

[@Drumchannel1]

And where is the roll? I listed fast 16notes, but where is the roll?

[@rqdrums]

A drum roll is different from a double stroke roll. A drum roll is normally referred to as either a buzz roll, multiple bounce roll, or orchestral roll. In those rolls you cannot hear the individual strokes and it becomes a solid stream of sound. So you can look up videos on those if that's what you're looking for. In a double stroke roll you can hear the RRLL clearly and they're played like that intentionally.

[@Drumchannel1]

@@rqdrums Roll is roll....telling double stroke roll isnt roll doesnt make sense...You have multiple types of rolls...single stroke roll,double stroke roll, buzz roll ... but each of them is roll. Roll is consistency sound...You have to listen guys like Tomas Pridgen, Gergo Borlai, Benny Greb, Eric Moore or Dave Weckl how to play double stroke roll...I'll bet you youwill not listen each strokes. Doesnt matter if is double stroke roll or single stroke roll...what you say is fairytale...roll have to by roll. Mainly if you teach how to play roll....maybe if you say "fast double strokes"...but this is not diuble stroke roll

[@rqdrums]

@@Drumchannel1 I wholeheartedly disagree and if you played what I do in my clip at an audition when asked to play a double stroke roll it would definitely be acceptable. If I thought what you're talking about was a necessary aspect of learning doubles, I would have included it. I urge you to make your own video so you can show the world the true meaning of a double stroke roll.

[@URAZKIVANER]

I am confused after watching your video .I see also 2 perfect videos like yours by pretty famous guys where they teach doubles with the ankle movements not fingers. And it teaches to be disciplined all the way to keep it consistent. Especially on the drumeo video the guy was talking about accenting the second stroke so that you do not loose power on the second one. Then I saw someone recommending push and pull for doubles and showing exactly one of the exercises you show as the beginning while learning that technic. And you are saying that this is not push and pull 😮 . Aren't you pushing anyways when you are playing because gravity alone does not create enough speed to create the first stroke after certain speed...

[@rqdrums]

Yeah I get the confusion. I think the real answer is just that it's a really compex technique. There's a whole bunch of different ways of playing doubles but experimenting with different techniques and exercises will get you closer to the sound and feel you're looking for. It sounds like you're getting caught up in how many different ways there are to play them but just focus on one at a time or whatever makes the most sense for you. Taking a lesson with someone in person would probably help as well. Hope that helps!

[@SpeedBoosted911]

Not for beginners, i gave up. Basic not explained and not shown

[@Gdaducky]

Keep practicing, im an 8th grade percussion student and have my doubles at around 150-160 gotta keep up the grind

[@beezymeech]

“It’s too hard and I don’t want to practice”

[@SpeedBoosted911]

@@beezymeech exactly :))

[@RichmondDrumLessonsBC]

Nice video But... There's no such thing as perfect!

[@rqdrums]

Haha I know. But we gotta try!

[@beerwig]

Yes there is... Kieth Carlock

[@rqdrums]

His doubles are insanely good!

[@danamiller1969]

you should credit your sources

[@rqdrums]

Not totally sure what you mean by that. I didn't take anything I said from a specific source really. Especially not from a book or a video in particular. My biggest influence for playing doubles like this is probably Brian Thurgood who is the drum teacher at MacEwan college in Edmonton as well as the percussionist for the Edmonton Symphony. Next after that would be my teachers from the University of North Texas. I studied drum set with Ed Soph for 3.5 years but we didn't really work on snare technique. I took snare lessons there with Paul Rennick (rudimental snare) and Christopher Deane (classical).

[@achrisinthemidwest]

Sources for roll rudiments? Are you honestly telling this guy to credit the Swiss military from the 1300s?

[@danamiller1969]

@@achrisinthemidwest

[@danamiller1969]

first, I want to thank you for sharing. My comment was not meant to be disrespectful. Doubles in my experience are the most difficult to master. This information is appreciated. I believe it is important to share where and and from whom the knowledge was attained.. so much info out there. it is nice to know the source.thank you. impressive list!.@@rqdrums

[@makemusicordie]

Seriously. This comment is the definition of what’s wrong with the comment section these days lol. Absurd. Dude didn’t say or share anything that hasn’t been in circulation for centuries and is standard info to teach in a drum lesson. Nothing of the copyright sort in here. He’s stealing nothing from no one, but rather, is gifting and sharing useful knowledge to others! Isn’t that what youtube is all about?! lol.

[@ultrablue7477]

The epitome of mediocrity.

[@rqdrums]

😂

[@xenprovence6126]

Please, you are moving your arms for each stroke. If you do YT video’s where you want to act like a know it all, do your research and about 5 years of practice before sit in front off a camera again.

[@rqdrums]

Thanks for the comment! I'm all for some constructive criticism but personally I don't think it really matters what you do with your arms if it sounds even. It's always nice when someone makes comments like yours when they have posted zero videos.

[@xenprovence6126]

You have essentially put your poor abilities on the equivalent of a billboard for every one to see. YT is not a club, it’s a weird type of public square. I can comment however I want and right now, I’m sick of seeing videos that are misinformed. Wrist turn for singles and wrist turn for doubles. Wrist Turn, that’s what it’s called to move the wrist and gain a rebound for the second tap resulting in doubles, later, after this is wrist turn is consistent, then one can lift the arm to do crescendo rolls. Watch Buddy Rich or Tony Williams. Learning to do double first without moving one’s arms is fundamental to drumming.

[@MelkMan7]

​@@xenprovence6126who hurt you bro?

[@iceburglettuce764]

@xenprovence6126 holy shit, it’s the fabled president of the Sticking Stickler Society! I’m surprised you still haven’t learned to get that stick out of your ass-probably haven’t made the time for it between pumping out all your own perfect instructional material. Oh, wait

[@AaronLevyDrums]

@@xenprovence6126 And here we have a prime example of gatekeeping. "Question the person who says there's only one way to do something"