rolls

Unlike most people in this NG, I started playing at age 26, almost 2 years ago. One thing I just can't seem to get the hang of is the double-stoke roll. The left hand just won't cooperate. Does anyone have suggestions or exercises (on or off the kit) they can recommend?

Hi Matt,

As condescending as it may sound the only answer is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! I've been playing for 18 years and I still spend time every week with a practice pad and a metronome and I practice rudiments. As time goes on and you speed up the metronome, your left hand will begin to cooperate more. I had the same trouble with my left hand (and still can't even come close to what my right hand can do) but the rudiments and the practice pad time along with the discipline of a metronome have done wonders for me. Some drummers swear by rudiments, some swear at them. I have found that even if I don't use them extensively in my playing, the practice and repetitiveness of doing them makes me a more disciplined and refined drummer. If you are having trouble with left hand work, focus on those rudiments that work your left hand alot. Hope this helps and congratulations on choosing one of the finest instruments to play, for on the drums, our creativity is limitless.

Quoting the bible starts flames!!!!

Practicing on a pillow always worked for me. It helps your chops, so when you go to a snare you can control the bounce better. Practicing on the floor tom also has the same affect. Turtle Rolls are a great exercise for the double stroke too.

Thanks for the input. What's a turtle roll?

Well, just because this phrase is from the Bible doesn't make it any less true or valuable for those who read it and I have not been 'flamed' yet. In fact, many people ask where the phrase comes from because it makes a ton of sense and they are surprised to find that it is in the Bible. And yet, they don't flame me because now they know it's from the Bible.

So that you get both your strokes the same volume start off by doing singles slow enough so that you can then double the same tempo...but not bounce them yet..just two singles with each hand..then swap back to singles....

R L R L R L R L R R L L R R L L R L R L R L R L etc etc. If you've been playing for 2 years..and don't have a teacher..I recomend one So you grip the stick correctly and all that...and yeah..as is said above...just practise...practise makes perfect...

Hate to tell ya, but there is no easy solution. I've been playing since I was 8 (I'm 15 now) and the only easy thing I can say is start out using matched grip. Once you get the fundamentals of matched, it's easier to apply them to traditional grip. Although, if you are already playing matched, this probably doesn't help you much. Also, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE LONG ROLL (slow-fast-slow)!