Demonstration and Explanation of 6 Stroke Roll Possibilities

The 6 stroke roll is probably my favorite rudiment of all time, next to the single paradiddle. I like it not only for it’s awesome hand development/control properties, but also for it’s easy drum set application. It’s widely known that applying rudiments to the drum kit is a great method for developing creative groove and fill ideas, but some rudiments lend themselves to the kit better than others. Before I go any further, I have provided a written version of the sticking below.

I specifically like this rudiment for it’s various accent, and phrasing possibilities. You can add or take away various accents to create different ideas, and you can phrase the 6 notes as different note values over the same tempo to create changes in feel. If you gain control over these variations, you will eventually get to a point where you can mix and match them, while moving them around the kit to create endless solo and fill possibilities. I have provided a short video below demonstrating some of these concepts on a pad to give you an idea of what I am talking about. Sometime in the near future, I will do another post on this rudiment, but will demonstrate all of the ideas on a kit. Hope you enjoy!

Classic Hand Workout

I’m always looking for new hand exercises to challenge myself, and keep my hands in shape, but there are a few classic ones that every drummer should know about, and practice regularly. One of those exercises is called the paradiddle pyramid. Its one of the most popular hand workouts of all time, but it can help with many different things. The paradiddle pyramid consists of three essential rudiments: the single paradiddle, double paradiddle, and triple paradiddle. You start with the single, and proceed to play up and down these three rudiments in sequence. The workout is as follows: four single paradiddles, four double paradiddles, four triple paradiddles, four double paradiddles, and then repeat the entire cycle over and over. I like to set a timer for three to four minutes, and go through the cycle for that entire time without stopping or messing up at the fastest tempo I can handle. When doing this workout, always do it to a metronome, and move the tempo up gradually everyday as you get a better handle on it. To make sure you understand the exercise, I have notated the sticking for each individual rudiment.

: R L RR L R LL :

Single Paradiddle

: R L R L RR L R L R LL :

Double Paradiddle

: R L R L R L RR L R L R L R LL :

Triple Paradiddle

Below I have demonstrated the pyramid slowly, and then faster to give you an idea of what it sounds like at different tempos. Have fun with the exercise, and enjoy!

Paradiddle Pyramid 2x Through at 90 BPM

Paradiddle Pyramid 2x Through at 160 BPM