A flam involves a main note and a “grace note”. Grace Notes are very light notes played immediately before the main note.

When reading drum notation, these lighter notes are shown on the stave with a small diagonal line going through them, from the bottom left to the top right. This shows that they have no time value and should be played as close to the main note as possible. They are played a lot softer than the main note, enhancing the beat.

The flam is difficult to execute and requires a lot of practice. In a left hand flam the left hand comes down slightly after the right, whilst in a right hand flam the right hand comes down immediately after the left. Continue reading →

A paradiddle is the name given to one of the core drum rudiments. It is an eight stroke pattern, with the sticking RLRR LRLL. This sequence is fantastic for improving stick independence and control. Once again, this is a rudiment that is best practised with a metronome to ensure the timing remains constant and you don’t speed up or slow down during the rudiment.

Once built up to speed, the double (RR or LL) requires complete control over the bounce of the stick. Using the fingers to guide the stick’s rebound will become common at faster tempos. The single paradiddle should be practised everyday as it lays the foundations for much more complicated rudiments you will need to learn in the future. Continue reading →

The single stroke roll is one of the most essential drum rudiments that drummers must know. Although it is a very simple pattern, a lot of skills can be gained from practising it everyday.

The pattern is very simple; right, left, right, left, right, left. I would advise you to practise the single stroke roll to a metronome and bump the bpm up 2 beats or so when you are quite confident with the speed you are playing at.

The single stroke roll is excellent for improving balance, stamina, strength and speed. The most important aspect to focus on is stick technique. Holding the sticks wrong or using only the arm could become a dangerous habit. The single stroke roll requires the wrist and fingers to do most the work. This way, drummers will build up their speed and endurance. Continue reading →