19 - The press roll
User Rating:
/ 0
- Details
- Written by Henrik
The press roll
When we drummers need to play a long note, we play a roll.
There are three different rolls:
-
Single stroke roll:
One stroke per hand - R-L-R-L- etc... in high speed..
This is easy to learn, but hard to perform well.
-
Double stroke roll:
Two notes per hand RR-LL-RR-LL etc... - first as wrist stroke, then a finger stroke.
This is harder to learn, but easy to perform.
-
Press roll:
Make the stick bounce by pressing your thumb and index finger against the stick.
This is easy to learn, and easy to perform.
Step 1
Play with your strong hand (right or left). Try to get a "Prrrrrrrrrrrrr" sound by tight bounces on the snare drum. If your can hear the individual notes (ta,ta,ta,ta etc.), you have to press tighter. If the sound is too short - loosen your grip a little
. 
-
A good press sound:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
-
To tight grip:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
-
To loose grip:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Repeat this with your "weak" hand and try to get both hand sound and feel the same. Look in a mirror to see that both hands have the same positioning and movement.
Step 2
Play quarter notes slowly with alternating hands. Don't try to make it into a "roll" just yet. Strive for an even rhythm and sound and making the press notes float into each other as much as possible.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Step 3
Double the rate to 8:th notes It's starting to sound like a roll now!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Step 4
Double up to 16:th notes!
Now you play like this:
....but should have this feeling - as a long, single press note:
It should sound something like this:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
....if you followed the instructions closely!
Slightly faster:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
It more important to focus on playing evenly than trying to compensate by playing fast.
The key to a good sounding press roll: even notes and a relaxed feel!
Phrasing and finishing the roll
End the roll by playing a single "clean" note. The length of the roll is notated, but play the roll subdivisions (here 16:th notes)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Eighth notes as rolls. Only two "press notes" per eighth note. Check the sticking!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen to these examples on how to use the press roll on drum kit.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Remember that sometimes the roll is subdivided as other rates then 16:th notes. That depends on the tempo of the song.
You always adjust the speed or rate of the roll to make it sound good - not to scattered and not to dense!
Good Luck!
Share this post
