Buzz Rolls

All about developing buzz rolls. Technique and roll bases.
Buzz rolls (aka multiple-bounce rolls, concert rolls, crush rolls) are a super important technique; they're one way percussionists achieve the 'illusion of sustain'.

— GEAR USED —
14 by 6.5 inch Pearl Symphonic Maple Snare Drum
Pearl Concert Snare Stand (S710)
Remo Diplomat Coated Batter Head
Remo Ambassador Snare Side Head
Vic Firth American Classic 2B sticks

— CONTENTS —
00:00 - Rolls are Important
00:27 - Grip Setup
00:57 - Arm & Elbow Activation
01:15 - Buzz Mechanics
01:39 - Soft Rolls (≤ piano)
01:54 - Stick Overlap
02:12 - Head Pressure
02:43 - Soft Buzz Overlap Demonstration
03:07 - Adding Pulse Speed
03:33 - Mezzo-Piano Rolls
03:47 - Density, Overlap, Speed
04:04 - Mezzo-Forte Rolls
04:27 - Loud Rolls (≥ Forte)
05:13 - Grip Pressure
05:33 - Shoulder Activation
05:51 - 1st "Rule" for Rolls: Connection
06:20 - 2nd "Rule" for Rolls: 'Spikes'
06:42 - Stopping the Buzz
07:03 - Roll Bases: Match Speed to Dynamic
07:29 - 72 BPM Roll Bases
09:47 - 96 BPM Roll Bases
11:35 - 120 BPM Roll Bases
12:50 - Fancy Bases at 120 BPM
14:03 - Stickings in Roll Bases

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Background Music Credit:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

[koostillio]

Great lessons! Hope you will continue no matter what!❤

[graememcdonald]

Just discovered this (1st October 2023 Australia).👍👍 I spent a considerable time as an Army percussionist (Mainly drums)
I've read the expression "Untimed rolls" for Timpani. Have noticed a number of timp players do a little "rush" to finish a roll on their favored hand.
A difficulty I have encountered from time to time is playing a roll under a pause and trying to cut off with the conductor. Sometimes got a little lost as to where my hands were at.
One orchestral drummer suggested I think triplets, thus avoiding any unbalanced sound in the roll. 'Thievish Magpie' comes to mind
I pretty much play a roll the way you do. A lot of of extra pressure on high volume as you said, and slower agitation at low volumes. I have never really gone into the rhythmic groupings the way you have demonstrated. I tend to tense up at times on certain rolls even though I produce a pretty good sound.
I'll be back to check out more of your stuff.🥁

[daveturner]

Absolutely the best video on buzz rolls anywhere! Thank you. Could you do one on double stroke rolls? I am having a lot of trouble playing ‘O Canada’. In one MuseScore version there are 64th note rolls for 1 and 1 1/2 and 2 beats, so 16, 24, and 32 hits. I can’t come anywhere near this, but would like to know the correct technique to learn slow and work up to say 104 bpm. Thanks in advance, love this channel.

[derschlagzeuger-florianbon]

Great tutorial !!!
Please make one lesson for a double stroke roll - traditional grip.🥁
Bulgarian drummer.