In this section, I will explore the history of the double stroke roll and the various short rolls within that category.
The Double Stroke Roll is the core of historic drumming and separates the decent drummer from the great drummer. It is very likely one of the original drum rudiments, probably originating shortly after the invention of counter hoops.
Want to learn more about the History of the Snare Drum?
Essentially, this rudiment is exactly what its name implies. By performing two strokes on one hand, then two strokes on the other, alternating back and forth as quickly as possible, the drum will produce a near continuous sound.
The Long Roll refers to a continuous Double Stroke Roll for several beats. Double Stroke Rolls can come in many shorter varieties, usually named by the distinct number of strokes that create them – such as the 7-Stroke Roll, 13-Stroke Roll, etc.
In the French, a Long Roll is called Roulement. But the shorter rolls are referred to as Ra de ##. The most important roll is the Ra Simple, or French 4-Stroke Roll.
Double Stroke Roll v. Buzzed Roll
For our modern ears, we should make sure to differentiate a Double Stroke Roll from a more modern Buzz Roll.
Buzz Rolls are created by pressing the stick into the drumhead. This pressure causes the drumstick to bounce rapidly against the drumhead, producing a “buzzing” sound. When you alternate the sticks rapidly with this kind of stroke, you produce a Buzz Roll.
If you imagine the sound of a Bagpipe Drummer, those rolls are really tight Buzz Rolls.
If you imagine an orchestra snare drum or a Legion Band marching snare drummer, those will most likely be more opened Buzz Rolls.
Buzz Rolls are really characterized by the continuousness of their sound.
Double Stroke Rolls, on the other hand, have a much more opened sound. When executed very well, you won’t hear any break in sound. But, at the same time, you’ll hear each stroke individually being performed.
A good Long Roll is often described as a “machine gun” with its continuous but sharp and distinct strokes.
How did Mersenne (1626) and Ménestrier (1681) describe the sound?
Why is making this distinction so important?
In the first place, Buzz Rolls are a relatively modern invention – probably a result of lighter sticks and tighter drum heads – and therefore have no place in historic drumming. This isn’t a judgement on the value of Buzz Rolls or the skill required to play them; it’s just a statement of historic fact.
In the second place, being well aware of the distinction between a Buzz Roll and a Double Stroke Roll helps us to keep in mind the stylistic differences in much of today’s modern drumming style and the historic, earlier style of drumming.
I’ll explain this thought more in-depth when I talk about Performing the Double Stroke Roll, but here I’ll say that it comes down to: who’s doing the work – The Sticks or The Hands?
In modern drumming, we often demand that the stick take on a lot of work to allow us to play faster and tighter. In historic drumming, the material of the drumsticks and animal hide drumheads simply don’t allow this and the arms carry most of the burden of playing.
To get a better sense of the history of the Double Stroke Roll, or Long Roll, take a look at my research:
Or, check out some of my lesson-oriented pages:
Do you have any questions or observations about performing Double Stroke Rolls in an historic manner? Contact me or comment below.