The snare drum roll is created by playing alternating strokes R L R L etc, and letting the stick buzz on the drum head while you do this. In order to play a buzz you have to control the stick so that it stays on the drum head with just enough pressure. If there is […]
How to Play a Paradiddle
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RLRR LRLL The para- diddle is the most important rudiment of them all because contained within this short 4 note rudiment are the two essential building blocks of snare drumming technique Practice your para-diddles so that you can play them in your sleep or at least whenever you want to. Practice your para-diddles going from […]
How to Play an Open Stroke Snare Drum Roll
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The open stroke snare drum roll is simply playing RRLLRRLLRRLLRLLRLLRRLLRRLLRRLL and in order to develop control you want to practice playing from very slow to as fast as you can play and then slow back down to the speed where you started. The goal of this roll exercise is to speed up and slow down […]
How to Practice Snare Drum Rudiments without Getting Bored
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There’s a lot to learn if you want to be a great drummer and you can’t be a great drummer if you don’t practice. Sometimes practicing things like rudiments and exercises can get a little boring, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Take a look at this video that explains what I’m talking […]
How to Mute the Timpani
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It is sometimes necessary to use mutes when you are playing timpani. Mutes cut down on the resonance of the drums so that rhythmic clarity can be heard, to create a special musical effect or to have the timpani sound blend with a small orchestra that is playing early classical or baroque music. Timpani Muting […]
How to Play Very Fast Cymbal Crashes
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Playing very fast cymbal crashes is possible if you learn how to do the Multi Flap Stroke. The Multi Flap is a technique name coined by Frank Epstein in his book Cymbalisms and is very effective. To execute this technique you hold the left cymbal still and vertical. Place the bottom of the right cymbal […]
How to Play a Cymbal Crash in 11 Steps
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Frank Epstein was the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Cymbalist for 40 years and during his reign as the cymbal master with this world class orchestra he developed his treatise on cymbal playing technique entitled “Cymbalisms”. Mr. Epstein created an eleven part step by step process for the percussionist to develop their cymbal stroke and he describes […]
