As a self taught drummer for over 10 years I naturally developed this technique for buzz rolls, it's nice to get confirmation that I was doing it right the whole time thanks for your videos they're good for beginners and old drummers appreciate it
Steven, thank , you for your down to earth, non-glamorous lessons. You are providing all of us with a very valuable and appreciated service. Have a great weekend, and if you have any, don’t forget to give your kids a big hug and kiss just because you can.
The buzz toll is one of the techniques I've always wanted to develop along with the flam. One thing I discovered is that orchestral snare drummers use triples
Art Blakey had a great press roll and used it quite dynamically. One of the great examples that I play for my students is "Moanin'" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He does a crescendo with press roll coming out of the head (AABA) into the first solo chorus. Also, fives can be used for the skeleton rhythm (aka skeletal rhythm, aka rhythmic base) on some of the in between tempi (16th triplets (6 per beat) are moving too fast, and 16th notes (4 per beat) are too slow). For example, five per beat can work nicely in the range of 85bpm.
Because I have always used a traditional grip, I have developed a decent buzz roll using that technique. That said, I’m going to try using the matched grip to strengthen my left…weaker…hand. Also, have you ever tried overlapping the double stroke. When you can do that, it smooths the roll and makes a roll that sounds like very fast singles. I do that by starting the roll with a flam like start so the stick in the opposite hand you start with hits the drum before the stick you start with hits the drum on it’s second hit. I find I can keep this technique going by feel,once I get it properly started.
Thanks, Stephen, one of my favorite short buzz rolls is in the Eric Clapton studio version of J.J.Cale's Cocaine. Probably played by the notoriously great Jamie Oldaker.
Stephen, I've been utilizing this technique since the mid-late 60's. It was taught to me by John Kassica whom I was taking tympani lessons from at the time. Jeff Seitz also taught a buzz technique that he learned from Paul Goodman. Both these gentleman are truly great Drummers and Percussionists. And, They're still alive. John retired from the St.Louis Symphony Orchestra and still does clinics and Summer music programs. Jeff still plays in bands and does music production. You should get them on your podcast.
Really good lesson Steven. I love the open/buzz roll in the James Taylor song "Your Smiling Face." The roll comes after the lyric "now I'm sure I won't forget ya" and before the lyric "and I thank my lucky stars." Great roll played by the great tasty drummer Russ Kunkel. This song will also challenge your one handed 16th note hi-hat chops, which makes the clean roll even more remarkable at this song's tempo and feel.
Ringo does it on Nowhere Man on the transition from the verse to the chorus. He only does it on the recorded version. He didn't do it when they played it live.
I love your videos because I really do learn something new every time!!! I am really curious as to what it sounds like when you do it on a wood table like you mentioned.
Thanks for the lesson, Stephen! After 50 years I'm still not satisfied with my buzz roll, perhaps these tips will help me out. A few of my favorite songs with iconic buzz rolls are: Complex beat, buzzes throughout: 50 Way To Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon) Super smooth intro: Sunny (Bobby Hebb) Cheers!
Art Blakey has an amazing buzz roll. Very smooth with excellent control over the volume. Some great examples would be the original Thelonius Monk recording of "Straight No Chaser" or Art Blakey's "Moanin'" with his Jazz Messengers group. I have been trying to get close to that with mixed results at times. This video presents a way to approach buzz rolls that I had not yet tried. I tried it the variable pressure technique a few time while watching the video and it does improve the smoothness and consistency from both hands.
Do a video on what drum heads make which sounds.... Which heads give a deeper bass? What about a sharp snare? 80s new wave sound... use these heads.. i hope you get the idea.
Great lesson sir! Always good to brush up on our chops. On of my favorite buzz roll song introductions is the song “Rough Housing” by .38 special. A buzz roll that goes right into HH barks. Let me know what you think…
This really helped me out, thanks! I need to get my buzz-rolls in order so I can play "Hell Is For Children" By Pat Benetar. The "buzz-roll into backbeat" coming into the song is killer.
Hi Stephen - great clarification of the process, the thumb roll over & applications. etc. Howeveer I have seen many drummers drag the stick sideways across the head to get a longer buzz and help prevent any gap between the buzzes. You didn't mention this technique so I wonder what your thoughts are on this technique. Cheers Owen
Whilst I do enjoy these instructional videos, and it’s interesting to hear different ways to achieve certain things, I’m not totally convinced by this technique, given the amount of wrist movement. It seems counter intuitive to use a slow technique for a rudiment that is played fast. Classical percussionist and drumline players seem to have the smoothest buzz rolls and seem to be to be going more towards eliminating the wrist altogether and playing from the arm. I guess whatever works for the individual though….
You can still do it using the traditional grip ,look at the top jazz drummers, but if you are playing loud I think the matched grip is more comfortable
I just wish that you drum teachers would show you playing with music with other musicians How you play to a song with other people. I’ve seen a lot of drummers who can rip around the kit but when they play in a musical setting they have problems It w2ould be nice to see how you play and relate to other musicans
Stephen thanks for the buzz lesson, these have been defying me for years. I’m struggling a bit with this one, I get that you slightly rotate the stick for the buzz, but at the higher rates I can’t seem to get it back to the ‘starting position’, ready to rotate again. Does that make sense? Or am I really missing something haha
I love the way Carter McLean uses press rolls in his grooves, here's an example from his Drumeo lesson on youtube: ua-cam.com/video/7k_8XTVMWvE/v-deo.html
Don't know why you use so much stick height in your slow demonstration as you want to soften the initial contact to create a smoother roll sound. I'd suggest using less stick height so that the buzz strokes smooth out more or your roll will sound choppy.
Check out the song, “Trilogy” by Allgood Music Company. It’s got a nice buzz roll leading into a chorus. Btw, your I learned a lot from your how-to-learn-a-song course.
Way too much talking on this one…and if you have 3 songs in mind that demonstrate the buzz roll, play the songs. Plus, discuss the relationship between open, closed (buzz), and press roll. Thanks for your time (pun intended). Lol.
As a self taught drummer for over 10 years I naturally developed this technique for buzz rolls, it's nice to get confirmation that I was doing it right the whole time thanks for your videos they're good for beginners and old drummers appreciate it
I’ve really wanted to master a buzz roll in recent years, but had no idea how. Thank you. I will now start practicing this technique.
The end of One Way Out - Allman Brothers is a great buzz roll that always comes to mind. Also All You need is love has a beautiful roll in the intro.
Steven, thank , you for your down to earth, non-glamorous lessons. You are providing all of us with a very valuable and appreciated service. Have a great weekend, and if you have any, don’t forget to give your kids a big hug and kiss just because you can.
The buzz toll is one of the techniques I've always wanted to develop along with the flam. One thing I discovered is that orchestral snare drummers use triples
Art Blakey had a great press roll and used it quite dynamically. One of the great examples that I play for my students is "Moanin'" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He does a crescendo with press roll coming out of the head (AABA) into the first solo chorus.
Also, fives can be used for the skeleton rhythm (aka skeletal rhythm, aka rhythmic base) on some of the in between tempi (16th triplets (6 per beat) are moving too fast, and 16th notes (4 per beat) are too slow). For example, five per beat can work nicely in the range of 85bpm.
Because I have always used a traditional grip, I have developed a decent buzz roll using that technique. That said, I’m going to try using the matched grip to strengthen my left…weaker…hand.
Also, have you ever tried overlapping the double stroke. When you can do that, it smooths the roll and makes a roll that sounds like very fast singles.
I do that by starting the roll with a flam like start so the stick in the opposite hand you start with hits the drum before the stick you start with hits the drum on it’s second hit. I find I can keep this technique going by feel,once I get it properly started.
Thanks, Stephen, one of my favorite short buzz rolls is in the Eric Clapton studio version of J.J.Cale's Cocaine. Probably played by the notoriously great Jamie Oldaker.
This was the first thing I learned to do on the drums. Jazz drummer use them a lot more than pop or rock drummers.
Great lesson. Some songs with good buzz rolls
Portishead - Mysterons
The Mars Volta - Concertina
Prime taste!
I like the buzz rolls in Gotan Project's "Amor Porteño", the drummer being Calexico's John Convertino.
Paul Simon...50 ways to leave your lover. Love your step by step lessons. Thanks
Stephen, I've been utilizing this technique since the mid-late 60's. It was taught to me by John Kassica whom I was taking tympani lessons from at the time. Jeff Seitz also taught a buzz technique that he learned from Paul Goodman. Both these gentleman are truly great Drummers and Percussionists. And, They're still alive. John retired from the St.Louis Symphony Orchestra and still does clinics and Summer music programs. Jeff still plays in bands and does music production. You should get them on your podcast.
Really good lesson Steven. I love the open/buzz roll in the James Taylor song "Your Smiling Face." The roll comes after the lyric "now I'm sure I won't forget ya" and before the lyric "and I thank my lucky stars." Great roll played by the great tasty drummer Russ Kunkel. This song will also challenge your one handed 16th note hi-hat chops, which makes the clean roll even more remarkable at this song's tempo and feel.
Wishbone Ash .. track called Handy, on their first album. The studio version, where Steve Upton is playing it. (it's a long track)
Ringo does it on Nowhere Man on the transition from the verse to the chorus. He only does it on the recorded version. He didn't do it when they played it live.
Ringo also plays a nice buzz roll at the beginning of "All You Need is Love."
I love your videos because I really do learn something new every time!!! I am really curious as to what it sounds like when you do it on a wood table like you mentioned.
Thanks for the lesson, Stephen! After 50 years I'm still not satisfied with my buzz roll, perhaps these tips will help me out. A few of my favorite songs with iconic buzz rolls are:
Complex beat, buzzes throughout: 50 Way To Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon)
Super smooth intro: Sunny (Bobby Hebb)
Cheers!
There is a great drum roll early on in Telstar by the Tornados [2 bars long] from 1961
Art Blakey has an amazing buzz roll. Very smooth with excellent control over the volume. Some great examples would be the original Thelonius Monk recording of "Straight No Chaser" or Art Blakey's "Moanin'" with his Jazz Messengers group. I have been trying to get close to that with mixed results at times. This video presents a way to approach buzz rolls that I had not yet tried. I tried it the variable pressure technique a few time while watching the video and it does improve the smoothness and consistency from both hands.
Jimmy Chamberlin from Smashing Pumpkins uses it a lot. For exampel intro to Cherub rock on Siamese Dreams 🎼🥁🎼🥁🎼
Queen - Inuendo. Long intro buzz roll and (I'm not sure) short buzzes around the 4:25 & 4:50 mark???
This idea is going to work great in the intro to a song I'm working on.
Do a video on what drum heads make which sounds.... Which heads give a deeper bass? What about a sharp snare? 80s new wave sound... use these heads..
i hope you get the idea.
The Blakey Beat Benchmark on Along Came Betty
Great lesson sir! Always good to brush up on our chops. On of my favorite buzz roll song introductions is the song “Rough Housing” by .38 special. A buzz roll that goes right into HH barks. Let me know what you think…
Love this lesson!! Thnx so much!!
Stanton Moore always uses buzzes. Almost most of his songs. He uses them as fills
This really helped me out, thanks! I need to get my buzz-rolls in order so I can play "Hell Is For Children" By Pat Benetar. The "buzz-roll into backbeat" coming into the song is killer.
Thank you!!! This is so helpfull😃
Hi Stephen - great clarification of the process, the thumb roll over & applications. etc.
Howeveer I have seen many drummers drag the stick sideways across the head to get a longer buzz and help prevent any gap between the buzzes. You didn't mention this technique so I wonder what your thoughts are on this technique. Cheers Owen
Whilst I do enjoy these instructional videos, and it’s interesting to hear different ways to achieve certain things, I’m not totally convinced by this technique, given the amount of wrist movement. It seems counter intuitive to use a slow technique for a rudiment that is played fast. Classical percussionist and drumline players seem to have the smoothest buzz rolls and seem to be to be going more towards eliminating the wrist altogether and playing from the arm. I guess whatever works for the individual though….
You can still do it using the traditional grip ,look at the top jazz drummers, but if you are playing loud I think the matched grip is more comfortable
I switched the fulcrum to the second finger as well
I just wish that you drum teachers would show you playing with music with other musicians How you play to a song with other people. I’ve seen a lot of drummers who can rip around the kit but when they play in a musical setting they have problems It w2ould be nice to see how you play and relate to other musicans
Spot on!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼
Roger Taylor plays an epic buzz roll at the very beginning of Innuendo by Queen.
Stratus by Billy Cobham has a buzz roll start
Stephen thanks for the buzz lesson, these have been defying me for years. I’m struggling a bit with this one, I get that you slightly rotate the stick for the buzz, but at the higher rates I can’t seem to get it back to the ‘starting position’, ready to rotate again. Does that make sense? Or am I really missing something haha
Nice lesson stephan.
You can think as whipping cream as i learned.
Oh also, great advice alternating between check pattern (aka skeletal) buzzes. 👍
Barbra Streisand "guilty" (Steve Gadd)
I like how Jojo does this with 1 hand...
The intro to Interstae
Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots.
I love the way Carter McLean uses press rolls in his grooves, here's an example from his Drumeo lesson on youtube: ua-cam.com/video/7k_8XTVMWvE/v-deo.html
He's such a beast!!!
Don't know why you use so much stick height in your slow demonstration as you want to soften the initial contact to create a smoother roll sound. I'd suggest using less stick height so that the buzz strokes smooth out more or your roll will sound choppy.
Check out the song, “Trilogy” by Allgood Music Company. It’s got a nice buzz roll leading into a chorus. Btw, your I learned a lot from your how-to-learn-a-song course.
Gov't Mule - Worried Down With The Blues - The Deep End Vol. 1
Beverly Hills - Weezer. If this is It - Huey Lewis
Cherub Rock entro
Smashing Pumpkins
It starts exactly 1 minute into the video.
Dirty buzz roll in the intro of Certainty by Big Thief: ua-cam.com/video/v1eypolupH0/v-deo.htmlsi=zdzixEM5pfPXnfHA
This is the first thing at Orchestra audition. If it's not good, they move on to the next person.
Buzz roll... Bruce Springsteen "Born in the USA"
im not human
i don't have a week hand
Marching band trap music 🤣🤣🤣
Big Empty, Stone Temple Pilots
Way too much talking on this one…and if you have 3 songs in mind that demonstrate the buzz roll, play the songs. Plus, discuss the relationship between open, closed (buzz), and press roll. Thanks for your time (pun intended). Lol.
SPACETRUCKIN DP. Longest press Roll on Record : Ian Paice 🥁