Double Strokes | Snare Drum Technique
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- Опубліковано 24 вер 2024
- Double Strokes | Snare Drum Technique
www.jonathancu...
In this video I discuss the technical aspect of the double stroke roll. One of the fundamental stroke type and prominent on virtually all drumming traditions, it is nevertheless one of the most difficult techniques to get right.
Here, I explore the role of the fulcrum, fingers, and wrists, and how they must work together to produce a clean and controlled stroke.
This video forms part of a project funded by Arts Council England.
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One-to-one lessons available for drum kit and solo snare drum, conducted in the studio or online via video call.
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Articulate, considered and very informative. Thank you!
Thank you Tim, I really appreciate your kind words. Best of luck with your own playing 💪
Wow!! Great in depth lesson, great content. Just, wow!
Thanks Fellipe, I'm glad you liked it. If you want more like this, there are lots of similar videos on my channel. You might be interested in my website, too: www.jonathancurtis.co.uk. Best wishes, Jonathan.
@@JCurtisDrums Already checking the snare drum technique playlist and loving it! Thanks!
Oh, great. I’m uploading a new one right now. It’s about an hour away.
Great. I love the insane extent to which you've contemplated this stuff. I have experienced something similar in my evolution of understanding technique but not at the same depth and definitley not at the same beautiful level of execution. Thanks for going into so much detail.
Thanks Joe, I always appreciate your kind comments. I suppose this is something where I've found my voice, so to speak. I really enjoy the analysis and conceptual discussion around the act of learning and practising, and the precision of snare drumming really allows for that, I feel. I have also got a lot of experience of not being able to play what I wanted due to technical deficiencies, so not only am I able to bring (what I feel to be) correct and productive information, but contextualise alongside what I personally know does NOT work.
@@JCurtisDrums You've provided an extra dimension to the subject that is often missed. So many people proclaiming this or that to be the solution to technical challenges but, as you say, everyone needs to explore the possibilities and arrive at their own conclusions. 🙏
Thank you so much! Great lesson 👌
Thank you very much (and sorry for the slow reply!). I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'd love to hear how you're getting on with your own double strokes. Feel free to drop me a line through my website (www.jonathancurtis.co.uk). You might be interested in some of my technical studies from an upcoming snare book - I can happily email you a few to try!
I love the sound of this snare/practice pad, what is it. Far more musical than a standard practice pad.
Yeah I really enjoy it. It’s the Sabian version of the Quiet Tone. It’s sitting on top of my snare drum with the snares off. It really works well. Thanks for the comment.
Hello. My left hand in matched grip starts to go in circles(the stick that is). What is this about and what do I do? Thanks! Great playing.
Hi Paul. Thanks for your kind comments. That's a really common issue, and is generally linked to the fulcrum. Essentially, when you understand the role of the fulcrum correctly, you will find that the thumb needs to be strong, holding the stick firmly in place. If the fulcrum, especially the thumb, is weak, the stick will wobble and rotate like you describe.
In case you haven't seen them already, have a look at these two videos:
- Developing the Fulcrum: ua-cam.com/video/POy7XHM654o/v-deo.html
- Developing the Weak Hand: ua-cam.com/video/aDaPGvI_EIY/v-deo.html
Let me know if this helps.
@@JCurtisDrums thank you. Very helpful. Makes perfect sense. I’ll work on it.
Hi Jonathon. Just discovered your material quite recently. I mainly play drum set. My question is...At high speed (on doubles) do you squeeze/put more pressure between your your thumb and index finger?
I have found I do this and also (as you mentioned) my forearms come in to play almost to the point of 'hinging' from the elbows. I'm talking both about power and speed.
You've obviously given a lot of careful analytical thought to your presentations.
Regards, Graeme from Australia.
Hi Graeme,
Thanks for the message. Whereabouts in Australia are you? My wife is from the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. We're heading over there in November for our family visit. I think it must be my 12th time there, coming up!
It's always difficult to talk about "squeezing" when discussing technique. When we play fast, such as playing fast double strokes, there is a lot of energy moving through the sticks. Each rebound comes with a lot of kinetic force that comes up through the stick, fingers, hands, and arms. Simply, if we aren't holding on tightly enough, we will drop the stick. However, when saying that, it is easy to misconstrue it as tension, or "squeezing" in a bad way.
The fact is, simple physics mean that we need to be holding the stick with enough force to maintain a strong grip while the stick is in motion. This means that, for all intents and purposes, the faster we play, the harder we hold on. This should be taken with a caveat however. It is possible to play very fast with a very relaxed grip, but "fast" and "relaxed" here are relative. How fast is "fast", and how relaxed is "relaxed"?
Much of my own practice is founded on maintaining a balance between a strong fulcrum and relaxed technique. Perhaps this is the way to think about it: we need a strong and firm fulcrum, as opposed to a "squeeze". It is difficult to differentiate the two practically, but conceptually, it helps us redefine what we are doing. It is indisputable that, when I am playing at my absolute fastest, I am gripping the sticks hard. If I don't, the sticks will be dropped. We always try to maintain as relaxed grip as possible, but we simply have to be holding the sticks strongly enough to at least not drop them!
I would encourage you to keep going with your own analysis. It is the basis for all of my own knowledge. Crucially, I'd encourage you to practise your doubles (and your technique generally) in context. By this, I mean practising pieces of the repertoire, rather than simply playing double strokes for hours on end. The actual application of the technique is where the practical improvement will happen. This was the basis for my book The Snare Drum Virtuoso, and is, I think, where the real benefits come from. As you are applying your double strokes in a certain way, your technique will adapt and change in ways that simply repeating double strokes won't allow for.
@@JCurtisDrumsHi again Jonathon.
I live on the north side of Brisbane. My Grandkids live at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. Small world ay wot?
I've been struggling with my technique ever since I was more or less forced to swap to matched grip. Trying to stop tension in my left bicep and left upper chest area. No problems on the right side.
They say being aware is half the battle. I've been battling for about 3 years.
Getting to be an "Old Fart" now.😁
Be getting warm on the "Sunny Coast" in November.
Regards,
Graeme.🥁
Great vid. What's your opinion on a back of the hand/pinkie grip?
Hi there. Thanks for the kind words. Are you talking about the grip as described by Moeller in the Moeller Book? I think there’s value there, and it was interesting to play with it and explore how it feels.
I believe it is intended for volume, more than anything else. Moeller’s teachings are from a period of rope tension drums and hide heads, where rebound and feel are very different.
I wouldn’t teach it, and I don’t use it; I am not convinced it lends itself particularly well to the modern vocabulary that I play, but that is a personal choice. As I say in this video, grip is a personal tool that has to work for you.
I do think it’s important that the back of the hand and little finger are engaged in the stroke, and the little finger can wrap around to aid in holding on to the stick, but I feel the majority of the control comes from the fulcrum and fingers.
Good question.