Part 3 · Rudiments · Chapter 27

The Single Stroke Roll

The single stroke roll is simply alternating hands: R L R L. It sounds easy, but making both hands sound exactly the same takes years to master.

EXAMPLE 27.1Building speed
TEMPO

Quarter notes, then eighths, then sixteenths, all with alternating sticking.

EXAMPLE 27.2Left-hand lead
TEMPO

The same roll, starting with the left hand. Your weaker hand needs this.

EXAMPLE 27.3Accented singles
TEMPO

Accent every third note. The accent moves between the hands.

Listen, don’t lookTIP

Close your eyes and listen. If you can tell which hand is playing, the two hands aren’t even yet.

← 26. What Are Rudiments?28. The Double Stroke Roll →